Iran Sentences Filmmaker Jafar Panahi to Prison

Iran's Revolutionary Court has sentenced acclaimed filmmaker Jafar Panahi to one year in prison in absentia on charges of propaganda activities against the state, his lawyer Mostafa Nili announced Monday. The ruling, delivered by a Tehran court, also includes a two-year ban on leaving the country and a prohibition on membership in political or social groups. Nili stated that Panahi's legal team plans to appeal the decision.

The verdict came as Panahi, 65, was in New York City accepting multiple honors for his latest film, "It Was Just an Accident," at the Gotham Awards on December 1. The movie swept its three nominated categories, winning for best director, original screenplay, and international feature. In his acceptance speech for best screenplay, Panahi dedicated the award to independent filmmakers worldwide, saying, "I would like to dedicate the honour of this award to independent filmmakers in Iran and around the world, filmmakers who keep the camera rolling in silence, without support, and at times by risking everything they have, only with their faith in truth and humanity." He added, "I hope that this dedication will be considered a small tribute to all filmmakers who...