Flow, an animated film about a solitary cat who hesitatingly joins forces with a group of other animals when their world is upended by cataclysmic floods, has won this year’s edition of the LUX Audience Award.
The awards ceremony was held at the EU Parliament hemicycle in Brussels on April 29. Present for the event were representatives of the nominated films, MEPs and members of the public.
Directed by Gints Zilbalodis, Flow has captured the attention and hearts of viewers worldwide with its simple storyline about the value of relationships, especially in uncertain times.
The Latvian-French-Belgian production has won various accolades since its release last year, including the Oscar for best animated film in March.
“Our film is about trust, respect, working together and personal growth, that we should change and inspire others. I think that only by coming together, listening to each other and letting go of ignorance can we achieve something really important,” co-composer Rihards Zalupe said on collecting the award in Brussels on behalf of Zilbalodis and the production team.
“So I believe that in these difficult times, it’s really important and even our responsibility to become wiser and show more respect for nature, the earth, God and, most importantly, for each other.”
‘Blessed by the gods’
In the film, the cat finds refuge on a boat populated by various species when its home is devastated by major floods. Despite their differences, these animals – which include a lemur, a capybara, a secretary bird and a dog − slowly learn to accept each other and navigate the challenges and dangers that lie ahead together.
The dialogue-free film, which took four years to complete, draws inspiration from biblical and mythological stories, such as Noah’s Ark and the Leviathan creature, to convey its message. It also features a unique visual style ‒ a hybridisation between animation and video game cinematics.
During a brief speech before the winner was announced, Ron Dyens, co-producer of Flow, said the film “was blessed by the gods” as it had found financial support and “unbelievable cooperation” in Latvia, France and Belgium.
He said the film is primarily Latvian, which he noted was significant given Latvia’s limited funding resources.
“But we made it and we had a chance to win the Oscar next to movies that were 60 times more expensive than our movie,” Dyens said proudly.
He also said that the film is a co-production, stressing that differences foster complementarity and that complementarity “elevates us”.
“This is what this movie is about but also what Europe is about… we have to keep going in this direction,” he said.
‘The power of cinema’
Flow was one of five nominated films that made it to the LUX Audience Award shortlist.
The other films were the 2023 drama Animal, directed by Sofia Exarchou (Greece, Austria, Romania, Cyprus, Bulgaria); the 2024 documentary film Dahomey, directed by Mati Diop (France, Senegal, Benin); the 2024 documentary Intercepted, directed by Oksana Karpovych (Canada, France, Ukraine); and the 2024 drama Julie Keeps Quiet, directed by Leonardo van Dijl (Belgium, Sweden).
The films were shown across cinemas across Europe in March and April. Locally, they were screened at Spazju Kreattiv, in Valletta, and at the Citadel Cinema, in Victoria.
The winner was selected jointly by MEPs and members of the public on the basis of one- to five-star ratings, with the two groups’ rating weighted evenly.
About 33,000 people cast their vote this year.
During her address, Nela Riehl, chair of the EP Committee on Culture and Education, said the strong participation shows the power of cinema as a tool for democratic engagement.
“Cinema engages us to reflect, feel and engage. In a time of uncertainty, disinformation and fake news, free cultural expression becomes a form of democratic resistance, a tool for true empathy and dialogue,” she said.
“The LUX Audience Award is a powerful tool for our communication with citizens, supporting European democracy and reflecting the values of the European Parliament.”
‘A tool for active citizenship’
European Parliament vice president Sabine Verheyen shared similar thoughts in a video address during the ceremony.
She said the LUX Audience Award was about “bringing European stories to the people, but just as importantly, bringing the people closer to the work of the European Parliament”.
She said that the five nominated films represented “some of the most urgent and compelling issues of our time… issues that are at the core of the European Parliament’s agenda”.
These include labour rights, social inequality and the struggle for dignity in the workplace (Animal), the painful history of colonisation and cultural heritage restitution (Dahomey), media freedom, surveillance and the impact of disinformation (Intercepted), gender-based violence and the fight for justice (Julie Keeps Quiet) and climate change, migration and displacement (Flow).
Each of these films goes beyond storytelling, she added.
“They engage, challenge and inspire action, and this is the essence of the Lux Audience Award – a celebration of cinema that connects people, politics and European values.”
She thanked film crews and reminded them that their films serve as cultural ambassadors that transcend language and cultural barriers.
She also said that the fact that tens of thousands of people attended screenings across Europe and more than 30,000 cast their vote, shows that cinema is not just an artistic expression but “a tool for active citizenship”.
“Your participation shows your role in shaping the future of Europe… through discussion, voting and making your voice heard,” Verheyen said.
“So today, let us not only celebrate European cinema, but also the power of participation, debate and democracy. Let’s continue this conversation not just through film but also through daily engagement in our communities, through debate and elections and in every moment when our voice matters.”
The LUX Audience Award is organised by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, in partnership with the European Commission and the Europa Cinemas network.
