Winter cinema at La Villette: free workshops for children focused on animated film

Long before computer-animated films, some filmmakers made characters move using simple silhouettes cut from paper. This is notably the case of Lotte Reiniger, the German pioneer of animation cinema, known for her films made with articulated paper figures in black. Placed in front of a light source, these silhouettes come to life frame by frame and compose worlds close to shadow theatre.

The weekend also highlights Michel Ocelot, a French director best known for Kirikou and the Sorceress and Azur and Asmar. The latter film uses silhouettes and shadow-play sets to tell tales with varied atmospheres.

So, during these two afternoons at Little Villette, children will in turn be able to experiment with animation techniques. After discovering Poucette, a film by Lotte Reiniger, the young participants will be able to make a small scene with cut-paper silhouettes. A way to understand how a character can come to life thanks to a few shapes and a play of light.

Another proposed activity: creating a flip book, this little notebook whose drawings seem to come to life when the pages are flipped rapidly. A simple way to discover the principle of frame-by-frame animation. Families will also be able to enjoy a Little Ciné program dedicated to Michel Ocelot’s works, to extend this discovery on the big screen.

organized within the cultural space Little Villette, in the heart of Parc de la Villette, this event allows children to explore the behind-the-scenes of cinema while unleashing their creativity. And good news: the entire program is free, with on-site registration for the workshops, subject to availability.

The Winter Cinema program at Little Villette

Saturday, January 16, 2027

• 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. — Lotte Reiniger’s Shadows: discovery of the film Poucette, followed by a workshop creating small scenes in cut-paper shadows. From age 5. Duration: about 45 minutes. Free, registration on site.

• 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. — Flip Book: making an animated notebook to understand how to bring images to life. From age 5. Duration: about 45 minutes. Free, registration on site.

• Little Ciné: In the Land of Shadows by Michel Ocelot: a cinema program around the director’s creations. From age 4. Free. Projection times to consult in the Little Ciné program.

Sunday, January 17, 2027

• 3:00 p.m., 4:00 p.m. and 5:00 p.m. — Lotte Reiniger’s Shadows: introduction to silhouette animation in cut paper, after the discovery of Poucette. From age 5. Duration: about 45 minutes. Free, registration on site.

• 3:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. — Flip Book: creation of a small animated book to leaf through to bring drawings to life. From age 5. Duration: about 45 minutes. Free, registration on site.

• Little Ciné: In the Land of Shadows by Michel Ocelot: screenings dedicated to shadow cinema. From age 4. Free. Times to be found in the Little Ciné program.

All activities and workshops are free and open to everyone: please note that for some of them, a limited number of places is offered!