LOS ANGELES — Indy, the canine lead of the supernatural horror film Good Boy, has penned an open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, humorously requesting consideration for the Best Actor category at the upcoming Academy Awards. The letter, which includes Indy’s paw print as a signature, playfully critiques the Academy’s longstanding tradition of excluding animal performers from acting accolades. Indy expresses his disappointment at being deemed ineligible, stating, “Apparently, I am not a good enough boy for you.”
In his letter, Indy reflects on his early aspirations to act, inspired by Jed the wolf-dog in the 1991 film White Fang. He highlights the significant contributions of animal actors to cinema, citing performances by Keiko the orca in Free Willy, the ensemble cast of animals in Babe, and Finder the horse in War Horse. Indy questions how many performances by canine actors must go unrecognized before the Academy acknowledges their contributions.
Good Boy, directed by Ben Leonberg, is told from the perspective of Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, who must protect his owner from supernatural forces in a haunted house. The film has garnered positive reviews, with critics praising Indy’s performance for its emotional depth and authenticity. At the 2025 South by Southwest Film Festival, Indy was honored with the inaugural “Howl of Fame” award for Best Canine Performance.
While the Academy has yet to respond to Indy’s request, the letter has sparked discussions about the recognition of animal performers in the film industry. Indy’s campaign serves as a reminder of the often-overlooked contributions of animal actors to the cinematic arts.
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