In an unprecedented awards season move, indie studio IFC has unleashed an open letter to the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences — signed by none other than Indy, the breakout canine star of “Good Boy.” The letter, humorous yet heartfelt, calls for the inclusion of animal actors in the Oscars’ acting categories, arguing it’s high time Hollywood gave its four-legged performers the recognition they deserve.
“Despite my critically acclaimed role in the recent film ‘Good Boy,’ — I have been deemed ineligible for the Best Actor category,” Indy laments in the letter obtained exclusively by Variety and distributed by IFC. “Apparently, I am not a good enough boy for you.”
The campaign is backed by a box office high-mark for IFC. “Good Boy” opened to $2.2 million, marking IFC’s second-best opening weekend ever, following 2024’s “Late Night with the Devil” ($2.8 million). It also ranks as IFC Entertainment Group’s third-largest opening weekend overall, behind this year’s record-breaking release of “Clown in a Cornfield” under the RLJE Films banner.
Indy’s letter references a long and storied tradition of animals delivering emotionally resonant work — Jed the wolf-dog in “White Fang,” the whale in “Free Willy,” and the titular pig in “Babe” (which was nominated for best picture), among others — without ever earning a place among the year’s most celebrated performances.
“How many great performances must go overlooked before the Academy throws us a bone?” Indy asks.
Critics agree that Indy’s performance is award-worthy, with IndieWire calling him, “One of the most emotive actors of his generation.”
The IFC campaign picked up momentum after the July launch of the film’s trailer and poster, which went viral with over 100 million views across platforms — the largest reach in the company’s history. Initially planned as a modest release, “Good Boy’s” rollout was expanded to a nationwide theatrical debut, giving it IFC’s second-largest opening weekend theater count ever.
Indy, in the closing lines of the letter, delivers a poignant message to the Academy: “We ask that you stop lifting your leg on the contribution of myself and the many great animal actors whose work continues to go unrecognized.”
Whether this letter will lead to real change within the Academy remains to be seen, but in a time where it feels like “the end of days,” a letter like this brings a smile to your face. Nonetheless, IFC’s campaign could spark an overdue conversation in Hollywood. And Indy, the goodest of boys, has become the unexpected face (and fur) of a new kind of awards season movement.
The full letter is below.
‘ The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties ’
‘ Some details of this article were extracted from the following source variety.com ’
