Latvian Ambassador to China Kārlis Eihenbaums (second from right), his wife Mrs Ināra Eihenbauma (second from left) and Chinese audience pose for a group picture during the premiere of Flow in Beijing, on February 26, 2025. Photo: Courtesy of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia in China

Flow, an animated feature from Latvia, won Best Animated Feature at the 2025 Academy Awards on Sunday, securing the first Academy Award for Latvia. Upon the good news, Latvian Ambassador to China Kārlis Eihenbaums told the Global Times that the achievement of the movie is very important for the country. Referring to Chinese animated blockbuster Ne Zha 2, the ambassador also said that he looks forward to more collaborations in the cultural sphere. Both films have ground breaking potential, he said. 

For content creators in Latvia, the ambassador said in a note sent to the Global Times that the wordless cat adventure movie Flow is "making us very proud and proving that yes, we can, if you have great ideas and patience to realize your dreams." 

Latvians are very hard-working people with great ideas, which lead to the success of the movie Flow. So far around 100 different international awards and prizes are received with happiness and honor, he introduced. 

Talking about the movie itself, the ambassador continued that "it is a very Latvian film. It looks and is very realistic, and still remains magical, all without a single word." 

Flow debuted at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival.

The Ambassador told the Global Times that from his observation, just as Ne Zha 2, which premiered during the recent Chinese New Year celebrations, was a game-changer for the Chinese animation industry, Flow also marks a significant milestone in the animation world. 

"Both films exemplify an exciting wave of innovation in this medium and reflect the tremendous love and support audiences have for animated storytelling," he noted.

He told the Global Times the two movies have laid a foundation for cooperative efforts between China and Latvia.

"I sincerely hope that Chinese viewers will appreciate Flow and discover its unique beauty and charm. I also look forward to more collaborations in the cultural sphere. Both films have groundbreaking potential, and I believe they will pave the way for future cooperative endeavors," wrote the ambassador. 

Moreover, the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia is going to host a special screening of Flow on March 14. 

"I also would like to highlight that Flow is the result of a partnership between Latvia, France, and Belgium - demonstrating that cooperation truly is the way forward," the ambassador added. 

It is expected that through holding the event, "better understanding, better awareness of our common world" will be reached, he said.