Latvian Animated Film Flow Wins Oscar for Best Animated Feature

Image credits: Photograph: Carlos Barría/Reuters

The 97th Academy Awards have come to a close, and one of the biggest surprises of the night was the win of the Latvian animated film Flow in the Best Animated Feature category. The film, which tells the story of a cat's journey to find safety after its home is devastated by a flood, beat out higher-profile blockbusters like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot. This win marks a historic moment for Latvia, as Flow is the first film from the country to ever be nominated for an Oscar, let alone win one.

The film's director, Gints Zilbalodis, started production on Flow back in 2019 using the free and open-source software Blender. This is his second full-length feature film, following his 2019 film Away. Flow has been a critical and commercial success, making $20m worldwide and becoming the most-viewed theatrical film in Latvian history. The film also won the Golden Globe for Best Animated Film in January, and has received support from the Latvian president, Edgars Rinkevics.

The win for Flow is a significant upset, as many had predicted that Inside Out 2 or The Wild Robot would take home the award. However, the film's unique story and stunning animation clearly resonated with voters. The film's success can be attributed to its universal themes of hope and resilience, as well as its beautiful animation and engaging storyline. As Zilbalodis said in an interview, "People are tired of bad news and maybe this film represents something that feels optimistic and hopeful in regard to the country's self-esteem."

In addition to Flow's win, the 97th Academy Awards saw a number of other notable winners. Some of the other winners of the night included Anora for Best Picture, Adrien Brody for Best Actor in a Leading Role, and Mikey Madison for Best Actress in a Leading Role. The full list of winners can be found online, and includes a range of films and individuals who were recognized for their outstanding work in the film industry. Some of the other notable winners include:

• Sean Baker for Best Original Screenplay for Anora
• Peter Straughan for Best Adapted Screenplay for Conclave
• Pierre-Olivier Persin, Stéphanie Guillon and Marilyne Scarselli for Best Makeup and Hairstyling for The Substance
• Sean Baker for Best Editing for Anora
• Zoe Saldaña for Best Supporting Actress for Emilia Pérez
• Nathan Crowley and Lee Sandales for Best Production Design for Wicked

The 97th Academy Awards were a night to remember, with a range of exciting winners and memorable moments. From the upset win of Flow in the Best Animated Feature category to the historic wins of films like Anora and Wicked, there was something for everyone at this year's Oscars. As the film industry continues to evolve and grow, it will be exciting to see what the future holds for these talented individuals and films.