Animated films about escape and persecution from the Second World War to the present day

"How many pictures do you need for one second of animation?" asks the course instructor. The young participants try to guess. In fact, about 25 images per second are needed to create smooth motion. Producing an animated film requires not only creativity but also a great deal of patience, precision, and planning.

The animation course starts each year in September. Under the guidance of professional media creators, the participants spend a school year collaboratively producing a moving animated film based on a selected contemporary witness biography.

The remembrance and education project consists of two phases.

In the first phase, the focus is on direct encounters and personal exchange with survivors of Nazi persecution. These intensive conversations allow for a profound engagement with historical experiences and promote a reflective approach to memory and responsibility. Young people meet Cologne-based survivors to explore topics such as discrimination, antisemitism, and racism, while also fostering their understanding of democratic values.

Participants have already met contemporary witnesses including Dr. Richard Reinisch, Tamar Dreifuss, Marina Saksaganska, and most recently Peter Finkelgruen, who was born in the Shanghai Ghetto as a result of his parents’ flight after the outbreak of the Second World War. Through these life stories, parallels to current issues such as flight and persecution become apparent.

In the second phase, the participants create the animated films based on the biographies. They engage in creative work, learn modern storytelling techniques, develop scripts, produce drawings, shoot videos at historical sites, record audio, and acquire new technical skills such as capturing still images.

Through the production of animated films, the Federal Association Information and Advice for Survivors of Nazi Persecution (Bundesverband Information & Beratung für NS-Verfolgte e.V.) specifically addresses a young audience. The course particularly targets young people with their own migration or flight experience. By combining a deeper understanding of history with personal exchanges with contemporary witnesses, the project builds a bridge to the present. Central societal issues are addressed, and participants are encouraged to actively engage in promoting democratic values beyond the course. By focusing on personal stories of survivors of Nazi persecution, the project makes a lasting contribution to preventing xenophobia and strengthening values such as tolerance, empathy, and civic courage. The results of the project are presented at public events and made freely accessible online, ensuring their long-term preservation and contribution to remembrance culture.

For more insights into the animation filmmaking process, visit:

Project website: bildungsprojekte.nsberatung.de

Instagram: instagram.com/ns_beratung