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Following the Oscar-winning success of Flow, Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis is gearing up for his next animated feature, titled Limbo. In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, producer and co-writer Matīss Kaža shared that the film is expected to hit theaters in 2028, marking a significant milestone for Zilbalodis as it will be his first project to include spoken dialogue.

While details about Limbo are still under wraps, several key aspects have come to light:

• Similar to Flow, Limbo is primarily being developed using Blender.
• Zilbalodis is taking a hands-on approach, simultaneously writing, animating, and composing the film’s music.
• Kaža emphasized the collaborative nature of the project, stating, “All these different elements, which traditionally come in various stages, are being worked on at the same time.”

Kaža also highlighted the importance of artistic independence in their collaboration, saying, “Even I, as the producer, have the right to comment and to give notes, but when we disagree, I always say to Gints: ‘If you want to do it this way, you know best.’” This creative freedom has already attracted significant support, with Latvia’s National Film Center awarding Limbo the largest grant in its history, exceeding €2 million. This funding reflects the national pride and confidence in Zilbalodis’ creative vision.

The film is being co-produced with Sacrebleu Productions from France, the same company that collaborated on Flow. Kaža noted that the creative team views these projects not just as artistic endeavors but also as vital forms of cultural expression. Flow has already put Latvia on the map, attracting international attention and even drawing tourists to Riga.

With Limbo, the filmmakers aim to further elevate Latvia’s status as a hub for auteur-driven animation. Kaža remarked, “It’s very rare that there are so many high-quality animated films coming from a very small country,” pointing to Zilbalodis alongside fellow Latvian animators Signe Baumane and Ilze Burkovska-Jacobsen.

As Zilbalodis embarks on this new journey, he is not only building on his Oscar win but also expanding the horizons of independent animation from a small nation. While 2028 may seem far off, Flow has proven that Zilbalodis’ unique blend of visual artistry and unwavering vision is certainly worth the wait.