Medvezhonok Festival Opens in Perm with Animation from Russia, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa

On May 29, the 4th International Festival of Children’s, Family and Animated Films Medvezhonok opened in Perm. This year’s edition is the largest in the festival’s history, featuring 38 films and animated projects from Russia, Europe, Asia, Latin America and Africa.

Animation occupies a central place in the festival programme. The competition and special screenings include feature-length and short animated films, as well as projects presented in the “Animated Series” section. A significant part of the international programme consists of animated productions, including the Polish film Ruffle Up Your Feathers!, the Spanish animated feature Beast Revolution, and the Mexican project I Am Frankelda.

One of the festival’s highlights will be the Chinese animated film The Girl Who Stole Time, which will be screened exclusively at Medvezhonok. According to the festival’s programme director, Yegor Moskvitin, several international works included in the programme have never before been shown in Russia.

In 2026, the festival programme is divided into four sections: the Main Competition, Almost Grown-Ups, Animated Series, and Series. All films participating in the Main Competition are presented as premieres.

The festival jury includes leading representatives of the film and animation industries. The jury is chaired by Yuliana Slashcheva, Chair of the Board of the Russian Animated Film Association and Chair of the Board of Directors of Soyuzmultfilm Film Studio.

In addition to screenings, the festival traditionally features an industry programme aimed at supporting the production and promotion of children’s films and animation, while also fostering professional dialogue among industry representatives.

Festival screenings will take place not only in Perm, but also in Salekhard, Muravlenko, Gubkinsky, Belgorod and Alchevsk.