All eyes were on the beach at the Cannes International Film Festival last May 22nd as human guests and many dogs gathered for one of the much-awaited and fun events that is held during the Festival: The Palm Dog awards, which celebrate man’s best friend in cinema. This year a rescue dog named Yuri won the top Palm Dog award for his role as a stray puppy in the film La Perra directed by the Chilean Dominga Sotomayor.  The feature film follows the daily life of Silvia, a solitary woman who takes in the destitute young animal, and names him Yuri. Yuri’s sterling performance  won the Croisette’s most coveted collar, although he was unable to attend the ceremony. Apocalypse accepted the award on his behalf. Yuri, the rescue dog, was permanently adopted by the film crew at the end of filming. 

Meanwhile an endearing terrier cross breed named Lola who holds together a group of friends in the British film I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning took home the prestigious Grand Prize. The film, from British director Clio Barnard, is adapted from Keiran Goddard’s novel. The powerful social drama follows a group of five childhood friends from a working-class neighborhood in Birmingham. As they approach their thirties, Patrick, Shiv, Rian, Oli, and Conor are facing adulthood and unfulfilled dreams. Through her silent presence, Lola, who belongs to Oli,  embodies the last innocent bond tying them to their shared past. 

The Palm Dog award was created in 2001 by the British journalist Toby Rose and is today owned and organized by Woopets, France’s leading independent media dedicated to pets. Since taking over the event in 2023, the platform has perpetuated this prestigious ceremony in close collaboration with its founder. « The jury makes it a point of honor to reward productions that guarantee a healthy, safe, and benevolent filming environment for these exceptional actors. More than just a glamorous nod, this 26th edition reminds us that respecting animal nature and preserving their physical and psychological balance are the essential conditions for creating the magic of cinema,» read a statement from Woopets. The Palm Dog award was held for the 26th time this year. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette