The prestigious 97th Academy Awards ceremony was held on March 2nd local time (morning of March 3rd in Japan) in Los Angeles, California. The Best Animated Feature Award went to the independent film "Flow," directed by the emerging 30-year-old Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis. The movie will be released on March 14th.

Academy Award-Winning Animation "Flow": A Journey of Survival and Friendship

Set in a world ravaged by a massive flood where cities are rapidly disappearing, "Flow" follows a cat searching for a new home. Alongside other animals encountered on a drifting boat, the protagonist embarks on an extraordinary journey filled with unexpected dangers and heartwarming friendships. Can they change their fate, and what awaits them at the end of this adventure?

Unique Storytelling Through Visuals Alone

Remarkably, "Flow" features no dialogue, relying entirely on its striking visuals to tell the story—there are no human characters. Another remarkable aspect is its creation using the open-source software Blender, with a modest budget of approximately ¥600 million (around $6 million). Despite these constraints, the film has achieved worldwide box office success, surpassing $20 million (approximately ¥3 billion).

Impressive Track Record of Awards

"Flow" previously won Best Animated Feature at the 82nd Golden Globe Awards, beating out major contenders such as "Inside Out 2," "The Wild Robot," and "Moana 2." Additionally, it earned accolades at the Annie Awards, often referred to as the Oscars of animation, securing Best Independent Animated Feature and Best Writing. It also made history by becoming the first animated film to win Best International Film at the Independent Spirit Awards, further solidifying its place in Academy Award history.

Source : ORICON NEWS