CANNES, France (AP) 鈥� It's called but Friday's winner of the annual Cannes Film Festival tradition was a Panda.
Panda, though, is an Icelandic sheepdog who stars in 鈥淭he Love That Remains,鈥� from Icelandic director Hlynur P谩lmason. Always positioned at the tail end of the festival, the beachside Palm Dog ceremony comes a day before the winner of the festival's Palme d'Or is announced.
P谩lmason's tragicomic film, which premiered at Cannes not in competition, follows five characters 鈥� Panda included 鈥� over the course of a year after the breakdown of a marriage. Panda is ever-present and very much part of the on-screen family and at the heart of the movie. Panda, who retains her name in the film, is P谩lmason's dog and stars alongside his real-life children in the movie, which may explain the award-winning performance.
While Panda sadly could not be there to collect the award, a look-alike local pooch was on hand to collect the coveted dog collar along with one of the film's human producers. Panda did make a virtual appearance with an acceptance video, on a car journey through Iceland. She succeeds from 鈥淒og on Trial.鈥�
This year鈥檚 awards marked the 25th anniversary of the much-loved event. Palm Dog founder Toby Rose explained that it has had more impact that he could imagine, becoming a fixture at Cannes.
鈥淲e honor the four-legged here just so they get a bit of their moment before the big dresses and the tuxedos take over,鈥� Rose said.
Other prizes included the 鈥淢utt Moment鈥� Award, for stealing the scene. This went to a long-haired dachshund and a rottweiler, for their roles in raunchy starring Alexander Skarsg氓rd and Harry Melling. The scene in question involves the film's two lovers bringing their respective dogs to a nighttime tryst.
In a thank-you statement, director Harry Lighton described Hippo the dachshund's 鈥渞aw sex appeal鈥� and said she's the true domme in 鈥淧illion.鈥�
Finally the grand jury prize was awarded to for Jack Russell terrier Pipa and Lupita, a Podenco cross. The story follows a father searching for his daughter across the desert, accompanied by his son 鈥� and Pipa and Lupita.
Lead actor Jade Oukid was there in person to collect the award alongside director Oliver Laxe. She told the gathered audience that Lupita was her own dog, who had sadly died soon after filming. After the show, Rose added that Lupita would be immortalized with this prize: 鈥淲e were so happy that we could celebrate a short life.鈥�
The Palm Dog has seen many a famous guest come down to pick up their awards in person. Quentin Tarantino came in person to collect the award in 2019 when in 鈥淥nce Upon a Time ... in Hollywood鈥� won. And, in 2021, Tilda Swinton attended the ceremony to pick up the prize when her own three dogs, Rose, Dora and Snowbear, won the award for their roles in Joanna Hogg鈥檚 鈥淭he Souvenir II.鈥�
Some dogs have become mini-celebrities in their own right, including
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For more coverage of 2025 Cannes Film Festival, visit .
Louise Dixon, The Associated Press
