The third annual “Festival de Canes” attracted thousands of cinema and canine enthusiasts to Buenos Aires’ Carlos Thays Park last weekend.
This unique event cleverly plays on words with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival while celebrating the bond between humans and their four-legged companions. Julieta Laucella, event coordinator, explained the festival combines two passions: cinema and dogs.
The concept originated in 2022 when Laucella’s colleague observed dogs walking the red carpet at the actual Cannes Film Festival in France. This amusing observation sparked the idea to create a dog-centered film festival in Argentina’s capital.
Dogs and their owners paraded down a special “pet carpet” throughout the weekend at the 4-hectare Carlos Thays Park. Located in the northern part of Buenos Aires, this green space provided an ideal venue with its sculpture-lined paths and open areas.
The festival featured several competitions, including the popular “Paticortos” contest where participants submitted homemade short films starring their canine companions.
Dog-Themed “Festival de Canes” Draws Crowds to Buenos Aires Park. (Photo Internet reproduction)
A prestigious jury of Argentine entertainment figures evaluated these entries, including actress Charo López, actor Federico D’Elía, actress Celeste Cid, and YouTuber Damián Kuc.
Winners received the “Palm Dog” award, a canine version of Cannes’ famed Palme d’Or, along with pet food and other prizes. The event also included screenings of dog-themed feature films, recreational activities, donation drives, and puppy adoption campaigns.
“Festival de Canes” Sees Rapid Growth
The inaugural 2022 edition started small but received enthusiastic responses. Organizers reported over 4,000 attendees at the 2024 event, with this year’s attendance surpassing that figure. This growth demonstrates increasing public interest in cultural events that incorporate pet companionship.
The festival creates an interesting parallel with the prestigious Cannes Film Festival, which maintains connections with Argentina through its “Semana de Cine” initiative. This program brings selected Cannes films to Buenos Aires, with the 2024 edition held at Cine Gaumont from November 22-24.
As the “Festival de Canes” continues to grow, it establishes itself as a unique cultural event celebrating both cinematic arts and the human-canine bond. The festival transforms the traditional red carpet experience, allowing everyday pet owners to enjoy the glamour of cinema while elevating their dogs to celebrity status for a weekend.