October 28, 2026#AnimationDay
Celebrate International Animation Day with Hand Shadow Puppets
Before cartoons, there were shadows — the original animation
What is International Animation Day?
International Animation Day honors Emile Reynaud's Theatre Optique (October 28, 1892), the first public performance of projected moving images. Shadow puppets preceded even that — moving silhouettes projected on a surface, animated by human hands.
Established: 2002 by ASIFA (International Animated Film Association)Official source
How it connects to hand shadows
Shadow puppets are arguably the oldest form of animation: a moving image projected by a light source. The hand is the animator, the wall is the screen, and the shadow is the character.
How to celebrate with shadow puppets
- 1.Find a dim room with a light-colored wall. A bedroom, hallway, or living room at night works well.
- 2.Use a single light source — your iPhone flashlight, a desk lamp, or a flashlight. Position it behind you, about 15–18 inches from your hand.
- 3.Start with the rabbit — two fingers up for ears, a fist for the head. It is the classic first figure for a reason.
- 4.Try the dog next — use your thumb and pinky to open and close the mouth. Give it a voice.
- 5.Take a photo or video of your best shadow and share it to r/shadowpals with #AnimationDay.
Try it yourself
Shadow Pals is a free iPhone app that coaches you through hand shadow figures in real time. It uses the camera to track your hand and show you exactly which fingers to adjust.