Flow Could Make Oscars History by Winning Best Animated Movie After 24 Years

Last May, Gints Zilbalodis unveiled his groundbreaking computer-animated silent film Flow at the Cannes Film Festival after an impressive five-and-a-half years of dedicated effort. This remarkable project is now poised for a historic moment at the Oscars, competing in the Best Animated Feature category against giants such as Pixar’s Inside Out 2 and the latest installment of Wallace & Gromit. Notably, Flow represents a significant departure from the traditional blockbusters often honored at the Academy Awards, as it was created with a budget under $4 million using the open-source animation software Blender. Moreover, it showcases the talent of independent Latvian filmmakers and is backed solely by European studios.

The animation in Flow is visually stunning and distinguishes it from other nominees, including the DreamWorks hit The Wild Robot. Zilbalodis and his small team managed to create an extraordinary film despite relying only on basic, free graphic design tools. In addition, Zilbalodis took an unconventional route by co-scoring the film, complementing the rich visuals with immersive, atmospheric music in the absence of dialogue.

Flow: A Potential First for Animated Feature Winners

An Underdog Triumph for Zilbalodis

As a contender for the Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, Flow proves its brilliance with its nomination status. Currently regarded as the second-favorite to win, just behind The Wild Robot, this achievement is remarkable, especially considering the presence of two higher-profile films in the category. Should Flow triumph, it would mark a significant milestone as the first animated feature to win without Hollywood support, aside from two esteemed films from Hayao Miyazaki.

While Spirited Away and The Boy and the Heron have broken Hollywood’s dominance over the Oscars for animated features, Flow‘s potential victory would present a different narrative. Studio Ghibli, led by Miyazaki, holds considerable influence within the industry and benefits from the backing of the Walt Disney Company for distribution. In contrast, Gints Zilbalodis has operated independently, virtually unknown before Cannes showcased Flow, his second feature film, around his 30th birthday. An Oscar win would undoubtedly solidify his status as one of the most remarkable underdog stories in Academy history.

Flow’s Win Could Signal an Academy Shift

Growing Recognition for International Filmmakers

A victory for Flow would contribute to a series of significant successes that reflect an evolving attitude at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) towards global cinema. Following Parasite winning Best Picture in 2020 and the unexpected nomination of the Brazilian drama I’m Still Here for 2025, the Academy is increasingly recognizing international achievements.

This shift is largely attributed to AMPAS’s decision to expand its voting base to be more inclusive, addressing the past over-representation of white men in the voting body. Following commitments made in 2016, approximately 30% of new voters by the end of the last decade were from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, as reported by the New York Times.

This more diversified pool naturally brings attention to non-American films that may have been overlooked previously, paving the way for a broader appreciation of international cinematic contributions.

Flow’s Historic Win Could Change the Oscar Landscape

Paving the Way for Global Animated Films

Despite an emerging global focus in cinema, the realm of animated films has yet to see a substantial shift in Oscar recognition. While Disney’s dominance has somewhat lessened in recent years, 16 of the past 23 winners have come from Disney or its subsidiaries. Of the remaining winners, only Studio Ghibli has achieved recognition twice, despite being a Japanese powerhouse in animation. However, a victory for Flow, co-produced by French and Belgian studios, would represent a pivotal moment at the Oscars.

Such an achievement could unlock opportunities for animated films from diverse international backgrounds to gain the recognition they deserve at the Academy Awards. Alongside the contributions of Miyazaki and Wallace & Gromit‘s Aardman Animations, which faced their financial struggles primarily through collaborations, it is Zilbalodis and Flow who may ultimately forge a path for aspiring animators around the world.

Source: New York Times

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