2007 – “All stray cast” in Mid Road Gang – Pantham Thongsang & “Yuki” in Persepolis – Marjane Satrapi

This year, as befits a milestone for the Palm Dog, we are proud to announce a tie for Palm Dog 2007 between live action ‘Mid Road Gang’ and animated feature ‘Persepolis’.

The Thai film ‘Mid Road Gang’ features an all stray cast trained from scratch. There is a standout Chaplinesque scene where two of our heroes rise up on their back legs to escape the baddies.

Jury members were seduced in equal measure by animated sensation Yuki in ‘Persepolis’ – the capers of this mischievous hound got laughs in a hard hitting view of Iran’s Islamic revolution. Providing key light relief in this girl’s eye view of tough times for women.

Palm Dog 2007 would like to thank Beefeater London Dry Gin and the UK Film Centre.

2006 – “Mops” in Marie Antoinette – Sophia Coppola

Highly commended – “Schumann” in Pingpong – Matthais Luthardt

With a mournful….”Oh Mops” Marie-Antoinette is stripped of the most precious part of her Austrian identity, her little cupcake canine Mops, as she crosses into France for her fateful arranged marriage with the French King. Small consolation she was told she could henceforth “have as many French dogs as you like”. And this was to prove no idle promise..

Though taken from the arms of Marie-Antoinette, played by Kirsten Dunst, at the border the spirit of Mops lived on in a dazzling number of doggy turns throughout this sumptuous romp. From Jack Russells snacking on the couch as Her Majesty chose hats, to canines snuffling the casino chips, to the more manly pursuits of a pack of dogs hunting with King Louis.

The dogs even got to eat cake!

Runner up was always a front-runner for Palm Dog glory 2006 after being singled out for its canine standout performance at the Critics Week press conference in Paris just prior to Cannes. The selection panel made special mention of Schumann, a Riesenschnauzer, in German film Pingpong. And so it was to be, Croisette glory for Schumann.

Palm Dog 2006 would like to thank British Council, Beefeater Dry Gin, Getty Images, Neal’s Yard Dairy.

2005 – “Bruno” in The Cave of the Yellow Dog – Byambasuren Davaa

Highly commended – “faithful little West Highland terrier” in Greyfriars Bobby – John Henderson

The prestigious Palm Dog award goes this year to a beautiful film from Mongolia whose canine star is a shepherd dog, found and nurtured by a young child.

The Cave of the Yellow Dog, directed by Byambasuren Davaa, tells a story of the age-old bond between man and dog but given a new twist by the Mongolian belief in reincarnation.

Jury member Derek Malcolm says “The film is naïve, charming and very beautiful to look at. It made me miss my dog Bruno who is languishing in kennels at the moment”.

This year’s Palm Dog event is organised in association with Our Dogs magazine and sponsored by Wedgewood, Harrods, the Victoria and Albert Museum and Courvoisier.

A big thank you to all of you.