Carminha, the tuxedo cat who steals the scene in the Brazilian film ‘The Secret Agent’, won an unusual and historic award this week. The feature film, which has already accumulated 48 international awards, received the Golden Beast (nicknamed ‘Golden Beast’ by director Kleber Mendonça Filho) during The New York Film Festival last Thursday (8). This special recognition, awarded three days before the Golden Globe ceremony taking place this Sunday (11), celebrates the feline performance that uses CGI effects to duplicate the protagonist on screen. The production, seen by over 1 million people in Brazilian cinemas, proves that even pets can shine in world cinema.
The award was possible thanks to the combination of technology and natural talent. Meanwhile, behind the scenes, the owner and feline behavior specialist, Kamila Alves, shared the details of the work. She revealed, for example, the CGI marker points glued to Carminha’s fur during filming. The mixed-breed cat, adopted six years ago, underwent extensive training to become the star now competing for a Golden Globe. Thus, little Carminha is not just an actress, but also a great achievement for national cinema in this early part of 2026.
From teacher to international star
Behind the feline’s success lies a story of dedication. Kamila Alves, who is Carminha’s owner, often calls her her “main teacher of feline behavior.” Now, after years of partnership, the duo has reached a global level. On social media, Kamila shows the care routine and the training that prepared Carminha for the film’s challenging scenes. The cat portrays the characters Liza and Elis, a feat made possible by the magic of visual effects. Therefore, the Golden Beast award is, above all, a recognition of all this meticulous work behind the scenes of the seventh art.
Scheduled to compete in three categories at the Golden Globes, including Best Drama Film and Best Actor for Wagner Moura, ‘The Secret Agent’ continues its victorious trajectory. The award for the cat Carminha is therefore another emblematic chapter in this story. It demonstrates how creativity and attention to detail can yield extraordinary results. So, while we await the results of the international awards, we celebrate this peculiar achievement that fills Brazil with pride and shows that in cinema, even meows can be awarded.
