Phenakistoscope Workshop
Giraf21 Festival of Independent Animation
Date: November 12, 2025
Time: 6:30 – 9:30pm
We have been wowed and amazed by @istalri_ GIRAF 21 signal film, now the artist herself will guide participants through the creation of a finished, painted Phenakistoscope disk by using modern animation methods combined with traditional painting for a colourful finish.
The phenakistiscope is regarded as one of the first forms of moving media that paved the way for the future motion picture and film industry. It was the first widespread animation device that created a fluid illusion of motion. Similar to GIFs, it shows a short continuous loop of movement.
This workshop is open to all ages and skill levels.
Sofiya Iurkevich is GIRAF 21’s signal film and poster artist, as well as the animator behind Solace, which will be screening November 13 in the Northern New Wave shorts pack. With painted phenakistoscopes, her Signal Film goes back to the very roots of animation and cinema. Her art is most often inspired by Ukrainian folklore and literature, myth, nature and the fantastical of all kinds.
For more information visit PHENAKISTOSCOPE WORKSHOP | GIRAF21.
About Giraf21
GIRAF is a celebration of independent animation, a showcase of the best of what’s being created here in Canada and around the world. Each year, we scour the globe for the most astounding, inventive, beautiful, mind-altering and unexpected animated films out there. For our 2025 festival, we are happy to announce the festival in-cinema from November 13 – 16 and select film packages streaming online across Canada November 17 – 23, 2025.
