Latvia's 'Flow' Wins First Oscar for Best Animated Feature

Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis' animated feature 'Flow' has made history by winning the Oscar for Best Animated Feature, marking the first Academy Award victory for Latvia. The dialogue-free film, created using open-source software Blender on a budget of $3.4 million, tells the story of a solitary cat navigating survival after a flood. Zilbalodis expressed gratitude for the film's reception and emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, "We must overcome our differences and find ways to work together." 'Flow' triumphed over notable contenders such as Disney/Pixar's 'Inside Out 2' and DreamWorks' 'The Wild Robot,' solidifying its place in animation history. This win follows a successful awards season, including a Golden Globe, and reflects a growing recognition of independent animation globally. The victory continues a trend of international films capturing the animated feature award, as seen in last year's win by Hayao Miyazaki's 'The Boy and the Heron.'