The London headquarters of the British Film Institute literally went to the dogs yesterday, when the venue’s foyer played host to the Fido Awards. Celebrating 20 years of canine chaos, the event has lost little of its shambolic charm since host Toby Rose — founder of the now-famous Cannes Palm Dog Awards — first launched it in 2006, with celebrity hosts including Frankie Goes to Hollywood singer Holly Johnson and his little dog Punky, and actress Monica Dolan with her husky Velma. Surprisingly, unlike this year’s Baftas, there were no unwanted interruptions, although one guest did soil the stage.
Unusually, many of the actual dogs were on hand to lay their paws on their gongs, as was the case with the first award, Historical Hound. This went to Hamnet star Toad, a Jack Russell Terrier, who graciously shared the limelight with his co-star Banjo, a rescue. Romcom Rover went to Pillion’s Maggie, played by Rosie the Rottweiler, and was presented to her by her human co-star Paul Tallis, one of the film’s many BDSM bikers. Mutt Moment, meanwhile, went to I Swear’s Rosie the Springer Spaniel, although, thankfully, a two-hour delay was not deemed necessary for her owner’s acceptance speech.
I Swear’s Rosie the Springer Spaniel.
Blockbuster Bowser was this year’s equivalent of the SAG ensemble award and was shared by the 11 husky stars of Mission: Impossible — The Final Reckoning. This was accepted by the film’s composer, Alfie Godfrey, who relayed a message of thanks from director Christopher McQuarrie. Comedy Canine was awarded to Gus, a rescue terrier mix who played the lead in Amazon’s Christmas-themed romcom Merv, for which the film’s director, Jessica Swale, sent a video message. Horror Hound then went to the star of horror hit Good Boy, whose star Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever who already has six acting awards to his name, including a special Howl of Fame from SXSW.
After special awards for Paul Crompton, whose documentary Dog$piracy shines a light on the alarming subject of puppy farming, and May Wong, host of the blog George and Lulu’s Adventures, the night brought a big win for Paul Andrew Williams’ drama Dragonfly, starring Andrea Riseborough and Brenda Blethyn. Perhaps making up for the poor taste of Bafta voters, who long-listed the film then dropped it, Dragonfly’s American bulldog took home two awards, one for Femme Fido and the other for the event’s biggest honor, Best in World. Though the Fidos are hardly a bellwether for the Oscars, it may be worth noting that Marty Supreme went home empty-handed once again…