Icelandic sheepdog Panda snatches Cannes' Palm Dog Award

On Friday, May 23, the Palm Dog jury reconvened on the Croisette for its 25th edition. This year the award goes to Icelandic sheepdog Panda, whose impressive acting left a lasting impression in The Love That Remains , directed by Hlynur Pálmason.

As stated in a press release, Panda won over the Palm Dog jury with an outstanding cinematic canine performance. "The four-legged actor portrays the loyal companion of a family going through a separation. The film, which spans a year in the life of the household, tenderly captures the bittersweet essence of faded love and shared memories across the seasons. Panda delivers a moving performance, standing out as a true and talented star in his own right. It highlights the essential role of the dog in the home and the powerful emotional bond it forms with family members."

This is the second time a canine star of Hlynur Pálmasons's film receives a Palm Dog recognition. The dog Jökull, received the Grand Jury Prize at the Palm Dog Awards in 2022 for his role in Godland. Panda's namesake, who starred in Valdimar Jóhannsson's film Lamb also won the award in 2021.