ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Lotte Reiniger's 'Prince Achmed' Celebrates 100 Years as First Animated Feature

cultural-heritage · 2026-05-01

Lotte Reiniger's 'The Adventures of Prince Achmed', recognized as the first feature-length animated film in cinema history, premiered 100 years ago. The film, created using intricate silhouette animation, continues to captivate audiences with its artistry and innovation. Reiniger, a pioneering female filmmaker, crafted the film through a labor-intensive process involving cut-out paper silhouettes and a multi-plane camera. The work is celebrated for its technical mastery and enduring influence on animation.

Key facts

  • Lotte Reiniger directed 'The Adventures of Prince Achmed'
  • The film premiered 100 years ago
  • It is considered the first feature-length animated film
  • The film uses silhouette animation technique
  • Reiniger was a pioneering female animator
  • The film continues to be celebrated for its artistry

Entities

Artists

  • Lotte Reiniger

Sources