New York, Dec. 2 -- Iranian filmmaker Jafar Panahi dedicated his Gotham Awards wins to independent filmmakers "deprived of the right to see and be seen," the same day he was sentenced in absentia to one year in prison and a two-year travel ban, according to Deadline.

Panahi, whose Cannes Palme d'Or-winning drama 'It Was Just An Accident' received three Gotham Award nominations, won best director, best original screenplay and best international film at the New York City ceremony.

The film is also France's entry for the 2026 Oscar race and was released theatrically in the U.S. by Neon in October. Panahi is currently on a city tour across Los Angeles, Seattle, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston, and New York to present the film. Neon is produc...