With a history that dates back to the early days of film-making, stop-motion animation has enhanced the art form since the late 1890s. This painstaking, frame-by-frame cinematic approach has been largely shelved in favor of its more technologically advanced cousin, CGI (computer-generated imagery); but there are torchbearers in the profession breathing new life into this timeless, meticulous technique. Enter the new magical film THE BOXTROLLS, coming to theaters this month.

Read the full story about this honored craft in AFI’s American Film Magazine here.