The fifth Animur International Animation Film Festival has concluded in Khabarovsk. Held from October 1 to 4, the anniversary edition brought together audiences, animators, directors, screenwriters, and creative industry professionals from Russia and other countries. This year, the festival significantly expanded both its geographical reach and its programme, with events taking place at multiple venues across the city. One of the major new additions was the ASEAN–Russia Animation Market, an international business programme.

The festival’s main venues included the Druzhba Cinema, the Youth Leisure Centre, the MYO coworking space, and the Dobro.Depo creative space. Additional events took place at Lenin Stadium as part of a collaboration between Animur and the AmurFest Autumn Festival.

A major highlight of the programme was the inaugural ASEAN–Russia Animation Market, the first event of its kind in Russia, introducing a new format for professional discussions focused on developing international cooperation in animation and the creative industries.

Over several days, participants discussed prospects for cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries, opportunities for joint animation production, access to international markets, partner searches, and the development of co-productions. Panel discussions explored the role of animation and the creative industries in the development of the Russian Far East, as well as approaches to creating stories that resonate with audiences across different countries.

Representatives from all 11 ASEAN member states travelled to Khabarovsk. The international guests introduced their national animation industries, outlined opportunities for cooperation, and participated in professional discussions. The international programme also provided a platform for cultural exchange, mutual interest, and a deeper understanding of neighbouring countries. The forum is supported by the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the ASEAN Secretariat, the Russian Animated Film Association, and the Animur International Animation Film Festival.

“Five years ago, we could hardly have imagined that an animation festival in a relatively small city in the Russian Far East could become a genuine hub for the animation industry, bringing together professionals from across Russia, the Asia-Pacific region, and even the wider world. Yet, like a snail climbing Mount Fuji, we have been steadily working towards this goal for several years, which have passed in the blink of an eye.

We cannot promise that the B2B negotiations and the market’s business programme will produce immediate results, but we understand that this is a significant step towards long-term cooperation with Asian countries in co-production and content creation. Several agreements have already been signed during the forum.

Above all, however, we believe the most important achievement is that participants had the opportunity to experience one another’s cultures and content firsthand. And we believe that in another five years, we will certainly see the results of what has been accomplished here today,” said Sofia Liseenko, Executive Director of the Animur International Animation Film Festival.

Throughout the four-day festival, the Druzhba Cinema hosted screenings of animated films from around the world, running from morning until late evening. The programme featured independent and auteur animation rarely seen in Russian cinemas, along with special screenings and premieres. Khabarovsk audiences had the opportunity to discover several films for the first time.

In addition to film screenings, Animur presented a programme of creative meetings and masterclasses. Audiences had the opportunity to meet directors, screenwriters, and other industry professionals in person, learning more about the production of their favourite animated films, their characters, and the creative process behind animation projects.

One such event was a meeting with Dmitry Averkiev, Creative Director of the YARKO animation company, part of Gazprom-Media Holding, and co-creator of the concept for the animated series TechnoLike. Young fans of the series attended the meeting wearing themed costumes and makeup, eager to meet one of the project’s creators in person.

The festival also featured several special activities. During the ArtMasters Open National Championship of Creative Competencies, finalists in the Animation Artist category created postcards dedicated to ASEAN countries. Visitors could collect these postcards at several locations across Khabarovsk, including the Vtornik Bar, the World of Talking Machines Museum, the Priamursky Zoo, the Amur Cliff, and Dobro.Depo. To receive a postcard, participants had to complete a small task, gradually building their own collection of Animur-themed postcards.

The festival concluded with its traditional closing ceremony, during which the organisers reviewed the highlights of the four-day event and announced the winners of the international competition.

The international jury of the fifth Animur Festival included animation industry representatives from Russia and Asian countries. Following the competition screenings, the jury selected the winners in the festival’s main award categories.

“What stood out to me this year were projects with distinctive animation styles that have the potential to appeal to audiences worldwide. These are works with their own unique voices, unlike anything I have encountered before in my professional experience.

I am very pleased to see how many international industry representatives have become involved in this project. Of course, there can only be a few winners, but the very fact that the filmmakers have managed to complete such a long journey, from the initial idea through production to a finished short film, is already a major achievement,” said Michael Lim, a member of the Animur 2026 International Film Festival jury and Director of the Animation Nation Festival.

Winners of the Fifth Animur International Animation Film Festival

1. Grand Prix

Hi, Lucky! — China

Director: JIT THONG NG

2. Special Jury Award

Swimming Lessons — Russia

Director: Anna Isakova

3. Best Director Award

Interviewphobia — China

Directors: Yihan Chen, Yicen Zou

4. Best Art Direction Award

Taint — Russia

Director: Andrey Katsuba

5. Best Animation Award

There Once Was a Tiger — Russia

Directors: Marina Verik, Dmitry Mosyagin

6. Best Sound Design Award

Desi Oon — India

Director: Suresh Eriyat

7. Best Student Film Award

Friend With Binoculars — China

Director: Fù Xiǎo Yuè

8. Best TV Series Award

Black Moth. The Power of Music — Spain, Armenia

Directors: Daria Rud, Andrey Kolpin

9. Audience Choice Award

Native North — Russia

Director: Matvey Lashko

10. Festival Organizing Committee Award

The Naked Boy’s Tales: Courage — Brazil

Director: Rodrigo Alves Leão

Special Mentions and Awards

1. Special Jury Mention

Superstar: Code Challenge — Thailand

Director: Surapong Wetsuwanmanee

2. Special Jury Mention

Squirrel — China

Director: Zhan Shengping

3. Soyuzmultfilm Studio Special Award

Fishboy — Australia / Singapore

Director: Christa Poh

4. 2×2 TV Channel Special Award

Desi Oon (Indian Wool) — India

Director: Suresh Eriyat

The fifth edition of Animur became one of the major highlights of Khabarovsk’s autumn festival season, bringing together cinema, professional dialogue, international cooperation, and opportunities for audiences to discover contemporary animation from around the world.