Nils Skapāns

Born 25 September 1969 in Riga, Latvia

Died 20 September 2021 (aged 51)

Nils Skapāns (1969-2021) was a Latvian animation director, artist and producer. After having worked with puppet animation in the 90s, Skapāns became known for experimenting with different materials - for example, he worked with wood figurines in his animation film for grown-ups, "Brickannia", or with ceramics in "Flap Your Wings!" - before settling with plasticine animation in later years. Since receiving Berlin Film Festival's Crystal Bear for "Let's Fly?!", Skapāns's films have frequently been shown in different film festivals. His last film, "The Nap", which has been nominated as the best animation film in Latvian Film Awards Lielais Kristaps, and will have its premiere after the director's passing.