Canine Star Indy Campaigns for Oscar Inclusion: A Barking Good Idea?

On October 9th, 2025, indie studio IFC made an unprecedented move by launching a campaign for animal actors to be included in the Oscars' acting categories. At the center of this effort is Indy, the breakout canine star of the recent film "Good Boy."

In an open letter obtained exclusively by Variety, Indy laments his ineligibility for the Best Actor category, stating, "Apparently, I am not a good enough boy for you." The letter, which is both humorous and heartfelt, calls for the Academy to recognize the contributions of four-legged performers, arguing it's high time Hollywood gave them the credit they deserve.

The campaign has gained momentum thanks to the strong box office performance of "Good Boy." The film opened to $2.2 million, marking IFC's second-best opening weekend ever, following 2024's "Late Night with the Devil." This success has further highlighted the need for the Academy to consider animal actors in their awards.

Indy's letter references a long tradition of animals delivering emotionally resonant work in films, from "White Fang" to "Free Willy" and "Babe," without ever earning a place among the year's most celebrated performances. The canine star poses a poignant question: "How many great performances must go overlooked before the Academy throws us a bone?"

Whether this campaign will lead to real change within the Academy remains to be seen, but it has certainly sparked an overdue conversation in Hollywood. Indy, the "goodest of boys," has become the unexpected face (and fur) of a new kind of awards season movement.