Groundbreaking Animation Feature “The secret of the Chickadees” Crafted Entirely From Cut Paper
A new animated feature film, “The Secret of the Chickadees,” is poised to make cinematic history as the first full-length movie created using the painstaking technique of cut-paper animation. The film, a production of Folimage studio, required 12 years to complete, with three years dedicated solely to the image-by-image cutting and animation of its various paper layers.
This innovative approach to filmmaking distinguishes “The Secret of the chickadees” from typical animation, emphasizing the tangible craft of its creation. Director antoine Lanciaux explained the artistic intent, stating the team aimed to evoke “emotions, very archaic sensations…of touch, texture, material, velvety of paper, cutter cut, glue.” The film’s unique aesthetic is intended to resonate with contemporary audiences seeking a sensitive and delicate artistic experience.
The film is scheduled for release in theaters on Wednesday, October 22, 2025. loreleï Palies, commenting on the film’s technique, noted, “It is a technique often used in short films, but in feature film, it is the first. It is a challenge because everything is disproportionate but we can see that it is the craft of animation. We feel the hand of man, it is not perfect everywhere but that’s what is lovely.” The project is a France Télévisions production.
