‘Flow’ Wins 2025 LUX Audience Award: A Wordless European Masterpiece With a Message

The European Parliament’s hemicycle in Brussels transformed into a celebration of storytelling, artistry, and values as the 2025 LUX Audience Award was bestowed upon the animated film Straume (Flow), a Latvian-French-Belgian co-production directed by Gints Zilbalodis. The announcement marks another milestone for the widely acclaimed animated feature, which has taken global audiences by storm — and done so largely in silence.

Often described as the “little kitty that could,” Flow is no stranger to accolades. The film, which tells the tale of a solitary cat navigating a flooded world, has already clinched top honours at the Oscars, the Golden Globes, and the European Film Awards, beating out industry giants such as Moana 2 and Inside Out 2. But the LUX Audience Award stands apart — not only for its prestige, but for what it represents.

A Pan-European Celebration of Cinema and Values

The LUX Audience Award, a joint initiative by the European Parliament and the European Film Academy, celebrates European cinematic excellence that engages with pressing societal issues. Unlike traditional film awards judged solely by industry experts, the LUX prize is voted for by both Members of the European Parliament and everyday viewers across Europe, making it a unique bridge between art and the public.

“The LUX Audience Award is more than just a prize. It is a testament to the European Parliament’s commitment to democracy, freedom of expression and the role of cinema in reflecting and shaping our societies,” said European Parliament Vice-President Sabine Verheyen during the award ceremony.

She added: “It brings European stories closer to people and brings people closer to the work of the European Parliament.”

The Power of Silence and the Strength of Story

Flow is unlike any mainstream animated film. It is dialogue-free, yet emotionally rich. Created using the open-source software Blender, the film’s visual storytelling is both striking and meditative, combining haunting natural imagery with deeply human themes — all conveyed through animal characters.

The narrative follows Cat, a solitary creature forced from his home by a devastating flood. As he adapts to a transformed, waterlogged world, Cat finds himself aboard a boat with an eclectic mix of animals, each one with a unique personality — from the enthusiastic Labrador and the grumpy capybara, to the aloof secretary-bird. Together, they form a makeshift community, highlighting the film’s central themes: displacement, resilience, climate change, and the power of unlikely companionship.

In our Best Movies of 2024 countdown, we described Flow as:

“Life-affirming catnip for the soul... While the topic of climate change looms large, Flow is most rewarding when viewed as a simple story told beautifully — at points rather stressful, but ultimately comforting.”

A Universal Message With European Roots

Zilbalodis’s work resonates beyond borders. While rooted in European animation tradition, Flow tackles global themes — a reflection of the increasingly interconnected world we live in. Its success also underscores the growing recognition of independent European animation as a potent storytelling force capable of competing with — and often surpassing — big-budget Hollywood productions.

“The cinematic art in Europe is a perfect example of how culture can make a significant contribution to society and advocate for compassion, empathy and change in an otherwise divided world,” said Mike Downey, chair of the European Film Academy and honorary president of the LUX Selection Committee.

Downey noted that the five LUX nominees this year each offered compelling narratives that showcased “the extraordinary variety of European cinema.” The other shortlisted films included:

• Animal by Greek director Sofia Exarchou
• Dahomey by French director Mati Diop (winner of the Golden Bear at the Berlinale)
• Intercepted by Ukrainian director Oksana Karpovych
• Julie Keeps Quiet by Belgian director Leonardo van Dijl

Each film addressed a distinct issue, from war and colonial history to gender and psychological trauma — reinforcing the LUX Award’s mission to inspire thought and dialogue through cinema.

Looking Forward

For Zilbalodis and his small but passionate team, Flow’s LUX Audience Award win is more than an honour — it’s validation. It proves that audiences still crave authentic, artful storytelling, even when it's devoid of dialogue or flashy production budgets. It also shines a spotlight on open-source creativity, with Blender proving itself a powerful tool in democratising film production.

As Europe faces rising climate anxiety, political tension, and cultural fragmentation, Flow reminds us of the importance of empathy, collaboration, and hope — all seen through the eyes of a small cat trying to stay afloat in a big, uncertain world.

In a sea off noise, Flow speaks volumes without uttering a single word.

Conclusion

The triumph of Flow at the 2025 LUX Audience Award is more than a celebration of artistic excellence — it is a reaffirmation of the power of European cinema to tell meaningful stories that transcend language, borders, and politics. Gints Zilbalodis has crafted a wordless, visually striking tale that touches on some of the most urgent issues of our time, from climate change to community resilience. In doing so, he reminds us that sometimes, the most powerful stories are the ones told in silence — with beauty, emotion, and heart. As Flow continues to resonate with audiences around the world, it stands as a shining example of how cinema can both entertain and inspire change.