RAFA CEO Irina Mastusova at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum -2023

RAFA CEO Irina Mastusova spoke live during the broadcast of the Russian Export Center as part of St. Petersburg International Economic Forum-2023.

Mastusova spoke about the results of the first decade of the Russian animation industry, the development of creative industries in Russia and their export potential.

Creative industries are experiencing a period of rapid growth. Russian animation, the youngest segment of the creative industries, has developed into an independent industry in 10 years. The key role in this was played by the creation of Russian Animated Film Association, which managed not only to unite the largest market players, but also to achieve significant success in lobbying the interests of the industry at the highest level.

Despite the sanctions of a number of countries against Russia and two years of the pandemic, the animation industry was able not only to survive, but also to strengthen its position. This was reflected in the increase in content production (almost 3 times – from 60 hours of animation per year in 2018 to 150 hours per year at the moment), and in entering new export markets, while partially preserving the old ones.

In her speech, Irina touched upon the issue of rebates, as well as state support in the field of animation content co-production, obtaining subsidies for the adaptation and dubbing of content and registration of trademarks of Russian manufacturers abroad.

Mastusova spoke about the participation of the Russian delegation in the film markets of SIFF and Telefilm Vietnam Film Festival, organized by ROSKINO, and about the upcoming animation market within the framework of the CICAF International Animation Festival in Hangzhou, to which the Russian delegation is leaving on June 19. The presence of the Russian delegation in China is organized by the Moscow Export Center, which presents an umbrella booth of Moscow companies, holds matchmaking meetings and presentations.