Paperman

Genre: Romantic Fantasy, Animation

Duration: ~6 minutes

Director: John Kahrs

Produced by: Walt Disney Animation Studios

Style: Black-and-white animation blended with CG (a hybrid technique called Meander)

📍Setting

The story is set in mid-20th century New York City, in a bustling urban environment filled with trains, tall buildings, and busy streets. The film is presented in black and white, evoking a nostalgic, timeless feel.

👤 Main Character

George: A young, lonely office worker. He’s modest, a bit shy, and stuck in the monotonous routine of working a desk job in the city.

🕊️ The Story

1. The Chance Encounter

One morning, George is waiting for a train when a gust of wind blows a piece of paper into his face. As he pulls it away, it lands on the face of a woman standing next to him — Meg, a beautiful young woman.

They share a charming and awkward moment — she laughs, he smiles, and they exchange glances. Just as George begins to feel a spark, her train arrives, and she boards it. They part ways, and George is left on the platform, stunned and disappointed that he didn’t speak to her or get her name.

He thinks it’s a moment lost forever.

2. A Twist of Fate

George arrives at his dreary office, high in a tall building. As he sits at his desk, he suddenly spots Meg through the window in the building across the street — she’s in an office directly across from him!

Excited, he tries to get her attention. He starts folding paper airplanes from the stack of documents on his desk and throws them toward her window, hoping one will fly across and catch her notice.

But each attempt fails. Some crash, some drift away, and she doesn’t notice him at all.

3. Desperation and Magic

Frustrated but determined, George pours his heart into each new paper airplane. He even folds one from the same sheet of paper that had Meg’s lipstick mark, left from their earlier meeting.

He throws the special airplane with care, but a gust of wind blows it away.

In a moment of despair, he looks up — Meg is gone from the window.

Disheartened, George runs from the office, leaving behind dozens of failed paper planes. His chance at reconnecting with Meg seems lost again.

4. The Paper Planes Come to Life

Outside, the camera pans back to George's office. The discarded paper airplanes begin to twitch and stir, as if by magic. They take on a life of their own, led by the one with the lipstick mark.

This swarm of enchanted paper airplanes flies out the window and into the city.

5. A Magical Reunion

George is wandering through the streets when the enchanted planes find him. They begin gently pushing and guiding him in a specific direction. Meanwhile, another group of planes finds Meg, who is on her way to the train again.

Guided by the mysterious magic of the airplanes, both George and Meg are drawn toward each other, finally meeting again at a train station.

This time, there's no missed opportunity. They meet face to face, smile, and walk off together.

🖤 Themes and Symbolism

Fate & Serendipity: A random meeting turns into a destined connection.

Romance & Hope: The story shows how small, magical moments can bring people together.

Magic in the Mundane: Even the most ordinary things — paper, office life — can become magical through emotion and imagination.

📽️ Artistic Style

A blend of hand-drawn animation and computer graphics, creating a fluid, expressive style.

The film is almost entirely silent, with no dialogue, relying on music and visuals to tell the story.

The musical score by Christophe Beck plays a major role in expressing emotion.

🏆 Awards

Won the Academy Award for Best Animated Short Film in 2013.

Praised for its storytelling, innovative animation technique, and emotional depth.