At the 9th Annual Astra Film Awards, an unexpected turn surprised cinema fans as Indy the Dog, lead of Good Boy, secured the Best Performance in a Horror or Thriller, winning over acclaimed actors such as Ethan Hawke—whose acting award nomination drew much attention—and Alison Brie. The win marked a rare and lively moment at the ceremony, shining a spotlight on both human and canine contributions to the horror genre.
Indy the Dog Steals the Spotlight from Famous Nominees
Indy’s victory made waves as he claimed the award over a prominent field that included Ethan Hawke for The Black Phone 2, Alison Brie for Together, Alfie Williams for 28 Years Later, Sally Hawkins for Bring Her Back, and Sophie Thatcher for Companion. In a memorable pre-recorded segment, Indy, a Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever, appeared in a black bow tie while his owner and director, Ben Leonberg, accepted the trophy at the event.
“Hi, I’m Ben Leonberg, the director of Good Boy here with my dog, the goodest boy himself,”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“On behalf of Indy, we are so thrilled to be recognized for his work in a movie he does not totally understand he was in.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
Ceremony Honors Exceptional Performers in Horror
The award judges acknowledged not only seasoned actors but Indy’s rare animal performance, underlining how horror keeps refreshing its boundaries. During his acceptance speech, Leonberg highlighted what this achievement represents for the genre, stating,
“this award and incredible group of nominees reflects the freedom that horror gives performers — and, in our case, trainers — to play, experiment, and push the boundaries.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
He went on to describe what sets horror apart, noting it is
“fueled by originality and reinvention, and by audiences who are the most eager to see something new”
in the film world. Ben Leonberg, Director
Indy’s Unique Role and Challenges in Making Good Boy
Indy’s portrayal of a vigilant canine striving to save his ailing owner Todd, played by Shane Jensen, from a haunting supernatural force became central to Good Boy’s appeal. The film’s cast also includes Arielle Friedman, Larry Fessenden, and Max, another Golden Retriever. According to Leonberg, producing the film was a major endeavor, with principal photography extending over 400 days across three years. This lengthy process reveals both the perseverance of the team and the complexities of directing a canine lead.
Leonberg reflected on the difficulties and joys of working with Indy,
“Controlling his motion was always challenging,”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“And there are times where, what I want him to do is walk into a room and freeze because he sees something alarming — and we’re saying ‘whoa,’ like dog-speak for ‘stop.’ But instead, he just keeps going and appears to plow into the supernatural force or jump up or gleefully run into what is supposed to be the supernatural scary thing.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
These spontaneous moments, which differ wildly from directing human actors, contributed to the film’s distinctive energy, something Leonberg acknowledged:
“I would say there were times when he would bring an energy so different [than what we needed],”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“And again, he doesn’t know he’s in a movie, which is the joy and the challenge of this all.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
Recognizing Everyone Behind Good Boy’s Success
In accepting Indy’s accolade, Leonberg celebrated the shared achievement with his canine’s colleagues.
“To be recognized alongside such amazing actors as Alison Brie, Ethan Hawke, Sophie Thatcher, Sally Hawkins, and Alfie Williams is incredible,”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“Indy is honored to accept this award — especially knowing that he’s standing in alongside performers who didn’t even need to be bribed in order to hit their marks.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
He extended gratitude to those who supported the project:
“the humans who made his performance possible,”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“To Good Boy’s amazing cast and crew, your patience, generosity, and belief made every moment work onscreen,”
Ben Leonberg, Director
“Indy, quite literally, could not have done this without you.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
He ended with a heartfelt note:
“Thank you again, we are so, so delighted.”
Ben Leonberg, Director
An Unconventional Win and Its Possible Impact
Indy’s triumph, beating high-profile nominees such as Ethan Hawke, sends a message about how film awards can celebrate creativity from every corner, including non-traditional performers. Good Boy’s recognition at the Astra Film Awards is likely to inspire creators to push storytelling boundaries. For Indy, Ben Leonberg, and the entire team, the night marks both a culmination of years of effort and a testament to the unexpected energy that can only come from daring to do something different in the world of film.
