Iranian authorities offered no reaction on Sunday after dissident filmmaker Jafar Panahi won the Cannes Film Festival’s top prize for his political drama. Panahi, 64, was awarded the Palme d’Or on Saturday night for “It Was Just an Accident” - a film in which five Iranians confront a man they believe tortured them in prison. A story inspired by his own time in detention, it had led critics’ polls throughout the week at Cannes.

The win has so far been met with silence from Iran’s government and ignored by the state broadcaster, which instead focused on a state-aligned “Resistance” film festival. The conservative Fars news agency suggested the jury’s choice was politically motivated, saying it was “not uninfluenced by the political issues surrounding Jafar Panahi inside Iran”. Reformist newspapers Etemad, Shargh and Ham Mihan reported the win on their websites but did not feature it on their front pages, possibly due to the timing of the announcement.

US actor John C. Reilly sings on stage.

Belgian co-Producer Luc Dardenne and Belgian co-Producer Jean-Pierre Dardenne celebrate on stage next to US actor John C. Reilly after winning the Best Screenplay prize for the film "Jeunes Meres" (The Young Mother's Home).

Iranian director and screenwriter and producer Jafar Panahi (right) and his team celebrate on stage after winning the Palme d'Or for the film Un "Un simple accident" (A Simple Accident).

Iranian director and screenwriter and producer Jafar Panahi poses on stage after winning the Palme d'Or for the film "Un simple accident" (A Simple Accident).

Palestinian director Tawfeek Barhom (left) poses with Director Adnan Al Rajeev during a photocall after winning the Short Film Prize for the film "I'm Glad You're Dead Now".

British director Akinola Davies Jr poses on a photocall after receiving a special mention of the Camera d'Or prize for the film "My Father's Shadow", next to Italian director and screenwriter and president of the camera d'or jury Alice Rohrwacher and Iraqi director Hasan Hadi winner of the Camera d'Or prize for the film "The President's Cake".

French-Spanish film director Oliver Laxe poses during a photocall after winning ex-aequo the Jury Prize for the film "Sirat".

Chinese director and screenwriter Bi Gan poses for a photocall after receiving a Special Prize for the film "Kuang ye shi dai" (Resurrection).

Brazilian Director Kleber Mendonca Filho poses with his partner French film producer Emilie Lesclaux during a photocall after winning the Best Director prize for the film "O Agente Secreto" (The Secret Agent) and with the Best Actor Prize on behalf of Brazilian actor Wagner Moura.

Norwegian director and screenwriter Joachim Trier (center) poses with (from left) US actress Elle Fanning, Norwegian actress Inga Ibsdotter Lilleaas, Norwegian actress Renate Reinsve and Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgard during a photocall after winning the Grand Prix for the film "Affeksjonsverdi" (Sentimental Value).

French actress Nadia Melliti poses during a photocall with her trophy after she won the Best Actress Prize for her part in the film "La Petite derniere" ("The Little Sister", alternatively called "The Last One").

Panahi, who has been banned from filmmaking since 2010 and jailed multiple times, addressed the Cannes audience with a call for national unity. He confirmed plans to return to Iran immediately. Asked on Saturday night if he feared arrest, he said: “Not at all. Tomorrow we are leaving.” This marks only the second time an Iranian director has won the Palme d’Or, after the late Abbas Kiarostami received the honour for “Taste of Cherry” in 1997. Both directors faced bans throughout their careers. — AFP