Indy, the canine star of the indie horror film ‘Good Boy’, has made film awards history after securing a nomination at the Astra Film Awards, becoming the first animal actor to be recognised in an acting category traditionally reserved for humans.
The dog has been nominated for Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller, a landmark moment for animal performers. The Astra Film Awards ceremony will be held on January 9, 2026.
Directed by Ben Leonberg, Good Boy tells the story of a loyal dog who confronts supernatural forces to protect his owner after moving to a remote countryside home. The film gained significant online attention earlier this year, with its trailer going viral as viewers searched to find out whether the dog survives the film’s tense storyline.
Critics have praised Indy’s performance, with the film currently holding a 90 per cent approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, while audiences have rated it at 82 per cent. Made on a reported budget of around $70,000 over three years, Good Boy has grossed approximately $8.6 million worldwide.
While animal performers have previously been honoured through awards such as Cannes’ Palm Dog and the American Humane Society’s PATSY Awards, Indy’s Astra nomination marks the first time a major acting prize has included a non-human contender.
The film has also been nominated for Best First Feature at the Astras, further boosting its profile. Although animal actors remain ineligible for Academy Award nominations, the film’s team has publicly appealed for greater recognition of non-human performances.
