Latvian Filmmakers Stun with Chilling Animated Feature 'Dog of God'

In a significant development for Latvian cinema, the animated feature film 'Dog of God' has been acquired by Cartuna for North American distribution. The chilling period horror-fantasy, directed by Latvian filmmakers Lauris Ābele and Raitis Ābele, has been making waves on the international festival circuit.

'Dog of God' is set to represent Latvia in the international Oscar race and has also been shortlisted for the European Film Awards for best animated feature. This achievement comes on the heels of Latvia's first-ever Oscar win earlier this year, when the animated film 'Flow' took home the Academy Award.

Rendered in rotoscope animation, 'Dog of God' is set in a 17th century Livonian village, where a missing relic, witchcraft, and a self-proclaimed werewolf called the "Dog of God" upend the fragile order of the villagers. The film has been described as a "cult favorite amongst enthusiasts of dark fantasy, graphic novels and genre-stretching absurdist cinema," drawing praise for its bold and unsettling approach to adult animation.

Cartuna, a company known for championing unconventional voices in the medium, is thrilled to bring 'Dog of God' to North American audiences in 2026. The film's directors, Lauris and Raitis Ābele, have expressed their excitement about the partnership, with Raitis Ābele stating that the distributors they spoke to were "impressed and afraid" by the singular vision of the project.