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Made with the free software program Blender, it has a rugged look but a smooth heart. It features no dialogue, just a few animal noises as a grayish-black cat makes its way out of a water-logged home.

Zilbalodis gives no clues about time or setting but lets us marvel at the way animals look out for one another as they escape a flooded area. The cat is soon joined by a yellow Labrador, a capybara, a lemur and a secretarybird on a boat that seems to have been abandoned. Then, it’s a matter of surviving all sorts of disasters – not the least of which is a lack of food. Luckily, the cat knows how to fish and isn’t afraid to share.

How seemingly disparate creatures bond during times of struggle is key to “Flow.� Their friendship gives us hope during our more frightening moments and says plenty about facing adversity with grace.

While Zilbalodis’ style takes a little getting used to (the characters look like they were drawn with markers), his animation is unassailable. The unlikely travel partners move believably and when the cat jumps in the water you can almost feel the waves lap against its fur. Real animal sounds were used for the creatures’ voices; ambient sound makes you feel like you’re in the boat with them.

“Flow� has surprises, too (get ready for the whale), and an ending that seems oddly comforting.

The cat is a real scene stealer (based on Zilbalodis’ pet) who moves just like one in your house. When you see its bravery, you realize you’ve been underestimating the animals in your care.

More than anything, “Flow� exhibits a kind of creativity that doesn’t fly at big-studio animation departments. It insists there are other styles of drawing, and it demonstrates how involving something so simple can be.

It's an amazing accomplishment that rivals the animals' journey every step of the way.