MoPA Launches New Stop Motion Program Amid Global Revival
Arles, France – September 2025 — The 2025 Oscars once again reminded the world that stop motion is far from a relic of animation history. With films like Mémoires d’un escargot, Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and Wander to Wonder earning recognition, the handcrafted art of frame-by-frame puppetry continues to inspire audiences and creators alike. And now, France’s MoPA (Motion Pictures in Arles) is ensuring that the next generation of artists can carry this legacy forward with a brand-new program dedicated entirely to stop motion animation.
Stop Motion at the Oscars
The Academy spotlighted several stop motion works this year, proving once again that tangible artistry has a permanent seat at animation’s biggest stage. The delicate and emotional Mémoires d’un escargot (Memoir of a Snail), the triumphant return of Aardman’s classic duo in Wallace & Gromit: Vengeance Most Fowl, and the poetic short Wander to Wonder stood out among nominees. Other films, such as Beautiful Men, reinforced stop motion’s continued relevance and bold creative possibilities.
Why Audiences Still Love Stop Motion
Stop motion’s enduring magic lies in its craftsmanship. Unlike the slick perfection of CGI, puppets and sets made by hand bear the textures of real materials. Each imperfection adds charm, reminding viewers of the human effort behind the illusion. As Guillermo del Toro, Laika Studios, and Wes Anderson have all shown, this authenticity is something digital tools can’t fully replicate.
At the same time, stop motion evolves with technology. 3D printing now allows studios like Laika to fabricate thousands of expressive puppet faces. Video games such as Harold Halibut and the upcoming South of Midnight use stop motion techniques for immersive, tactile worlds. Advertising and exhibitions are also embracing the form, from Johnny Kelly’s moving animal welfare campaign with singer Sia, to Jim Capobianco’s Léo exhibition at the Clos Lucé in Amboise.
MoPA’s New Stop Motion Program
Starting September 2025, MoPA launches a three-year curriculum designed to immerse students in every aspect of stop motion filmmaking. From sculpting and fabricating puppets to mastering lighting and cinematography, students will gain hands-on training across the full pipeline.
The program emphasizes:
- Craftsmanship – building durable, expressive puppets and sets.
- Animation – mastering movement frame by frame, pacing, and performance.
- Technology Integration – using 3D printing, digital compositing, and modern production tools.
- Cinematography – shaping atmosphere through lighting, framing, and camera work.
- Team Collaboration – producing short films under professional conditions, guided by industry mentors.
Graduates will be prepared for careers as animators, character designers, directors, art directors, and beyond. By opening this new track, MoPA positions itself as a leading European hub for students who dream of turning stop motion into a career.
A Future Built Frame by Frame
From The Nightmare Before Christmas to Pinocchio, stop motion has always walked the line between tradition and innovation. Today, with new technologies, renewed industry recognition, and institutions like MoPA investing in education, the medium is not only surviving — it’s thriving. For aspiring artists, the message is clear: stop motion remains one of the most vibrant, rewarding ways to bring imagination to life.
Reference: MoPA – Stop Motion: A Technique More Alive Than Ever
