Logo Palm Dog

Otis in The Anniversary Party wins the first Palm Dog

Otis in The Anniversary Party Otis in The Anniversary Party

Winners

  • Palm Dog Winner: Otis in The Anniversary Party – directed by Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming
  • Special Mention: Leo as Delgado in Large – directed by Justin Edgar

The Jury

  • Derek Malcolm – The Evening Standard
  • Dana Thomas – Newsweek International
  • Mutt – President

Palm Dog 2001, the birth of an iconic award

In 2001, alongside the Cannes Film Festival, a new and unusual prize made its debut. Initiated by British journalist Toby Rose, the Palm Dog was created to fill a gap: recognising canine performances on screen.

For its very first edition, Otis, the dog and housemate of actress Jennifer Jason Leigh, received the first Palm Dog collar for his role in The Anniversary Party. “I was feeling a bit down that day, and learning that Otis had won the Palm Dog immediately lifted my spirits,” the actress said while accepting the award at the Carlton in Cannes.

Jennifer Jason Leigh, Mutley with Helena Nordstrand and Derek Malcolm
Mutley wearing the Palm Dog collar for an event poster by Paul Cooper. © Paul Cooper

An intimate and symbolic first ceremony, full of ambition

The very first ceremony took place in the British Pavilion, at the heart of the Cannes International Village, on the stand of the Notting Hill Film Festival. An intimate and symbolic setting to launch what would become a cult event on the Croisette within a few years.

Among the first jury members were Derek Malcolm (The Evening Standard) and Dana Thomas (Newsweek International), with Mutt, the fox terrier of founder Toby Rose, serving as president, the origin of it all.

A few weeks later, Otis was immortalised on the lawn of his home in Los Angeles, proudly wearing the very first Palm Dog collar—a photo that laid the foundations of an institution.

The 2001 Selection

  • The Anniversary Party by Jennifer Jason Leigh & Alan Cumming

  • Large by Justin Edgar