Dada! Animation is currently working on They Were Millions, a three-episode animated documentary retracing the major European migration between the 18th and 19th centuries. Initiated by SEPPIA and co-produced with ARTE France, Arte GEIE, Arte Germany/Saarländischer Rundfunk, and Indi Film (Germany), the series blends documentary sequences with animated re-enactments inspired by graphic novels.
A European co-production combining animation and documentary
They Were Millions tells the story of Europe’s largest migration phenomenon, in which tens of millions of men and women left their homelands along the Rhine to venture across the world—to North and South America, as well as the far reaches of Russia and Africa. Through a mix of documentary footage and animation, the series sheds light on these great migrations that have shaped our world.
2D and 3D Animation bringing History to life
The animated sequences, created by Dada! Animation in partnership with German studio SERU Animation, employ various AI tools to achieve a distinctive visual style by applying a style transfer technique from hand-drawn artworks onto 3D animated renderings. This approach enhances the visual impact of the extraordinary journeys of families who left everything behind to build a new life thousands of kilometers away.
A documentary series by Marc Ball and Patrick Cabouat, in collaboration with Bruno Ulmer, Catherine Ulmer-Lopez, and Valériane Cariou.
Clients: Seppia, Arte
Format: 3 x 52’
Target audience: Families and adults
Status: In production
Expected release: 2025
