“Well, AI, Just You Wait!”: A Family Animation Contest Launched for Soyuzmultfilm’s 90th Anniversary

Contest participants will create their own animated films using artificial intelligence

Sber, Soyuzmultfilm, and School 21 have announced the launch of the All-Russian animation contest “Well, AI, Just You Wait!”, timed to coincide with the film studio’s 90th anniversary.

This large-scale project brings together cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and the rich traditions of Russian animation. Its main goal is to support creators, help them discover their talent, and believe in their creative potential.

German Gref, President and Chairman of the Management Board of Sberbank:
“Artificial intelligence opens up new opportunities across all sectors of the economy — including the creative industries and the production of all kinds of content, including animation. But behind every technology there are always people: their imagination, creativity, and ability to dream and see the world in a new way. This contest is about how technology becomes an ally of dreams. It connects the legendary legacy of Soyuzmultfilm with the key technologies of the 21st century, creating a true creative laboratory — a space where new ideas and approaches will be born, capable of inspiring more than one generation.”

Contest participants will create an original animated video congratulating Soyuzmultfilm on its anniversary, and must use AI technologies — GigaChat, Kandinsky, and other Russian neural networks — at any stage of production (image generation, animation, scriptwriting, etc.).

Creating with neural networks follows a family format: children develop the project together with their parents. Another important requirement is that the work must include the numbers 9 and 0, symbolizing the studio’s 90th anniversary. Participants may use Soyuzmultfilm characters or create their own original heroes.

Vladimir Medinsky, Aide to the President of the Russian Federation:
“Time goes on, new technologies emerge, but the most important thing is that the essence remains unchanged: our cartoons have always taught kindness, sincerity, friendship, and beauty. The Soyuzmultfilm and School 21 contest is a wonderful opportunity to support those who want to build, create, and invent new heroes — while preserving and strengthening the best traditions of Russian animation. I wish everyone success!”

Olga Lyubimova, Minister of Culture of the Russian Federation:
“Modern Russian animation has become a powerful driver setting the pace for the development of an entire range of industries — from film production and digital platforms to visual effects, games, and educational technologies. That is why supporting and developing it is an investment in the future of the country’s entire creative economy. Initiatives like this give talented creators access to the most advanced tools and open up new horizons for the animation industry. After all, its language is the language of the future, combining artistic depth, technological power, and limitless creative possibilities.”

The videos will be evaluated by an expert jury from the media industry and the content creation and animation sectors. The jury will be chaired by Gavriil Gordeev, General Producer of the Okko online cinema, and will include representatives of Soyuzmultfilm and School 21. The submission period is open until April 10, 2026.

The winner will receive a cash prize of 1,000,000 rubles, second place — 250,000 rubles, and third place — a Sber smart TV. Soyuzmultfilm will also award 10 incentive prizes.

Yuliana Slashcheva, Chairwoman of the Board of Directors of Soyuzmultfilm:
“Creating your own cartoon is every child’s cherished dream. Surely today’s adults will remember how they used to draw little birds in the margins of a notebook, and then, quickly flipping through the pages, see a second of magic. Today, thanks to the development of modern technologies, we can invite the entire country to create together — which is especially symbolic in the year of Soyuzmultfilm’s 90th anniversary.The contest team is eagerly looking forward to the participants’ works, because animation has an amazing ability — to bring absolutely any worlds and universes to life.”