- Inspiration
Latvian Animation Takes the World by Storm – Flow Continues Its Triumphant Journey (70+ awards)
Latvian animation is having its golden moment—Gints Zilbalodis’ feature-length animated film Flow has made history as the first-ever Latvian film to receive an Academy Award (Oscar) nomination! And not just one, but two—Best Animated Feature Film and Best International Feature Film.
This is a groundbreaking achievement that places Latvia among the world’s top animation creators. And for good reason—Flow is a visually stunning and narratively powerful masterpiece, blending a magical atmosphere with a profound, thought-provoking story. The film had already triumphed at the Golden Globe Awards, where it won Best Animated Feature, proving that Latvian cinema is here to impress the world.
Gints Zilbalodis – A Director Creating Unique Animation
Gints Zilbalodis is one of the most outstanding animation directors of the new generation in Latvia. His journey into cinema began in childhood—growing up with artist parents, he discovered his passion for visual storytelling at an early age. After studying at the Janis Rozentāls Riga Art High School, Gints focused on animation early on, experimenting and creating his first short films.
He gained wider recognition with Away (2019)—a feature-length animated film he created entirely by himself, from the storyline and animation to sound and editing. This bold step paid off—the film received high international acclaim and won him the top prize at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
Now, with his second film, Flow, Zilbalodis proves that he is not only a talented storyteller but also a visionary who continues to develop a unique animation language.
The Team Behind Flow
While the visual direction and style for the movie remain close to Gints Zilbalodis’ style, the movie is now an international venture.
One of the prime players for this venture is the producer for the movie, Matīss Kaža. He is not only the producer and director for the movie but also the one responsible for bringing this venture onto the international platform. Having experience from international projects, the movie gave the platform for reaching enormous support from international studios.
One of the prime players for this venture is the producer for the movie, Matīss Kaža. He is not only the producer and director for the movie but also the one responsible for bringing this venture onto the international platform. Having experience from international projects, the movie gave the platform for reaching enormous support from international studios.
In the animation film industry, the role of a producer is crucial, and another important name to mention is Reinis Kalnaellis. He is one of Latvia’s leading animation producers, having previously worked on various animation projects and played a vital role in developing Flow from an idea to a finished film.
How Was Flow Created?
Unlike Away, which was entirely a solo project, Flow was the first time Gints worked with an international team of professionals. The film brought together talent from Latvia, France, and Belgium, collaborating with Sacrebleu Productions and Take Five studios.
One of the most fascinating aspects of this film is its creation process. Zilbalodis took an unconventional approach, building scenes directly in a 3D environment instead of drawing traditional sketches. This allowed him to experiment freely with camera movements and shots, similar to working on a real film set.
The production of the film was a five-year-long adventure, requiring not only patience but also immense creative energy to craft this visually enchanting and emotionally profound story. Zilbalodis has admitted that he let the story “lead itself,” allowing an organic and intuitive approach to shape the film’s visual language.
As a result, the film has now become a global phenomenon, winning the hearts of audiences and critics alike. It has won a Golden Globe and secured two Oscar nominations—a tremendous achievement not only for the director himself but also for the entire Latvian animation industry
Flow Merch – Everything You Need to Know
If you’re a fan of the film, we have exciting news — we are the exclusive official distributor of Flow T-shirts! This means you can get an authentic, high-quality keepsake from this iconic cinematic achievement, right here.
Made from 100% organic cotton, with a unisex fit, the T-shirt combines minimalist style with a deeper narrative:
- On the back – an image of the film’s main character, the cat, symbolizing adventure and the journey into the unknown.
- On the front – a small Flow inscription
If T-shirts aren’t your thing, you can still grab a piece of FLOW with one of our stylish tote bags or hoodie.
Whether you’re looking for a personal keepsake or the perfect gift for someone who loves animation and art, Flow merch is the ultimate way to carry the magic of the film beyond the screen.
Watch the Official US Trailer for Flow!
If you haven’t seen this visually breathtaking film yet, be sure to check out the trailer:
Related Posts
Latvian Animation Takes the World by Storm – Flow Continues Its Triumphant Journey (70+ awards)
Latvian animation is having its golden moment—Gints Zilbalodis’ feature-length animated film Flow has made history as the first-ever Latvian film to receive an Academy Award
Valentine’s Day is just around the corner and it’s the perfect opportunity to show your loved one how much you care
Choosing the perfect gift can be a daunting task, but don’t worry! In this article, we’ll be sharing some unique and creative gift ideas that