FLOW : 2025 LUX Audience Award, a mirror of today’s society

FLOW : Accessibility and solidarity among citizens

The strength of FLOW, produced by the Letton Gints Zilbalodis, lies in its ability to speak to all people and generations without any distinction : an animated film in silent and animal language. LUX was awarded by Nela Riehl, president of the Committee on Culture and Education. Co-funded by the Creative Europe programme, FLOW was selected at Cannes for Un Certain Regard category and received notable industry awards : Jury Award, Audience Award, Gan Foundation Award for Distribution and Best Original Music Award (Annecy International Animation Film Festival).

This post-apocalyptic masterpiece describes a world left by humans, where nature reasserts itself : biodiversity and seascapes. Cooperation and solidarity are its guiding principles. Choosing FLOW allows you to reach everyone without any barriers.

The story of this cat, FLOW, reflects our relationship with hive minds as European citizens, whether or not they are part of the EU. Tensions regarding current relations with the United States and the countries in conflict force us to emphasise on our transparency and our identity.

This Franco-Belgian-Latvian co-creation encourages us to take climate change very seriously, as humans are completely away. Biodiversity and solidarity among different species’ peers are the common thread. Considering the human footprint’s impact and consequences is essential to our continuity. The solidarity of the different animals throughout the film leads us to question our immediate ability to cooperate hand in hand among Europeans and other continents. Through the cat’s figure, the filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis conveys his personal story. In this fiction, FLOW overcomes the fears of teamwork and water.

European recognition of cinema open to everyone

As part of film-making openness, Parliament has been working since 2020 with the European Film Academy, the Commission and Europa Cinemas to engage in dialogue between public affairs and citizens by subtitling the five finalists in the EU’s 24 official languages.

Created in 2007, the LUX Prize has been voted on since 2020 by the general public and by the legislators of the European Parliament at 50%. Nominating five works from Member States helps educate citizens on issues of general interest, thanks to screenings and exchanges taking place in the Member States. To energize young people, LUX is organizing the “Young Talents” program in 2025 for young professionals in the sector, in order to raise awareness of the European benefits that the LUX Audience Award may bring.

FLOW is a mix of contemporary issues : climate change, floods, migration flows and each person’s own conception of the world. Recognizing and promoting European art-house cinema helps raise awareness of current systemic issues. According to the Vice-President of the Parliament and of the Culture and Education Committee in Parliament, Sabine Verheyen : “Each of these films goes beyond narrative. They challenge, question, and inspire action. And that is the essence of the LUX Audience Award : a celebration of cinema that connects people, politics, and European values.”