On June 12, what would have been Anne Frank’s 97th birthday, Anne Frank Center USA launched @AnneFrankLifeStory on Instagram and TikTok, a new initiative designed to bring Holocaust education to young people where they are already learning, connecting, and engaging online.
The response has been extraordinary. The first animated short, featuring Anne receiving her diary on her 13th birthday, has already been viewed more than 2 million times on Instagram.
The reception from the press and online audiences has also been positive, including coverage in The Algemeiner and BriefGlance.com. The latter outlet wrote, “From a strategic perspective, the @annefranklifestory launch is a compelling case study in 21st-century non-profit innovation. The partnership with Luc Bernard demonstrates a nimble approach, leveraging external expertise to connect with a demographic that traditional institutions struggle to reach.”
The new social media channels feature short-form animated videos inspired by Anne’s diary and the experiences of the Frank family, helping introduce young audiences to Anne’s story in an accessible and engaging format. At a time when misinformation, antisemitism, and Holocaust distortion continue to spread online, the project seeks to provide a trusted, fact-based resource on the platforms where young people spend much of their time.
The initiative was developed in partnership with game designer and director Luc Bernard, creator of Voices of the Forgotten, the Holocaust museum experience inside Fortnite. Bernard is directing the animated shorts and has emphasized that the project is being created through traditional artistic methods, without the use of artificial intelligence.
As Bernard recently shared, “the goal is to help make @AnneFrankLifeStory one of the most used Holocaust education accounts for teenagers on social media.”
Behind each video is a team of artists, educators, historians, and storytellers working to ensure that Anne’s story is presented with both historical accuracy and emotional authenticity. The animations are carefully crafted to connect modern audiences with the experiences of Anne Frank and her family while honoring the legacy of one of history’s most important voices.
The project emerged through the Eradicate Hate Global Summit and was made possible through a New Media grant from the Claims Conference. As the audience continues to grow, AFC USA remains committed to finding new ways to share Anne’s story and inspire young people to stand against hatred, prejudice, and intolerance.
Follow @AnneFrankLifeStory on Instagram and TikTok to watch the latest videos and help share Anne’s story with the next generation.
