Cartuna has acquired North American distribution rights to “Dog of God,” the animated feature film written and directed by Latvian filmmakers Lauris Abele and Raitis Abele, following its screening at the Sitges Film Festival. The company will release the film theatrically in 2026.
“Dog of God” also represents Latvia in the international Oscar race and was shortlisted for the European Film Awards for Best Animated Feature Film. Animation could prove successful for Latvia once again come awards season: earlier this year, “Flow” won an Academy Award for animated feature film, Latvia’s first, and also earned an international feature film nomination.
Rendered in rotoscope animation, “Dog of God” is a period fantasy horror film set in a 17th-century Livonian village. The film follows the villagers as a missing relic, witchcraft, and a self-proclaimed werewolf called the “Hound of God” upend their fragile order.
Ivo Briedis and Harijs Grundmanis are co-writers of “Dog of God”, produced by Kristele Pudane, Raitis Abele and Giovanni Labadessa. Premiering at the Tribeca Festival and screening at more than 30 festivals around the world, including Fantasia and FrightFest, the film garnered praise for pushing the boundaries of adult animation – described by Variety as “a cult favorite among fans of dark fantasy, graphic novels, and genre-spanning absurdist cinema, a la Yorgos Lanthimos.”
“’Dog of God’ is one of those films that defies categorization – it’s part parable, part fever dream,” said James Belfer, founder and CEO of Cartuna. “It’s bold, unsettling and darkly funny in all the best ways. Lauris and Raitis have such a singular vision and we’re excited to champion it to audiences who are hungry for something truly new in animation.”
Director Raitis Abele was equally excited about the partnership, proclaiming: “The distributors I spoke with were impressed and scared. Cartuna was no exception.”
Cartuna, founded by James and Adam Belfer, champions unconventional voices in animation, producing and distributing projects that push the boundaries of form, tone and technology. This year’s acquisitions include “Boys Go to Jupiter,” “Dead Lover” and “Tamala 2030: A Punk Cat in Dark.”
The deal was negotiated by Justyna Koronkiewicz of Media Move on behalf of the filmmakers and James Belfer for Cartuna.
