Latvia’s ‘Flow’ and Iran’s ‘In the Shadow of the Cypress’ Achieve…

The 2025 Academy Awards honored Latvia’s “Flow” for Best Animated Feature and Iran’s “In the Shadow of the Cypress” for Best Animated Short, marking historic wins for both countries. Gints Zilbalodis’s “Flow” has received widespread acclaim and significant box office success, while Molayemi and Sohani’s short highlights critical social issues. Both filmmakers expressed gratitude in their acceptance speeches, celebrating creativity’s role in overcoming adversity.

At the 2025 Academy Awards, Latvia’s animated feature “Flow,” directed by Gints Zilbalodis, emerged victorious in the Best Animated Feature category. This wordless production, which premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, outperformed major contenders, including the American films “Inside Out 2” and “Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl.” Since its release, “Flow” has achieved over $20 million in global revenues, marking it as Latvia’s most successful theatrical release and the nation’s first Oscar-winning film. It also received accolades from the Golden Globe, BAFTA, and Cesar awards.

In his acceptance speech, Zilbalodis expressed gratitude to his team, studio partners, and family. He noted, “We are really moved by the wide reception the film has had around the world… This is the first time a film from Latvia has been honored with an Academy Award, so it means a lot to us.” His remarks emphasized collaboration and unity in the animation community, reiterating a message of overcoming differences through creativity.

Additionally, Iran’s animated short “In the Shadow of the Cypress,” directed by Hossein Molayemi and Shirin Sohani, won the Oscar for Best Animated Short. This poignant film addresses post-traumatic stress disorder faced by a father and his daughter. This recognition marks Iran’s inaugural Academy Award win in this category and follows the nomination of “Our Uniform” in the prior year.

The directors faced significant challenges prior to the ceremony, having received their U.S. visas just hours before the event. In their acceptance speech, they stated, “It is a miracle, and speaking in front of this expectant audience is very hard for us. Just the fact that we managed to make this film under these circumstances shows that miracles do happen.” They dedicated their award to those enduring personal and societal struggles, especially within Iran.

“In the Shadow of the Cypress” has showcased its credibility by being featured in numerous prestigious film festivals, including Venice and Tribeca, as well as receiving nominations for the Annie Awards and the Annecy Cristal prize. Moreover, the Oscar for Best Visual Effects was awarded for the work on “Dune: Part Two.” The ceremony also honored animator Fumi Kitahara in the In Memoriam segment.

In summary, the 2025 Academy Awards celebrated significant achievements in animation, showcasing innovative works from independent filmmakers such as Gints Zilbalodis and the husband-wife duo Molayemi and Sohani. Both “Flow” and “In the Shadow of the Cypress” highlight the power of storytelling and artistry. These films not only gained international recognition but also serve as a testament to the resilience and creativity of artists from diverse backgrounds, paving the way for future independent projects. Furthermore, the ceremony paid tribute to the late animation publicist Fumi Kitahara, underscoring the deep impact of individuals in the creative community.

Original Source: www.animationmagazine.net