Russia Plans Full State Funding for Domestic Animation by 2026
Russia’s Culture Ministry is pushing for full state funding of domestic animation projects. The move follows a presidential directive to boost financial support for the industry. If approved, the changes will take effect on January 1, 2026.
The proposal began in March 2025, when Yuliana Slashcheva, chair of Soyuzmultfilm’s board, suggested formal quotas during a Council for Culture and Art meeting. She called for 20% of box-office revenue from foreign animated films and 10% of state cinema subsidies to fund Russian animation. Two months later, President Vladimir Putin ordered officials to create a financing mechanism based on these recommendations.
Representatives from the Association of Animation Film (AAF), Soyuzmultfilm, and the Riki Group helped draft the new legislation. The ministry is now preparing two bills to amend the On State Support for Cinematography law. These would cover 100% of production costs for Russian animated films aimed at children and teenagers.
The initiative gained momentum in late November when the legal commission on legislative activity approved it for further development. A progress report is expected by November 30. Irina Mastusova, executive director of the AAF, noted that production costs for animation have risen sharply over the past year. Currently, state funding only applies to live-action children’s films, leaving animated projects without similar support.
The legal amendments will take effect at the start of 2026. Once implemented, Russian animation studios will receive full state backing for their projects. The changes aim to address rising costs and strengthen the domestic industry.
