For decades, the Cannes Film Festival has been the epicenter for filmmakers, actors, and actresses from around the globe, celebrating cinematic talent in all its forms. However, beyond human stars, another category of actors has been gaining prominence on the Cannes stage: our four-legged performers.
Last year, Messi, the dog renowned for his role as Snoop in the film "Anatomy of a Fall," captured French audiences' hearts by clinching the Palme Dog, a globally recognized accolade honoring exceptional canine performances.
Invented in 2001 by British journalist Toby Rose, the Palme Dog cleverly plays off the festival's top prize, the Palme d'Or, aiming to recognize the "best canine performance on the big screen" among films in the official selection, whether in competition, out of competition, or featured in parallel sections like the Critics' Week or Directors' Fortnight.
The inaugural recipient of the Palme Dog was Otis, a Jack Russell, for his role in "The Anniversary Party," an American film released in 2001. Since then, dogs of all breeds and backgrounds have graced Cannes' red carpet, becoming cinematic icons in their own right.
Among the most famous winners are Dug, the lovable canine from the animated film "Up," who claimed the Palme Dog in 2009, and Uggie, the Jack Russell terrier who stole hearts in "The Artist," honored in 2011. More recently, in 2019, Brandy, an American Staffordshire Terrier, captivated audiences alongside Brad Pitt in "Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood."
With the Palme Dog, the Cannes Film Festival pays tribute to these four-legged companions who, through their talent and charisma, bring an extra touch of magic to the screen, proving once again that in the world of cinema, there are no small roles, only great performances, even for our most faithful friends.