Cannes 2026: Who is Yuri, the rescue dog that stole the spotlight?

The Cannes Film Festival may be synonymous with A-list celebrities and high fashion, but this year it was a rescue dog named Yuri that captured widespread attention, emerging as an unlikely star of the event after winning the unofficial yet widely anticipated Palm Dog award.

Yuri was recognised for her performance in the Chilean drama La Perra, with judges highlighting her naturalistic screen presence and central role in driving the narrative. The award, which includes a red collar emblazoned with Palm Dog, is presented annually to the most impressive canine performance at the festival.

According to Firstpost, director Dominga Sotomayor Castillo appeared on stage overlooking the French Riviera to accept the award, accompanied by another rescue dog named Apocalypse, who received the prize on Yuri’s behalf to applause and playful reactions from the audience.

The Palm Dog, a light-hearted counterpart to Cannes’ top honour, the Palme d’Or, was established in 2001 by film journalist Toby Rose and has since evolved into a recognised accolade within the festival’s broader cultural landscape.

La Perra, which premiered in the Directors’ Fortnight sidebar, centres on a woman living on a remote Chilean island who adopts a puppy named Yuri, with the relationship between the two forming the emotional core of the story.

Judge and film journalist Wendy Mitchell stated to Reuters that the film does not rely on elaborate tricks but instead focuses on the bond between the character and the dog, illustrating how the woman’s life improves following Yuri’s arrival. Fellow judge Anna Smith, a film critic, broadcaster and host of the Girls On Film podcast, stated that the dog’s essential role in the narrative was a key factor in the jury’s decision.

Yuri was selected over six other contenders to win the top prize. Another rescue dog, Lola, received the Grand Jury Prize for her role in the Birmingham-set drama I See Buildings Fall Like Lightning, which also screened in the Directors’ Fortnight section.

Toby Rose informed Reuters that the judging criteria for the Palm Dog remain stringent, with a strong emphasis on performances where dogs play a meaningful and integral role, adding that canine performances over the years have been consistently remarkable.

Previous winners of the award include Messi, the Border Collie from Anatomy of a Fall, who later gained further recognition through a French television show, and Uggie, the Jack Russell Terrier from The Artist, whose popularity contributed to a surge in interest in the breed following the film’s release in 2011.

As the 12-day Cannes Film Festival draws to a close, so too does its celebrated showcase of cinema and fashion. The festival’s red carpet remains one of the most prominent global platforms for style, extending beyond a single evening unlike events such as the Oscars or the Met Gala, and offering celebrities and stylists multiple opportunities to present both high fashion and more relaxed daytime looks during photocalls.

First Published on May 24, 2026, 5:31:01 PM IST