International Animation Day – October 28, 2024

International Animation Day is celebrated annually on October 28th, highlighting the immense role animation plays in our lives today. From 3D movies and cartoons to video games, animation surrounds us and enriches modern entertainment. This day commemorates the first public performance of Charles-Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique, paying tribute to the artists, scientists, and technicians who bring animation to life.

“Animation offers a medium of story telling and visual entertainment which can bring pleasure and information to people of all ages everywhere in the world.” – Walt Disney

International Animation Day Observance

History of International Animation Day

International Animation Day (IAD) was first celebrated in 2002. The International Animated Film Association, known as ASIFA (Association Internationale du Film d’Animation), established this day to honor the art of animation. ASIFA, an official partner of UNESCO, organized this celebration to recognize all forms of cinema and art. The unofficial holiday is specifically observed on this date to commemorate the first public presentation of Charles-Émile Reynaud’s Théâtre Optique at the Grévin Museum in Paris, France.

The Théâtre Optique, or Optical Theater, is a device that projects images onto a screen using a projector and mirrors. The images are painted on a ribbon wound onto a spool, which unwinds as the images are projected onto the screen. Another spool then winds the ribbon back as the projection progresses. Reynaud presented three cartoons during each show, personally acting as the projectionist and accompanied by a pianist. Each cartoon consisted of around 600 individually drawn images, with each cartoon lasting about 15 minutes.

Animation is the art of creating moving images by displaying static images in rapid succession. Each image slightly differs from the one before it, creating the illusion of movement. Originally, these images were hand-drawn pictures and paintings. Today, artists primarily create animations digitally using computers. Animation events are now celebrated in more than 50 countries worldwide, with over 1,000 events taking place annually.

Other Celebrations on October 28

October 28 is also celebrated as

• Plush Animal Lovers Day

How to Celebrate International Animation Day

Watch an animated movie to celebrate and learn about the art of animation! Start by exploring the journey from Walt Disney’s early creations to today’s advanced technology. Encourage others to learn and create animated movies. Share your celebration on social media with hashtags like #InternationalAnimationDay, #Animation and #AnimationDay.