The Russian Animated Film Association (RAFA) and the Artek International Children’s Center announce the opening of applications for the Animatika Festival

The Russian Animated Film Association (RAFA) and the Artek International Children’s Center announce the opening of applications for the annual children’s animated film competition held as part of the 9th International Children’s Animation Film Festival “Animatika.”
In August 2026, 36 winners of the competition will take part in the 9th session at the Artek International Children’s Center.
The Animatika Festival offers a unique opportunity for young creators to meet directors, producers, and screenwriters of contemporary animated films and series, attend premiere screenings, discuss professional techniques, and try themselves in the role of animation filmmakers.
The producer of the Animatika Festival is Irina Mastusova, Director of the Russian Animated Film Association (RAFA). The program curator is Irina Belova, CEO of Yenisei Kino.
In 2026, the festival is dedicated to the 90th anniversary of the Soyuzmultfilm animation studio, and its theme focuses on beloved characters from legendary animated films.

Theme of the 2026 Competition
“Beloved Soyuzmultfilm Characters Among Us!”
The competition is dedicated to the anniversary of the legendary Soyuzmultfilm studio, which has gifted generations of viewers with unforgettable characters and stories. Participants are invited to create animated films in which classic characters of Russian animation come to life in today’s world, retaining their iconic features while gaining new relevance.
Imagine Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet going to school, Gromozeka and the Hedgehog in the Fog running a blog, or Cheburashka and the Troubadour launching social media challenges. Participants may invent humorous everyday stories featuring their favorite characters, add modern gadgets, mix characters from different cartoons, or even send them on space adventures. Bold, sincere, and creative works that continue the studio’s traditions while opening new horizons in animation are especially encouraged.

Participation Conditions
Age of participants: 10–17 years old
Technique and genre: any (within the competition theme)
Year of production: 2026 only
Duration: 3 to 10 minutes
Participation format: individual or group
Team size: no more than 3 people
Important: only participants whose names are listed in the application may take part

How to Apply
Links to application forms for individual and group participants are provided below. By submitting an application, participants consent to the processing of personal data.
Completed application forms, including a link to the competition film uploaded to a file-sharing service (Yandex, Google, Mail.ru, etc.), must be sent to animatikafest@gmail.com no later than May 15, 2026.

Please carefully review the Competition Regulations. All submitted documents must comply with the rules of the Artek International Children’s Center.
The expert review and evaluation of submissions will continue until May 29, 2026.