"Flow" is nominated for Best Animated Feature and Best International Feature Film at this year's Oscars, a remarkable feat for an independent film created entirely with free and open-source software. Directed by Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis, this dialogue-free odyssey follows a cat tasked with navigating a world that's been reshaped by an unforgiving flood.
Rather than leaning on musical numbers, like recent winners in its category, or wildly popular animated films that make fart gun merch, "Flow" embraces a meditative and open-ended approach, mirroring its creative process and themes. It's a film about survival, but more importantly, about surrender. Surrendering to nature, to change and to the unknown. Fighting the heavy current isn't always the answer.
Sometimes, the best way forward is to let go, and simply go with the flow.
We spoke with Zilbalodis about the art of immersive storytelling, the challenges of crafting a film without dialogue and what he hopes audiences take away from this epic dreamlike journey. This conversation has been edited and condensed for clarity.
The film features a variety of animals, but a cat takes center stage. Why did you choose this particular animal as the lead?
GZ: A cat is the perfect protagonist for a film without dialogue. It moves through the world with curiosity and independence, and it doesn't need words to express itself.
Interestingly, people often refer to the cat as black, but my intention was for it to be dark gray like the cats I've had. Maybe I didn't make that distinction clear enough. But, I love that people interpret it in different ways. That's part of what makes cinema special.
You played a key role in shaping the film's score. Was there a particular track that proved especially challenging to compose?
GZ: Music is one of the most enjoyable parts of filmmaking for me. Unlike animation, which can take months for just a few minutes of footage, composing a track usually takes an hour or two. So, even if I hit a creative block, I'm not losing too much time.
One of the final tracks was tricky. It had to balance two emotions: warmth and support, but also a lingering sense of dread. Musically conveying those ideas together without them canceling each other out was a challenge.
The setting plays a crucial role in the film's atmosphere.
How did you approach world-building, and what influenced the look of the film?
GZ: This isn't a real-world setting. It's a world we built from scratch. We took inspiration from real locations to make it feel believable. I wanted audiences to experience something completely new, just like the cat does.
The world also had to feel timeless. There are no skyscrapers or modern cars because I wanted it to exist outside of a specific era. The environment isn't just there to look good, it reflects the cat's emotions. I started with how the cat feels in each moment and built the world around that.
Was there an environmental message you wanted to convey?
GZ: I wanted the story to feel timeless, but yes, there are connections to real-world issues. Our own studio was flooded this year. Thankfully, after the film was completed. And, when I traveled to Spain for a festival, the region was dealing with severe flooding as well.
That said, I don't want the film to be reduced to just a message. It's about the characters first and foremost. Thematically, it's about survival and community. How individuals come together to overcome challenges.
One of the film's most striking elements is the whale. It plays a pivotal role in saving the cat multiple times. In the post-credits scene, we see it re-emerge. What does the whale symbolize?
GZ: That was something I discovered as I made the film. In the beginning, the cat fears the whale because it doesn't understand it. It represents the unknown. But, as the cat learns more, it realizes that not everything unknown is something to be afraid of.
The whale symbolizes the cat's fears. Whether they're about the outside world or its own internal insecurities. But I love that audiences have their own interpretations. If I gave a definitive answer, it might limit those discussions. I want people to take away their own meaning.
You used open-source software to make this film. Were you concerned about how that might impact the film's reputation?
GZ: Not at all. It actually helped. This is a small indie film that reached a global audience, and Blender, the software we used, embodies that same DIY spirit.
It's not a compromise; in some ways, it's even better than expensive industry tools. The fact that it's free means any kid with a computer can access the same tools we used to make a theatrical film. That's exciting because it opens the door for so many new voices in animation.
The film leaves a lot open to interpretation, but if there's one theme or takeaway you hope audiences don't overlook, what would it be?
GZ: That's tricky because I don't want to distill the film into a single message. It's more about taking audiences on an emotional journey and letting them interpret it for themselves.
At its core "Flow" is about surrender. Learning to navigate uncertainty rather than resist it. The cat goes through so much, but even by the end it still has fears. It just learns to live with them rather than run from them. It's about survival, yes, but also about trust. Trusting others, trusting change and ultimately, trusting yourself.
"Flow" is now playing in select theaters. Check out the official trailer below.
