Russian Animation Association Reviews 2025 Results and Discusses Industry Development

The Russian Animated Film Association (RAFA) held its General Assembly on April 2 at the AKI.lab creative space in Moscow. The event took place in a hybrid format, bringing together representatives of the animation industry, профиль organizations, and government institutions.

Key Figures
Today, the RAFA unites 98 companies from 18 regions of Russia. Its members produce approximately 95% of all Russian animation. In 2025, 17 new companies joined the Association.

The animation market volume is estimated at:
– RUB 20.2 billion (according to the Agency for Strategic Initiatives);
– RUB 12.3 billion (according to the Creative Industries Agency).

Annual production volume totals approximately 150–162 hours of content, with around 5,500 professionals employed in the industry. The animation sector’s impact on related markets is estimated at RUB 78.9–97.1 billion.

Key Industry Challenges
Participants identified several major challenges facing the industry:
– Rising production costs and declining revenues;
– A decrease in the number of original projects being launched;
– Growth in commissioned production and outsourcing;
– Partial relocation of production stages abroad;
– Declining export performance.

At the same time, participants emphasized that animation continues to enjoy strong audience demand and remains one of the most popular segments in children’s and family content.

Guests and Partners
The meeting was attended by representatives of the Creative Industries Agency, the Moscow Export Center, ROSKINO, the Russian Export Center, the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the Institute for the Development of Professional Education, the Moscow Center for Professional Education Development, and the ArtMasters Academy.

Discussion Highlights
During the assembly, members approved the Association’s 2025 activity report, discussed the reorganization and renaming of member companies, reviewed the exclusion of several members, and approved the industry events plan for 2026.

The General Assembly served as a platform for an open dialogue on the current state of the industry, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities ahead. Participants outlined steps to strengthen the position of Russian animation, expand cooperation with government and industry partners, and create conditions for the sustainable development of the sector.