As an animation junkie, I’m appalled that I have not heard about Walt Disney Animation Studio’s newest short film, “Paperman.” This new short, which will play before “Wreck-It Ralph,” melds CGI and hand-drawn animation in an innovative new way using a proprietary program called Meander. A technique called final line also allowed the animators to add a level of grace and expressiveness not seen before on the big screen.

Also great is that this film introduces a new film director, John Kahrs, who has worked with Disney animation legends Glen Keane and Clay Kaytis. Kahrs has also served as animation supervisor on Disney’s “Tangled,” and before joining Walt Disney Animation Studio in 2007, Kahrs worked with Pixar on films such as “A Bug’s Life,” “Ratatouille,” and as lead animator on Sully in “Monster’s Inc.”

Here’s the lowdown on “Paperman”:

“Introducing a groundbreaking technique that seamlessly merges computer-generated and hand-drawn animation techniques, first-time director John Kahrs takes the art of animation in a bold new direction with ‘Paperman.’ Using a minimalist black-and-white style, the short follows the story of a lonely young man in mid-century New York City, whose destiny takes an unexpected turn after a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. Convinced the girl of his dreams is gone forever, he gets a second chance when he spots her in a skyscraper window across the avenue from his office. With only his heart, imagination and a stack of papers to get her attention, his efforts are no match for what the fates have in store for him. Created by a small, innovative team working at Walt Disney Animation Studios, “Paperman” pushes the animation medium in an exciting new direction. It makes its theatrical debut in front of ‘Wreck-It Ralph’ on Nov. 2, 2012.”

Below are some images from this short. I think they’re simply incredible, and I’m excited to see what this short will look like as a whole.

“Wreck-It Ralph,” Disney’s CGI film about a video game character on a quest to become a hero, stars John C. Reilly, Jane Lynch and Sarah Silverman. “Wreck-It Ralph” will hit theaters Nov. 2 and in Disney Digital 3D in select theaters.

(MORNING COMMUTE ??In Paperman, a young man in mid-century New York City has a chance meeting with a beautiful woman on his morning commute. The innovative animated short from first-time director John Kahrs makes its theatrical debut in front of Wreck-It Ralph? on Nov. 2, 2012. ©2012 Disney. All Rights Reserved.)