Share a Story
Week-long workshops in documentary animation
SHARE A STORY Documentary Animation Lab is an intensive, hands-on workshop designed to explore research-based and visual thinking through the language of animated documentary.
Over five days, participants dive into contemporary approaches to animation, watch and analyse outstanding international works, learn the essentials of storytelling and animation production, and create their own short animated films inspired by real stories.
The lab blends creativity, self-exploration, and technical craft.
It focuses on using art as a way to explore identity, memory and environment — nurturing each participant’s unique artistic voice.
🎞️ please find previous lab projects here: vimeo.com/classofgorya
Over five days, participants dive into contemporary approaches to animation, watch and analyse outstanding international works, learn the essentials of storytelling and animation production, and create their own short animated films inspired by real stories.
The lab blends creativity, self-exploration, and technical craft.
It focuses on using art as a way to explore identity, memory and environment — nurturing each participant’s unique artistic voice.
🎞️ please find previous lab projects here: vimeo.com/classofgorya
The programme aims to
• Introduce participants to the language and forms of contemporary animated documentary
• Develop skills in visual analysis and storytelling
• Learn the basics of stop-motion and editing techniques
• Encourage independent artistic and research-driven expression
• Produce a short animated film based on interviews, observations, or personal narratives
Format
• Duration: 5 days (4–6 hours a day)
• Structure: lectures, screenings and discussions, practical sessions, and one-to-one project guidance
• Outcome: each participant completes a short animated documentary – or a significant part, screened at a final showcase event
• Introduce participants to the language and forms of contemporary animated documentary
• Develop skills in visual analysis and storytelling
• Learn the basics of stop-motion and editing techniques
• Encourage independent artistic and research-driven expression
• Produce a short animated film based on interviews, observations, or personal narratives
Format
• Duration: 5 days (4–6 hours a day)
• Structure: lectures, screenings and discussions, practical sessions, and one-to-one project guidance
• Outcome: each participant completes a short animated documentary – or a significant part, screened at a final showcase event
Documentary animation is truly about freedom.
Freedom to choose how you tell your story — whether it’s stop motion, hand-drawn, digital, 2D, 3D, or something completely your own.
It’s also freedom to choose what you talk about — from something deeply personal and quiet to something historical, social, or political. From playful and poetic to serious and thought-provoking — anything that feels alive to you.
It’s the freedom to express what truly matters, and to invite others to see the world through your eyes.
And the best part? You don’t need any prior experience — just curiosity, and the wish to explore.
Freedom to choose how you tell your story — whether it’s stop motion, hand-drawn, digital, 2D, 3D, or something completely your own.
It’s also freedom to choose what you talk about — from something deeply personal and quiet to something historical, social, or political. From playful and poetic to serious and thought-provoking — anything that feels alive to you.
It’s the freedom to express what truly matters, and to invite others to see the world through your eyes.
And the best part? You don’t need any prior experience — just curiosity, and the wish to explore.
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About the workshop leader
Sofia Gorya is a director, artist, educator, and curator specialising in animation and documentary filmmaking, with over twenty years of industry experience.
She currently lives and works in Paris, France.
Sofia is a Disney Prize winner (Annecy MIFA Pitch 2019) and has worked as a director and art director on projects broadcast by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and France TV — including Fixies, Booba, Tina & Tony, Stripy Zebra, and Mountain of Gems.
Her independent films and music videos have screened at festivals such as CulturaFest (Helsinki), Mental Health Film Festival, Insomnia International Animation Festival, Message to Man, and Rudnik Documentary Festival, among others.
Sofia regularly leads masterclasses and lectures on directing and animation across France, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies (Yerevan, Lyon, Paris).
She also runs her own online school for author-driven animation — Class of Gorya.
below please find
Sofia's CV
List of recent workshops
Sofia Gorya is a director, artist, educator, and curator specialising in animation and documentary filmmaking, with over twenty years of industry experience.
She currently lives and works in Paris, France.
Sofia is a Disney Prize winner (Annecy MIFA Pitch 2019) and has worked as a director and art director on projects broadcast by Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, and France TV — including Fixies, Booba, Tina & Tony, Stripy Zebra, and Mountain of Gems.
Her independent films and music videos have screened at festivals such as CulturaFest (Helsinki), Mental Health Film Festival, Insomnia International Animation Festival, Message to Man, and Rudnik Documentary Festival, among others.
Sofia regularly leads masterclasses and lectures on directing and animation across France, Armenia, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan, in collaboration with the TUMO Center for Creative Technologies (Yerevan, Lyon, Paris).
She also runs her own online school for author-driven animation — Class of Gorya.
below please find
Sofia's CV
List of recent workshops
Sample Schedule
Day 1 — Introduction to Animated Documentary
• Welcome session and lab overview
• Screening and discussion of international works
• Exploring key modes: autobiographical, observational, interview-based, essay-style
Day 2 — Research and Concept Development
• Building a visual map of your project
• Investigating personal and local stories
• Developing concept and narrative structure
• Recording interviews and voice materials
Day 3 — Visual Language
• Overview of techniques: collage, stop-motion, pixilation
• Practical animation exercises
• Preparing visuals and materials for production
Day 4 — Production
• Individual and team project work
• Animation, sound recording, and editing
• Mentoring and creative support
Day 5 — Finishing and Presentation
• Final edits and sound
• Preparing for public screening
• Film showcase, feedback, and reflective discussion
Day 1 — Introduction to Animated Documentary
• Welcome session and lab overview
• Screening and discussion of international works
• Exploring key modes: autobiographical, observational, interview-based, essay-style
Day 2 — Research and Concept Development
• Building a visual map of your project
• Investigating personal and local stories
• Developing concept and narrative structure
• Recording interviews and voice materials
Day 3 — Visual Language
• Overview of techniques: collage, stop-motion, pixilation
• Practical animation exercises
• Preparing visuals and materials for production
Day 4 — Production
• Individual and team project work
• Animation, sound recording, and editing
• Mentoring and creative support
Day 5 — Finishing and Presentation
• Final edits and sound
• Preparing for public screening
• Film showcase, feedback, and reflective discussion
please feel free to contact us at classofgorya@gmail.com
