Messi, a Border Collie, became famous after appearing in the film Anatomy of a Fall, which won an Oscar. He even attended the awards ceremony with the celebrities. Messi seems to be loving his new life, as he confidently strutted down the red carpet at the Cannes Film Festival 2024. He is the first dog to do so at the most prestigious event on the French Riviera.
In one highlight moment, Messi instantly caught everyone’s attention by standing on his hind legs and waving to the crowd with his front legs. He even held a selfie stick in his mouth to record videos. Messi’s coach, Laura Martín Contini, was by his side during the event. In addition to winning an Oscar, Anatomy of a Fall premiered at Cannes last year, where it took home the top prize, the Palme d’Or.
Messi the dog at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival
Messi the dog is the best thing that could have happened to Cannes pic.twitter.com/FoCoBBWp1h
— Shafey is in love with a double Academy Award winner (@ahmedelshafey4a) May 14, 2024
The dog Messi at the opening ceremony of the Cannes film festival. pic.twitter.com/Jro69mmWb4
– جوزفين (@JosphineMamdouh) May 14, 2024
During the 2023 Cannes Film Festival, Messi also won the Palm Dog award, awarded by journalists to the best dog at the event. A line of tuxedo-clad photographers took pictures of Messi as he walked past and up the stairs of the Festival Palace. He sat up, raised his front paws and waved to the crowd like a seasoned movie star.
Messi held everyone’s attention for nearly 20 minutes as he mingled before the arrival of big-name stars such as Meryl Streep, jury president Greta Gerwig, Jane Fonda, Juliette Binoche and the cast of the inaugural film, The Second Act.
Greta Gerwig as president of the jury
It was previously revealed that “Barbie” director Greta Gerwig will head the festival’s jury. “I love movies,” Gerwig said in a statement. “I love making them, I love watching them, I love talking about them. As a film buff, Cannes has always been the pinnacle of what the universal language of cinema can be.” “Being in a vulnerable place, in a dark theater full of strangers, watching a new movie is my favorite place. I am stunned, excited and honored to be the president of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. I can’t wait to see what journeys await us all.