Zilbalodis is an animator, film director, and artist. His latest animated film "Flow" has been a huge success with 100,000 viewers in Latvia and 16 international awards.
"It is truly unique that a film made in Riga is experiencing such a world-wide acclaim - director Gints Zilbalodis' "Flow"has already received acclaim from both the general public and film professionals, and I sincerely wish that it will add the European Film Academy Award and the prestigious Oscar statuette to the accolades it has already received.
"But no film can be made without its director, so I congratulate Gints Zilbalodis on being named "Rīgan of the Year" in 2024 - may it inspire him to new creative heights! I also congratulate this year's recipients of the Certificates of Recognition - each of you with your work and all of us together making Riga better," said Riga mayor Viļnis Ķirsis (New Unity) in his congratulatory speech.
The recipients of the Certificate of Recognition are Raimonds Strokšs, Juris Dambis, Inese Grandāne and Jurģis Cābulis.
A person of any nationality and citizenship who has reached the age of 18 and has contributed to the recognition of Riga and drawn public attention to the capital of Latvia through his/her talent and work may apply for the municipal award "Rīgan of the Year". Anyone from Riga can apply for the award or submit their candidate.
