Girl Power carried the day at Palm Dog 2026 by Toby Rose in Cannes

Palm Dog 2026 saw a triumph for females both human directors and the four legged. “ Female Dogs and Directors Dominate Palm Dog Awards..” trumpeted the Hollywood Reporter headline, going on to underscore the emotion at this historic edition of Palm Dog, “The Palm Dog— the beloved unofficial awards show celebrating the best canine performances across the festival’s official selection and various sidebars — has long since become a genuine Cannes fixture, founded by Toby Rose back in 2001. This year it delivered a double bill of canine triumph that had the beach crowd at the Cannes Members Club reaching for their metaphorical hankies — and, perhaps not coincidentally, both winning performances came from female dogs in films helmed by female directors.”

History was made at the Palm Dog 2026 ceremony when the two main prizes went to films directed by women and better still their dogs stars were female. This was a year when females swept the board in this annual celebration of 4 legged performances at the Cannes Film Festival. 

It was standing room only as around 200 festival goers packed the Member’s Club on Plage du Festival for the lunchtime ceremony on Friday 22nd May. The coveted top prize Palm Dog went to Yuri in Chilean film La Perra in the Director’s Fortnight selection. Director Dominga was on hand to accept the award with a big smile and promise to hand the award over to her stand out dog stars. One performed the puppy years and the other took the role from adulthood to motherhood. A very striking Dutch Shepherd named Apocalypse took to the stage to model the trophy collar. 

The Grand Jury Prize went to dog who the four legged focus in this gritty coming of age cinema verté tour de force - I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning. Border terrier cross Lola showed the often unsung but indispensable work done by service dogs who supply the essential therapy for damaged lives. Director Clio Bernard was on hand to accept the trophy collar for Lola with local lookalike pooch, Soprano - a standin for her trusty Dog Star. 

The PalmDogManitarian award went to a very ritzy dog owner with a significant caring side. Brad Goreski was in town as stylist to Official Jury Member Demi Moore. Back home Brad is proud dog dad to Theo. He is also vocal in support of the movement to Adopt not Shop. The campaign’s aim is to have prospective dog owners head for dog rescue centres to get their Man’s Best Friend. Brad took the mic to tell of the pleasure Theo brings into his life and his desire that wannabe dog owners choose the route of adoption when seeking out a 4 legged friend.  Not only was Palm Dog 2026 uniquely femme it was also rescue dog friendly thanks to Brad Goreski who scooped PalmDogManitarian. 

Palm Dog 2026 started under the best of auspices.  On Opening Night we saw a very dog friendly jury on the red carpet. Demi Moore - the 2024 PalmDogManitarian winner with Pilaf - was Hollywood wonderful - a true Demi Goddess of style. Plus Paul Laverty who is brother in arms to PalmDogManitarian winner Ken Loach. He wrote I, Daniel Blake featuring three legged Shea as the eponymous underdog. In a spooky twist official jury member Stellan Skarsgard had a very close Palm Dog connection having met and cuddled with Palm Dog Father Mutley at the Dinard British Film Festival. Not only that on day 2 Joan Collins hit the red carpet for the Duchess which featured her with not one but three pugs.

Cannes 2026 saw a very canine kick off for Palm Dog which in turn for the first time saw female winners sweep the board from directors to the two dog stars. Bravo and bow wow.