International Animation Day: Celebrating creations around the world

On 28th October every year, the world celebrates International Animation Day to honour the power of animation to unite and inspire. The day was established by the International Animated Film Association (ASIFA) in 2002 to illustrate the impact of animation on entertainment and education. 

Animation is a form of art that has captured the hearts of young and old across the globe. From the beautiful fairy tales of Disney to the adventures of Pixar to the inspirational stories of Studio Ghibli, animation transcends the language barrier. It brings forth stories reflecting the creativity and diversity of human experiences.

During the ancient age, storytelling was the only leisure for people in the form of cave paintings that depicted early shadow puppetry and that is how the roots of animation were formed. It wasn’t until the 20th Century that animation truly became a medium for visual storytelling. A French caricaturist and animator, Emile Cohl, who is considered ‘The father of animated films,’ created one of the first fully animated movies, ‘ Fantasmagorie’ in 1908. The movie featured a whimsical series of drawings that transformed into several characters. His unique technique laid the groundwork for modern animation by mixing humour and visuals.

With time, technology evolved and so does animation which found new ways to capture the heart of the audience. In 1920, the introduction of cel animation took the world by storm and it was also the beginning of Walt Disney which brought characters like Mickey Mouse to life. In the year 1930, Warner Bros introduced a series that became the foundation of Western animation, namely Looney Tunes.

One of the most pivotal moments in the history of animation is the introduction of Computer-generated Imagery (CGI) which showcased the potential of 3D animation by blending old techniques with modern technology to create visually appealing stories. Today, animation is composed of several styles and formats from 2D to stop-motion. It is a powerful medium for expression and connection across the world.

North America is considered the birthplace of the feature animation industry with the establishment of studios such as Disney and Warne Bros. The first-ever feature-length animated film is Disney’s ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’ (1937) which serves as the pioneer of storytelling and character development in animation. The innovation in animation technology by using synchronised sound and technicolour in Disney’s movies captivated the audience and paved the way for a new genre.

As the animation industry evolved, so did the themes in the animated movies such as tackling complex issues like loss and environmental conservation in movies ‘The Lion King’ and ‘Finding Nemo’ which resonated with young and adults, both. ‘The Incredibles’ and ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-verse’ showcased unique animation styles and storytelling as the rise of independent animation in North America brought diverse voices to the industry.

A blend of traditional art forms and modern technology has been used vastly in the animation industry of Asia. One of the countries from Asia that has gained global recognition for its extraordinary animation is Japan. It is particularly renowned for its anime which encompasses a range of genres and themes. An iconic animation studio in Japan namely Studio Ghibli has created iconic movies such as Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro and more showcasing not only stunning visuals but also a compelling narrative that reflects societal values and environmental concerns.