Latest news with #GintsZilbalodis
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Baltic Animation Still in Full ‘Flow': ‘Smallness Can Be a Superpower'
Oscar-winning 'Flow' by Latvia's Gints Zilbalodis brought Baltic animation to new heights. Now, local creators are figuring out how to benefit from the aftermath of its success. 'Sometimes, big fate blesses small culture. But whether a single achievement can be used to make conclusions about the entire field, that will only become clear over time,' says Peep Pedmanson, Estonian Film Institute Animation Film Commissioner. More from Variety Ubisoft, Netflix Share Early Look at 'Splinter Cell: Deathwatch' in Annecy's First Work-in-Progress Session of 2025 Echoes of Childhood Lost: 'Allah Is Not Obliged' Brings Potent Animated Recollection of Liberian Wars 'Not Just Participating, Designing the Future': Manga Productions's CEO Essam Bukhary on the Saudi Studio's MIFA Debut 'There're those who follow trends and those who create them. Estonian animation belongs to the latter. When it emerged within the Soviet Union, it immediately moved away from the mainstream. The creators were too individualistic.' And yet, there's been something uniting them: a style that treats the audience 'not as a passive object, but as an equal partner.' 'There's that special 'something,' which seeps into us along with the mist of our forests and bogs. The Baltic countries are small, and Estonia is the smallest among them. In the swirling currents of global trends, holding onto our identity is harder for us than for larger cultures – but we work at it every day.' As argued by Aurelia Aasa, founder of AAA Creative, Baltic animation has already been a 'key player and trendsetter' on the international festival circuit for a while. 'Especially in the short form,' she says. 'Coming from small countries can make it harder to stand out. 'Sierra' remains the only Estonian film on the Criterion Channel. But smallness can be a superpower, allowing us to move quickly and bring fresh perspectives.' Oscar-shortlisted Estonian director Sander Joon will follow 'Sierra' with short 'Hair of Hare' about an architect whose beard escapes – as a hare. 'I've been inspired by hares, Pippi Longstocking and architecture. I'm chasing creative freedom and I'm so happy and humbled that it seems to shine through,' he teases. According to Kalev Tamm, producer at Eesti Joonisfilm – now bringing 'Luna Rossa' to Annecy – there's a growing interest among Estonian creators in making feature-length animated films, however, 'though the challenge lies in putting together the right financing models.' 'I wouldn't necessarily connect this to 'Flow,' as many of these projects were already in development, but it might reflect a broader shift in ambition and momentum within the field. Estonian animation has a strong auteur tradition, characterized by sharp, surreal tones and contemplative substance.' Marianne Ostrat is bringing 'Saima: Scenes from a Midlife Crisis' to Annecy's MIFA: the first animated feature by Chintis Lundgren (from Estonia) and Draško Ivezić. It's an 'incredibly interesting, inspiring, and hopeful' moment to produce and develop animated feature in Estonia and across all the Baltics, she notes. 'Over the past decade, several new indie studios have emerged, but we are all building on this profound, solid – yet also very fragile – foundation of tradition. I feel there's a lot more potential in Estonian and Baltic animation that hasn't been tapped into,' she says. 'We have creators with interesting and original visual styles. What we could use more of are animation producers, financing and projects, including service work, to keep the sector going, growing and glowing.' Kristel Tõldsepp of A Film Estonia adds: 'I believe Estonian animation industry is in a very good place. There are more and more animated films produced also in collaboration between Baltic studios and I hope this trend is increasing.' The company is developing 'Raggie – Friends Forever': a sequel to 2020 'Raggie.' 'After 5 years, 'Raggie' is still one of the most watched films on Estonian VOD platforms. It has been distributed worldwide and sold to about 60 countries,' she says. 'But there are limited resources, so if short film production does well, we can't produce more than one animated feature every two or three years – there's also no support for series production.' Rebel Frame's Kadriann Kibus agrees – these days, feature-length stories are no longer out of reach. 'Until now, short format has been prevalent in the Baltics, and better suited for the more abstract, obscure, non-narrative tradition of the Estonian animation.' Apart from 'Adult Bedtime Stories,' heading to Annecy's MIFA, Rebel Frame has two shorts in pre-production: oil painted animation 'Schrödinger' by Sergo Kibus and 2D animation 'Penguin' by Kaspar Jancis. 'Both of which will hopefully be co-produced with France.' 'Obviously, features can't be done without co-producing and having a wider international market in mind. The Baltics is just too small of a market to support and provide a big enough audience for a more ambitious feature-length animated film.' For Lithuania, also known for its shorts, co-productions have widened the field. Art Shot – founded by Agnė Adomėnė – has recently backed Polish epic 'The Peasants.' Children's character 'Nelly Jelly' – and its brand – is growing as well. 'Lithuania's animation industry is still quite young, but it's full of energy, ambition and talent,' underlines producer Simona Krasauskienė. 'At 'Nelly Jelly,' we've seen first-hand how strong local IP can resonate. Our 2D series and feature film performed exceptionally well across the Baltics, hitting #1 at the box-office above 'Super Mario Bros'. That kind of traction proves there's both creative talent and market power here.' What's still needed? 'Greater access to global funding, co-production pipelines, and training ecosystems to help our studios and creators operate on a competitive international scale. But we're on our way. Lithuania is ready to take its place in the global animation conversation.' Currently, the team is working with UK-based 3Megos to create 'stories grounded in childhood challenges, with a dash of magical messiness from Nelly Jelly's monster friends.' 'What makes this project and much of Lithuanian animation special is the blend of sincerity and surreal playfulness. We're not afraid of imperfection or emotion, and that comes through in tone and character design.' Latvian creators have been thinking big too, delivering the likes of 'My Favorite War' by Ilze Burkovska-Jacobsen – presenting 'Roach Coach' at MIFA – or 'Jacob, Mimmi and the Talking Dogs' directed by Edmunds Jansons. Signe Baumane has been exploring personal and heartbreaking – and heartbreakingly funny – issues in 'Rocks in My Pockets,' 'My Love Affair with Marriage' and now in the upcoming third feature 'Karmic Knot,' a Latvian-US production voiced by Patrick Wilson and Matthew Modine. 'It will be my last personal film. Not because I ran out of personal stories, but because I want to try something else. But animation takes so long to make. Where will the world be by that time? Will I have funding, energy and mind to make something entirely new?' Making films independently and taking creative risks is never easy, she observes. 'A film with a new visual language rarely gets recognized in pre-production. Financiers often have the best intentions but cannot see further than what has already been made.' To Baumane, apart from its use of visual metaphors, nature themes and 'acknowledging darkness in the corners of our souls with light,' Baltic animation is 'not as homogeneous as one would think.' 'In Latvia, the success of animators has depended on each individual artist who stubbornly wanted to make their films, and on the increasing support of the National Film Centre of Latvia and Culture Capital Foundation. In the last few decades, they started to recognize the value of works produced by those stubborn individuals.' For Sniedze Kāle of Studija Kokles, this is a 'game-changing moment' for the Latvian film industry. 'Flow' has elevated the role of creatives in Latvian society. Not only by inspiring emerging filmmakers who now seriously aim to premiere their work at Cannes, but also by gaining broader recognition for the power of artistic voices.' 'Latvian state found a way to allocate an additional €1 million [$1.1 million] in animation support this year. Thanks to this, next projects by Gints Zilbalodis and Matīss Kaža received increased production funding.' Latvia is gaining increased attention from distributors and sales agents, 'as each year brings a new and interesting animated feature to the international stage.' But Kāle still misses 'a sense of security needed to plan for the long-term future.' 'Our history has taught us that, as the closest point to a potential aggressor, we cannot afford to be at peace or rely on protection or justice from others. I'm grateful for every day when the biggest concern is that the Latvian Film Centre has only one co-production call per year, or that the available funding is so limited my application with an animation series or a feature project becomes almost unrealistic.' The studio is now focusing on its first feature 'The Northern Star': an 18th-century road movie for family audiences directed by Kārlis Vītols and inspired by Nikolaus von Himsel, who founded the first publicly accessible museum in the Baltics. 'As parents of three children, we often find ourselves missing high-quality content we can truly enjoy together. This film is our attempt to create just that: a shared cinematic experience that combines adventure with timeless values.' With public funding redirected towards defense, creators 'must prepare to operate with limited financial resources in the years ahead,' argue Lauma Kaudzite and Sabīne Andersone of Latvian Animation Association, listing 'increasingly unstable global landscape and the current geopolitical situation' as one of the biggest obstacles plaguing the industry. More features are still looming on the horizon, however. 'Latvia has been consistently producing a substantial number of feature-length auteur animations. This is quite unique in our region,' adds Andersone, at work on Edmunds Jansons' next film 'Born in the Jungle.' 'My hope is that it will build on this momentum and reach family audiences worldwide. It's a film with a lot of heart, and an important message about empathy and responsibility, which resonates across cultures.' With its tradition of hand-crafted animation and a will to experiment, Baltic animation has already made its mark. But many hope for long-term strategies to support industry growth – as well as stronger international partnerships. 'We are seeing growing recognition [towards Baltic animation], new creative voices and more cross-border collaborations. I'm happy that 'Born in the Jungle' can be part of this positive wave.' Inspired by the real story of an explorer's family who chose to live in the Venezuelan jungle in the late 1950s, it's co-produced by Atom Art (Latvia), Letko (Poland), and Hausboot (Czech Republic), with international sales handled by Dandelooo Cinéma and release set for 2026. In the meantime, two Latvian films will head to Annecy: short 'Cleanliness' by Andrejs Brīvulis and 'Thelma's Perfect Birthday' by Reinis Kalnaellis, the latter introducing a young penguin growing up in a world obsessed with perfection. 'We're experiencing a paradox,' admits Kalnaellis. 'On one hand, 'Flow' validates the artistic strength and potential of Baltic animation. We are not yet weighed down by industry standardization, and that's a powerful advantage. However, what's missing is strategic, inclusive infrastructure: long-term development programs, and meaningful dialogue between institutions and creators. Too many depend on fragmented or volunteer-driven production, which hinders sustainability.' But many are optimistic – and eager to benefit from the momentum. 'It's an exciting time. Zilbalodis shows what's possible for Baltic filmmakers: both in terms of storytelling craft and audience reach,' argues Oskar Lehemaa, who directed 'The Old Man Movie' with Mikk Mägi. 'I'm sure the film's success gave many a good jolt of motivation. Be it through jealousy, which is a very Estonian emotion, or just through sheer inspiration,' he jokes, while Grafik's Erik Heinsalu adds: 'It brought new attention to our region. It's also clear the spotlight won't last forever, so we need to act to make the most of it.' Baumane notes: 'We're not dead yet – everything is still ahead. Let's talk about 'the Baltic animation legacy' when it's all over!' Best of Variety 'Harry Potter' TV Show Cast Guide: Who's Who in Hogwarts? 25 Hollywood Legends Who Deserve an Honorary Oscar New Movies Out Now in Theaters: What to See This Week
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Near-perfect "irresistible" Oscar winner Flow confirms UK streaming release date
Acclaimed movie Flow will finally be streaming in the UK after winning an Oscar for Best Animated Feature earlier this year. A co-production of Latvia, Belgium and France, the film from director and co-writer Gints Zilbalodis follows a dark grey cat trying to survive with other animals in a post-apocalyptic world. Cat lovers won't have to wait very long to stream the 2024 film, as it will start streaming on MUBI from 20 June. The arthouse streaming platform is also available as an add-on Prime Video channel. This means you'll get to stream its catalogue for free for a whole week when you subscribe to Prime 30-day free trial. Whatever your streaming subscription, be sure to give Flow a chance as the film is currently Certified Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes with a score of 97% out of 181 reviews. Related: Premiered at Cannes last year, Zilbalodis' movie was praised for its original approach to animated storytelling compared to most animated movies, particularly those from Disney's ranks. "It's a film full of wonders but not a single word of dialogue in the epic tale of one cat's adventures after a flood of biblical proportions," The Guardian review noted. "As visions of apocalypse go, it's rather lovely." The film touches upon the theme of climate change, without ever being "cloying or condescending", the Little White Lies review out of the festival read. Related: Elsewhere in the animated medium, a John Wick spinoff is in the works with Keanu Reeves announced to reprise the role of the titular assassin. The animated prequel will focus on the Impossible Task, which takes place before the events of the first John Wick movie and sees the hitman having to get rid of his enemies in one night to fulfil his obligation to the High Table. Flow will start streaming on MUBI from 20 June. . Digital Spy's first print magazine is here! Buy in newsagents or , now priced at just £3.99.£49.99 at at at Amazon at Audible£18.99 at at at EE£328.00 at at at at at at at at at at Amazon at EE at at at at at Game at Pandora at EE at at at at at Sky Mobile£29.98 at at at at at at Three at Pandora£1200.00 at Game at at at at at at AO at at at at £199.99 at Fitbit£49.99 at at at at at at at at at at at John Lewis at at at at at at at at at at £44.99 at at at at Amazon at at John Lewis£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at Amazon at Fitbit£119.99 at at Amazon£184.00 at John Lewis & Partners at Three at at at at at at at at at Amazon at Three at at at at at at at Apple£699.00 at at at at at at at EE at Audible at at at at at John Lewis at at at at John Lewis at at at Amazon at Apple at at at at at at at at EE$365.00 at Microsoft£229.00 at John Lewis at at at Three£79.00 at Samsung at at Apple at at at John Lewis at at Amazon at at at Samsung at crunchyroll£1199.00 at AO at at at Microsoft at at at at John Lewis & Partners at at Microsoft£92.98 at at Amazon£369.00 at John Lewis at at at at at now at at at John Lewis & Partners at at at at at Microsoft at at at John Lewis at at at at £6.65 at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at at You Might Also Like PS5 consoles for sale – PlayStation 5 stock and restocks: Where to buy PS5 today? IS MISSION: IMPOSSIBLE 7 THE BEST IN THE SERIES? OUR REVIEW AEW game is a modern mix of No Mercy and SmackDown
L'Orient-Le Jour
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- L'Orient-Le Jour
European Film Festival starts today in Beirut: Discover our selection
From April 30 to May 11, the 29th edition of the European Film Festival will light up the screens of Metropolis Cinema in Mar Mikhael with more than 35 films, special guests, concerts, tributes and a steadfast passion for the seventh art. The festival is organized by the European Union delegation in Lebanon, in partnership with the Metropolis Cinema Association and EU member state embassies. Opening with a Cannes favorite The festival will open with Flow by Gints Zilbalodis, a Latvian sensation unveiled at Cannes in 2024. The silent animated feature — which won the 2025 Oscar for Best Animated Feature and more than 50 international awards — follows a cat navigating a dreamlike, submerged world. The film promises to set the tone for a festival focused on innovation and emotion. The opening night is by invitation only, ahead of the film's national release on May 8. This year's lineup includes 21 feature films from across Europe, offering Lebanese audiences a bold and varied look at contemporary European cinema. Among them are several festival prizewinners, including two animated films for younger viewers. Special "movie-snack" screenings will be held for children from underserved communities. Alongside the European selections, 12 short films by emerging Lebanese filmmakers will compete for awards. Two winners will be selected to attend a European film festival, in collaboration with the Goethe-Institut and the French Institute of Lebanon. Cinema as a living experience Among the festival's standout events is Voyage to the Land of Fairies, a hybrid of concert and screening. The duo Catherine Vincent will reinterpret four enchanting short films by Georges Méliès and Lotte Reiniger in a musical, humorous, and poetic cine-concert, blending shadow theater and melodic storytelling. The festival also includes two special screenings with a focus on memory. Spanish classic Jamón Jamón by Bigas Luna will be shown in its restored version, with actor Jordi Mollà in attendance. The closing night on May 11 will feature the digitized version of Youssef Maalouf's Abou Salim, the Messenger of Love, a tribute to the beloved TV icon, who will attend the screening. A poster that speaks Beirut This year's festival poster, designed by Natasha Simonian, captures Beirut's raw energy: stray cats, tangled wires, and a city suspended between daily poetry and chaos. The design was chosen through an online competition, reflecting the festival's spirit of community and openness. Screenings will also reach audiences beyond Beirut, with events planned in Saida, Tripoli and Jounieh. Four must-see feature films The Story of Souleymane – Boris Lojkine (France) Monday, May 5 at 6 p.m. & Thursday, May 8 at 7 p.m. In the streets of Paris, Souleymane rehearses his story in preparation for an asylum interview. This poignant portrait of a suspended migrant, awarded at Cannes, stands out for its intensity and emotional depth. The Poet's Fiancée – Yolande Moreau (Belgium) Wednesday, May 7 at 9 p.m. In her inherited family home, Mireille hosts three eccentric tenants who disturb her solitude and stir romantic memories. A delicately offbeat comedy, true to Moreau's style. The End – Joshua Oppenheimer (Denmark) Friday, May 9 at 6 p.m. In a post-apocalyptic world, a family lives sealed in a bunker. The arrival of a stranger disrupts their balance. With Tilda Swinton, this philosophical chamber piece is haunting and provocative. Rabiye Kurnaz vs. George W. Bush – Andreas Dresen (Germany) Thursday, May 1 at 8:30 p.m. & Saturday, May 10 at 4 p.m. A Turkish-German mother fights to free her son from Guantanamo. A moving and satirical courtroom drama, awarded the Silver Bear in Berlin. The Past Is Calling – Perla Geagea In a deserted Beirut home, an exiled voice returns to haunt the walls in a poetic audiovisual elegy. A silent meditation on what's left when everything is lost — haunting and understated. Bitter Greens, Tangled Roots – Abdallah Dannaoui A phone call between an exiled brother and sister rekindles memories of a vanished Lebanon. Sensitive Strings – Amal Ghamlooch A musician takes the stage one final time in a heartfelt, unadorned farewell. Awards will be announced during the closing ceremony on Sunday, May 11 at 8:30 p.m., followed by Abou Salim, the Messenger of Love. For Young Audiences: A Galactic Adventure Diplodocus – Wojtek Wawszczyk (Poland) Saturday, May 10 at 12 p.m. A small dinosaur capable of interplanetary travel sets out to find his parents. Packed with quirky characters and kinetic animation, this interstellar journey is perfect for children aged 8 and up. Festival Information Location: Metropolis Cinema, Mar Mikhael Dates: April 30 – May 11, 2025 Tickets: 400,000 Lebanese liras, available at or at the cinema Opening night: By invitation only
Euronews
30-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Euronews
'Flow' wins LUX Audience Award 2025
ADVERTISEMENT It's the little kitty that could... The Oscar winning animated film Straume ( Flow ) , directed by Gints Zilbalodis, has won this year's LUX Audience Award , the pan-European audience film prize which champions EU co-productions that engage with topical issues and encourage debate about European values. The Latvian, French, Belgian co-production tells the story of Cat, a solitary animal whose home is devastated by a great flood. In his efforts to adapt to a new world, Cat finds refuge on a boat populated by other animals. This wonderful animated fantasy adventure, created using the free and open-source software Blender, is notable for its lack of dialogue and striking imagery. Flow debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival in the prestigious Un Certain Regard section to great critical acclaim, and already won various awards including Best Animated Film at the European Film Awards , Golden Globes and the Oscars , beating competition from big US productions including Moana 2 and Inside Out 2 . It was declared the winner at a ceremony the European Parliament hemicycle in Brussels. And the winner is... European Union 2025 - Source : EP 'The LUX Audience Award is more than just a prize. It is a testament to the European Parliament's commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and the role of cinema in reflecting and shaping our societies,' said European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen during the award ceremony. 'It brings European stories closer to people and brings people closer to the work of the European Parliament,' she added. Flow wins LUX Audience Award European Union 2025 - Source : EP Indeed, Flow deals with issues like climate change, migration, displacement, and resilience. In our Best Movies of 2024 countdown, we said: "The detailed micro-characteristics of each species, like the overly-keen labrador, the grumpy capybara and the inscrutable secretarybird, create endearing dynamics that float themes of friendship and the importance of banding together despite differences. While the topic of climate change also looms large, Flow is most rewarding when viewed as a simple story told beautifully - at points rather stressful, but ultimately life-affirming catnip for the soul." Check out our review here . Flow wins LUX Audience Award 2025 European Union 2025 - Source : EP 'We have had five compelling narratives and five very different LUX Audience Award nominees: they are an inspiration to filmmakers and the public alike, not only for celebrating the extraordinary variety of European cinema but also for demonstrating its ability to entertain and elevate at the same time,' said Mike Downey, honorary president of the LUX Selection Committee and chair of the European Film Academy , following the announcement of the winner. 'The cinematic art in Europe is a perfect example of how culture can make a significant contribution to society and advocate for compassion, empathy and change in an otherwise divided world', added Downey. Team Flow European Union 2025 - Source : EP The four other films shortlisted for the award were Animal by Greek director Sofia Exarchou; Golden Bear winner Dahomey by French director Mati Diop; Intercepted by Ukranian director Oksana Karpovych; and Julie Keeps Quiet by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl.
South China Morning Post
04-04-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
5 of the best things to do in Hong Kong this weekend, April 5-7, from film to ballet
If you are in Hong Kong this long weekend, then there are a few things you might want to check out, including an Oscar-winning animated film, a full-length ballet on Mexican painter Frida Kahlo and a craft beer event. 1. Flow When director Gints Zilbalodis accepted his Oscar win for best animated feature last month for his ethereal animated film Flow, he thanked his parents and his 'cats and dogs' – fitting, given that the charming cartoon follows a feline and other animals as they survive a huge flood. Advertisement Then, he added a rallying cry for the industry: 'I'm really moved by the warm reception our film has had … and I hope that it will open doors to independent animation filmmakers around the world.' Flow's success in beating huge American studio animations like Inside Out 2 and The Wild Robot to the Academy Award, as well as a Golden Globe win back in January, will surely be encouraging to other animators outside Hollywood. Made in Latvia for US$3.7 million (HK$28.8 million), Flow has grossed over 10 times that in ticket sales to date. Perhaps it helps that the dialogue-free fable transcends language barriers, but it is almost impossible to imagine Pixar or DreamWorks creating something this mystical. Flow is in cinemas now. 2. Yardleys Taproom's third anniversary
