‘Flow’ Director Gints Zilbalodis Sets Next Film ‘Limbo’ for 2028

Following the Oscar-winning success of Flow, Latvian filmmaker Gints Zilbalodis is currently developing his next animated feature, Limbo.

Producer and co-writer Matīss Kaža recently told The Hollywood Reporter that the film is scheduled for release in 2028 and represents a major evolution for the director, marking his first project to feature spoken dialogue. Beyond that, details remain scant, but here’s what we know so far.

Like Flow, Limbo is being developed primarily in Blender, with Zilbalodis simultaneously writing, animating, and composing music. “All these different elements, which traditionally come in various stages, are being worked on at the same time,” Kaža explained in his THR interview. He stressed that retaining artistic independence is crucial: “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.’”

The project has already secured significant backing. Latvia’s National Film Center awarded Limbo the largest grant in its history, more than €2 million, underscoring both national pride and confidence in Zilbalodis’ creative vision. The film is again being co-produced with France’s Sacrebleu Productions, which partnered on Flow.

Kaža emphasized that the team views these projects not only as art but also as a form of cultural expression. Flow has already garnered international attention for Latvia, even drawing tourists to Riga. With Limbo, the filmmakers hope to deepen Latvia’s profile as a hub for auteur-driven animation.

“It’s very rare that there are so many high-quality animated films coming from a very small country,” Kaža said, citing Zilbalodis alongside Latvian animators Signe Baumane and Ilze Burkovska-Jacobsen.

With Limbo, Zilbalodis isn’t just following up on an Oscar win; he’s expanding the possibilities of what independent animation from a small country can achieve. While 2028 may feel like a long way away, if Flow proved anything, it’s that his singular blend of visual poetry and uncompromising vision is worth waiting for.