Jafar Panahi received the Sydney Film Prize, winning the official competition with IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT.

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Jafar Panahi received the Sydney Film Prize, winning the official competition with IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT.

Last night, the Sydney Film Festival closed with a night to remember at the Closing Night Ceremony. Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi received the Sydney Film Prize, winning the Official Competition for his astonishing masterpiece IT WAS JUST AN ACCIDENT. Panahi accepted the award in person to an emotional standing ovation from the audience.

The jury, led by director Justin Kurzel, remarked that the winner was “a courageous film with a deep soul and a powerful sense of forgiveness. It has outstanding performances and an understated authority which is brimming with truth”.

$200,000 was awarded in total between 10 awards given over the night to support filmmakers (full list of winners below), before the closing night screening of the hilarious SPLITSVILLE. Director, writer and star Michael Angelo Covino joined Festival Director Nashen Moodley on stage to introduce the film, and wrap the Festival with audiences in all smiles.

It was also announced on stage that the 72nd Sydney Film Festival was the best-selling Festival in SFF history – a testament to the extraordinary talent of the filmmakers on screen, and to the vibrant cinema culture alive in Sydney. Thank you all for making SFF 2025 such a success!

Documentary Australia Award

SONGS INSIDE

The Documentary Australia Award is supported by Documentary Australia with a $20,000 cash prize acknowledging excellence in Australian documentary production.

The jury remarked: “The film was so intimate and rewarding, we cared so much for its incarcerated characters, it completely touched our hearts.”

First Nations Award

WILFRED BUCK

The First Nations Award, supported by Truant Pictures is the largest cash prize in global Indigenous filmmaking, rewarding $35,000 and showcasing diverse ideas and rich perspectives from Indigenous storytellers.

The jury remarked: “A mesmerising and insightful film filled with poetry, and quiet humour that warms our hearts while transporting us to another realm of possibilities and experience.”

Dendy Awards

Five Prizes Awarded

See the winners of the Dendy Awards for Australian short films, each winner received $7,000 cash, including Best Live Action Short to FACELESS and Rouben Mamoulian Award for Best Director to Rory Pearson for MATES.

Sustainable Futures Award

FLOODLANDS

The Sustainable Future Award, supported by SFF donors, is presented to a narrative or documentary film of any length that deepens our knowledge and awareness of the impact of the global climate emergency with a $40,000 cash prize.

The jury remarked: “Floodlands takes the audience on a journey filled with beauty, plot twists and heartbreak”