RIGA, Latvia – Latvians joyously celebrated their country’s first-ever Academy Award win with the animated feature film “Flow.” This achievement marked a significant milestone in Latvian cinema as Gints Zilbalodis’ creation took home the Oscar for animated feature at the 97th Academy Awards held in Los Angeles. The event unfolded in the early hours of Monday for the Latvian audience, sparking excitement and pride throughout the nation.
Securing the Oscar over DreamWorks Animations’ “The Wild Robot” was a remarkable surprise for the Baltic country. “Flow,” a dialogue-free narrative featuring animal characters, has captivated audiences with its unique cinematic storytelling since it debuted at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival in May 2024. The National Film Centre of Latvia lauds the film as an extraordinary achievement in the country’s cinematic history.
To date, over 320,000 individuals have viewed “Flow” in Latvian theaters, forming the largest audience for any film in the nation over the past three decades. Additionally, more than 15,000 visitors flocked to the Latvian National Museum of Art in January to admire the Golden Globe Award the film had won, a first for Latvia.
Gints Zilbalodis, during his acceptance speech, expressed gratitude to his pets and highlighted the award’s significance. The film was also in contention for “Best International Feature Film,” making history as Latvia’s first Academy Award nomination.
Speaking to the Los Angeles crowd, Zilbalodis remarked, “This is the first time a film from Latvia has ever been nominated, so it really means a lot to us. We are very inspired and we hope to be back soon.” Latvian musician Ralfs Eilands shared his excitement about the early morning event, describing it as the “best sleepless night” he ever had.
Known as “Straume” in Latvian, “Flow” presents a post-apocalyptic tale involving a black cat, dog, capybara, ring-tailed lemur, and secretary bird, who must navigate a devastating flood. The absence of dialogue draws viewers into the silently compelling narrative that connects disparate species in their struggle to survive.
Reflecting on the win, Latvian President Edgars Rink?vi?s heralded the day as both “great and historic,” remarking on the remarkable nature of the achievement. Similarly, Prime Minister Evika Sili?a celebrated the filmmakers’ success and noted the film’s worldwide impact.
In the heart of Riga, a symbolic art installation features “RIGA” with a black cat sitting atop the letter “A,” allowing locals and tourists to engage with the renowned feline character. This installation, along with a commemorative stamp released before the Oscars, honors the film’s success.
Oscar host Conan O’Brien humorously challenged neighboring Estonia following “Flow’s” triumph, to which Estonia’s prime minister, Kristen Michal, responded enthusiastically. The friendly banter indicated the regional pride and camaraderie inspired by Latvia’s cinematic breakthrough.
