Red carpets. Couture gowns. Sniffer dogs darting between tripods. Welcome to Cannes —where the most buzzed-about celebrities had wet noses, wagging tails, and zero time for your black-tie dress code.
While the 77th edition of the Cannes Film Festival celebrated cinematic brilliance from around the world, it also doubled as an unofficial dog parade. Scene-stealing pups posed for photographers, walked premieres, and in some cases, outshined their human co-stars entirely.
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2025’s Main Character at Cannes: Felicity, the Samoyed in Gold
This year’s breakout star was Felicity, a rescued Samoyed and ambassador for the London-based charity NoToDogMeat. Rescued from China’s meat trade and now living a life of red carpet glamour, she made her second Cannes appearance at the opening ceremony, wearing a custom gold gown and posing like she’d done it a thousand times. Her human, French activist Julia de Cadenet, walked proudly by her side.
The Reigning Icon: Messi the Border Collie
Messi, the scene-stealing border collie from Anatomy of a Fall, became a Cannes legend in 2023. Not only did he win the unofficial Palm Dog award, but he opened the 2024 festival by bounding up the Palais steps with no bow tie, no leash, and no shame. This year, he returned as a television correspondent, taking selfies with fans and proving once again that dogs don’t need credentials—they just need presence.
Pilaf the Chihuahua, Front Row and Tiny
Also spotted in 2024: Pilaf, the teacup chihuahua permanently attached to Demi Moore’s hip during the The Substance promo circuit. Moore joked that even after hours in prosthetic horror makeup, Pilaf always recognized her.
“She was my touchstone of reality,” she said at the press conference.
Honestly? Mood.
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Kodi, the Method Actor
In Dog on Trial—a Swiss feminist comedy that premiered this year—Kodi, a Belgian Malinois mix, plays an aggressive dog who becomes the client of a defense attorney. Director and star Laetitia Dosch insisted Kodi be credited and included in the film’s poster. He delivered a strong performance, but famously got banned from further press after humping Dosch’s leg during an interview. Method.
Xiao Xin, the Unexpected Soulmate
2023’s Black Dog told the story of a man ordered to clear stray dogs from his town—but it also told a quieter one behind the scenes. Actor Eddie Peng formed a deep bond with Xiao Xin, the Jack Russell-greyhound mix who played his canine co-star. He adopted her after filming wrapped, brought her to Cannes, and credits her with changing his entire approach to life—and acting.
“She doesn’t care if you’re famous,” he said. “She just feels.”
A Vintage Year for Palm Dog
Created by British journalist Toby Rose, the Palm Dog is Cannes’ most beloved unofficial award—celebrating outstanding canine performances. Last year’s winner, Messi, is a tough act to follow.
If the red carpet taught us anything this year, it’s that Cannes isn’t just a festival of cinema—it’s a full-blown love letter to dogs. And in a world obsessed with image, status, and filters, it turns out the most authentic stars walk on four legs and steal the show by just being themselves.
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