Tilda Swinton’s spaniels get their paws on Palm Dog award at Cannes

Tilda Swinton took home the fur-most prize at the Cannes film festival on Friday 16 July, when her three spaniels were given the Palm Dog award for their role in The Souvenir Part 2.

Rosie, Dora and their grandson Snowbear were sadly unable to attend the prestigious ceremony — now in its 20th year — on the rooftop terrace of the Marriott Hotel. 

But canine-lover Swinton was game enough to sport the prestigious red collar herself as she accepted the award on their behalf. 

Tilda Swinton on Palm Dog: ‘This is the prize to get’

“I tried to get the dogs here, but they’re busy,” Swinton said. “I hear they’re on the beach in the Highlands in Scotland.”

“I have to tell you honestly, this is the prize to get,” she added. “We’re so stoked to get this prize. We’ve been eyeing this award for many years.”

British actress Tilda Swinton, middle, poses with the Palm Dog collar after her dogs won the prize for the best canine performance at the 74th edition of the Cannes Film Festival in Cannes, southern France, on 16 July 2021.
Image: Eric RANDOLPH / AFP

Palm Dog stars Brandy and Uggie

The last Palm Dog was picked up in 2019 by Quentin Tarantino on behalf of Brandy who played Brad Pitt’s trusty pitbull in Once Upon A Time… In Hollywood. 

When the festival was cancelled last year because of the pandemic, a posthumous Palm Dog was awarded to Uggie the adorable terrier from the Oscar-winning “The Artist” for best canine performance ever at Cannes.

Rosie, Dora and Snowbear

Tilda Swinton, her daughter Honor and two of her real-life spaniels in a scene from The Souvenir Part 2. Image: IMBD

Swinton appears in The Souvenir Part 2 alongside not only her real-life spaniels, but also her daughter, Honor. 

The film’s director Joanna Hogg was also present for the Palm Dog ceremony via Swinton’s phone, and said she would be very happy to work with Rosie, Dora and Snowbear again. 

“I think they’ll be in great demand now,” Hogg said.

Porn star pooch

A second-place Grand Prix was given to Sophie, who appears in Red Rocket about a porn star returning to small-town Texas. 

Director Sean Baker and breakout star Simon Rex were on hand to receive the award and shared a heart-warming tail. 

“We found Sophie in Texas and the vet said she only had six months to live because she had heart-worms. I’m pleased to say that she is now living in the lap of luxury in LA,” said Baker. 

Rex apologised for being late to the ceremony, saying, “We had difficulty finding barking … sorry, parking,” which received several groans and at least one bark from the crowd. 

— By © Agence France-Presse