Latvia has officially selected Gints Zilbalodis’ animated film Flow to represent the country in the International Feature Film category at the 2025 Oscars. Flow, an enthralling piece of animation, made its world debut at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival and has since captivated audiences worldwide. The film has garnered immense critical acclaim, particularly for its triumph at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival, where it won four coveted awards.
Directed and co-written by Gints Zilbalodis, whose previous work includes the highly praised Away, Flow delves into a narrative that is both emotional and adventurous. The story revolves around a resilient cat who faces the destruction of his home by a catastrophic flood. Determined to survive and find safety, the cat forms an unlikely alliance with a capybara, a lemur, a bird, and a dog. Together, these diverse animals set off on a treacherous journey across a relentless, submerged world, using their courage and creativity as their guiding forces.
The director’s tweet acknowledging the film’s screening at Cannes Un Certain Regard 2024 has further raised the film’s profile, propelling it into the international spotlight. The tweet read: “Flow – an animated feature film directed by Gints Zilbalodis which premiered in Cannes Un Certain Regard 2024,” accompanied by a promotional link and image. This social media engagement underscores the film’s growing popularity and the excitement surrounding its storytelling and visual spectacle.
Flow’s significant recognition at the Annecy International Animated Film Festival has been a monumental milestone. The film swept the event with four major awards, including the Gan Foundation Award for Distribution, the Audience Award, the Jury Award, and a special recognition for its original music. The film’s score, a mesmerizing collaboration between Zilbalodis and Rihards Zalupe, has been lauded for its unique composition and emotional depth.
Renowned producers, including Zilbalodis himself, Matiss Kaza, Ron Dyens, and Gregory Zalcman, have contributed to the film’s success. Their combined effort has resulted in a film that not only stands out in terms of narrative and visual artistry but also in its technical execution. The accolades from Annecy highlight the film’s appeal across various aspects of filmmaking, making it a strong contender for the Oscars.
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Looking ahead, Flow is set to appear at the Toronto Film Festival next month, adding another significant festival to its impressive itinerary. The film’s journey through the festival circuit has been instrumental in building its momentum and fortifying its credentials ahead of the Oscars submission. Post its festival run, Sideshow and Janus Films, who acquired distribution rights following the Cannes premiere, plan to release Flow in U.S. theaters later this year. This strategic release is aimed at garnering further attention and acclaim as the film approaches its Oscars submission.
To qualify for consideration in the International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards, films must have been released in their home country for at least seven consecutive days within the specified period between November 1, 2023, and September 30, 2024. Latvia has met this deadline, positioning Flow as a noteworthy entrant into the prestigious Oscars race. The deadline for submissions is firmly set for October 2, 2024, with the anticipation building up to the Oscars ceremony on March 2, 2025.
In the broader context of world cinema and animation, Flow’s selection represents a significant achievement for Latvian cinema and highlights the country’s growing influence in the global film landscape. The film’s journey from its inception through to its international acclaim and now its path to the Oscars is a testament to the creative vision and dedication of its director and production team.
As the industry eagerly awaits the Oscars announcements, Flow stands as a beacon of innovation and storytelling prowess. Its captivating narrative, combined with its compelling visual and musical elements, ensures that this animated feature will resonate with audiences and critics alike, making Latvia proud on the world stage.
World cinema stands to benefit from such remarkable contributions, and Flow is poised to leave an indelible mark in the annals of animated film history. With its eye on the esteemed Oscars trophy, Flow’s journey is one of hope, resilience, and artistic triumph.
