CANNES, FRANCE — Canine Stars Take Over Cannes!
The Palm Dog Award is a yearly award presented by the international film critics during the Cannes Film Festival. Begun in 2001 by Toby Rose, it is awarded to the best performance by a canine or group of canines. The award consists of a leather dog collar with the term “PALM DOG”.
This year’s most prestigious collar went not to a typical terrier or pampered poodle—but to Panda, a poised Icelandic sheepdog with undeniable screen presence and soul. In a sea of haute cinema and human drama, Panda emerged as the undisputed star of The Love That Remains, the latest poignant masterpiece from acclaimed Icelandic director Hlynur Pálmason. A stirring tragicomedy chronicling the delicate unraveling of a family, the film delicately threads five lives—including Panda’s—through a year of transformation, grief, and quiet hope. Panda isn’t simply a background character or comic relief; she’s the emotional anchor, the quiet observer, the living pulse of a fractured home.
And it’s no coincidence—Panda is a real-life member of Pálmason’s family, appearing on screen alongside his own children, lending the film an authenticity that lingers long after the credits roll.
While Panda couldn’t attend the ceremony on the Cannes beach in person, a charming local doppelgänger accepted the coveted collar on her behalf, accompanied by one of the film’s producers. Ever the professional, Panda sent in a pre-recorded acceptance speech, delivered from the backseat of a car cruising through the Icelandic landscape—a fittingly cinematic tribute for this furry auteur.
Panda follows in the pawsteps of 2024’s winner, Kodi of Dog on Trial, and joins an elite pack of canine Cannes icons.
25 Years of the Palm Dog: A Celebration of Cinematic Canines
This year’s Palm Dog ceremony marked a glittering 25th anniversary for the beloved Cannes tradition. Positioned just before the Palme d’Or is unveiled, the Palm Dog has become a fashionable fixture—equal parts whimsy, reverence, and red carpet flair.
Among this year’s most notable honors:
The Mutt Moment Award
This year’s scene-stealing spotlight belonged to two bold barkers: a long-haired dachshund and a rottweiler, stars of the provocative BDSM biker drama Pillion, featuring Alexander Skarsgård and Harry Melling. In one unforgettable scene, the human lovers arrive at a clandestine midnight rendezvous—each accompanied by their dog.
Grand Jury Prize
Awarded to the mystical Spanish odyssey Sirât, the Grand Jury Prize recognized the captivating on-screen work of Pipa, a tenacious Jack Russell terrier, and Lupita, a soulful Podenco cross. The film traces a father’s desert pilgrimage in search of his daughter, accompanied by his son—and these two devoted companions.
In a heartfelt moment, actor Jade Oukid and director Oliver Laxe accepted the award, revealing that Lupita, Jade’s real-life dog, had sadly passed away after filming.
“We were so happy that we could celebrate a short life,” Oukid shared. Now, Lupita’s legacy lives on—etched into Cannes history.
Palm Dog Legacy: Past Icons & Stylish Guests
The Palm Dog collar has graced some of the chicest necks in cinema. Quentin Tarantino famously accepted the award in 2019 on behalf of Brandy the pit bull, who electrified audiences in Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood. In 2021, Tilda Swinton accepted the prize for her own trio—Rose, Dora, and Snowbear—for their elegant performances in The Souvenir Part II. Talk about refined lineage.
Palm Dog founder Toby Rose, reflecting on the award’s silver anniversary, said it best:
“We honor the four-legged here just so they get a bit of their moment before the big dresses and tuxedos take over.”
From cult classics to couture, canine charisma has never been more en vogue. And as stars like Messi from Anatomy of a Fall reach global fame, it’s clear: the dogs of cinema are not just supporting actors—they are the moment.
At DOGUE, we believe every red carpet deserves paw prints, and every role—whether lead or leash-bound—should be celebrated in style. Bravo to Panda and all the 2025 Palm Dog honorees. Your performances were moving, magnetic, and—most of all—majestic.