Animation Unites: Khabarovsk Hosts the First ASEAN-Russia Animation Market
For the first time in Russia, representatives of the Russian animation industry and all 11 ASEAN member states gathered on a single professional platform: the ASEAN–Russia Animation Market international forum, held in Khabarovsk on October 1-4, 2026. The forum brought together producers, heads of studios and festivals, and representatives of ministries and industry agencies. One of the practical outcomes of the event was a cooperation agreement between the animation associations of Russia and Thailand.
The forum took place as part of the Russia–ASEAN: Territory of Animation project, with the support of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the ASEAN Secretariat, and the Russian Animated Film Association (RAFA).
The business program included three panel sessions, a pitching session for animation projects, presentations by ASEAN countries, and networking. Participants discussed government support for the creative industries, export strategies and co-production, content localization, IP development, and workforce training for the animation industry in the Far East.
‘Animation is a universal language. It lets us talk about values and stories that people in different countries and cultures can understand. We conceived the ASEAN-Russia Animation Market as a space for professional dialogue: a place to exchange experience, find partners, and discuss distribution and co-production. It is important that the Far East was chosen as the first venue. This region has historically connected Russia with Asia, and today it is becoming a growth point for the creative industries in its own right. We thank Khabarovsk Krai for its support. We saw that Russian studios and their ASEAN colleagues share not only a mutual interest but also concrete topics for joint work,’ said Irina Mastusova, Executive Director of the Russian Animated Film Association.
The business program opened with the Russia–ASEAN: The Far East as a Territory for Creative Cooperation session. It brought together representatives of the Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, the Ministry of Culture of Khabarovsk Krai, the Far East Development Corporation, the ANO “National Priorities,” the Agency for Strategic Initiatives, the ANO “ArtMasters National Open Championship of Creative Competencies,” the Creative Economy Agency of Thailand, and the Ministry of Culture and Tourism of Laos, as well as Russian studios.
‘We consider the creative economy one of the most promising areas of cooperation between Russia and ASEAN countries. Russian content is already present in the region’s markets: in Vietnam, audiences have watched Prostokvashino, Well, Just You Wait! Vacation and Belka and Strelka; in Thailand, Flora’s Team is well known; in Malaysia and Brunei, Monsiki. Russian viewers, in turn, watch Vietnamese, Indonesian, Malaysian and Thai cartoons. Now it is important to move on to joint projects, and this forum is a practical step in that direction,’ stressed Ruslan Miftakhutdinov, Adviser to the ASEAN Countries Division, Department of Multilateral Economic Cooperation and Special Projects, Ministry of Economic Development of Russia.
Representatives of Laos and Thailand spoke about the development of their national animation industries and opportunities for cooperation with Russian colleagues. Laos places particular emphasis on developing cultural and educational animation and on training specialists. The Thai side presented opportunities for expert exchange and joint development of new animation projects.
At the Animation Markets of Russia and ASEAN Countries: Export Strategies and Opportunities for Cooperation session, participants discussed how Russian projects can enter Southeast Asian markets. The discussion focused on the support tools of the Russian Export Center (REC), Thailand’s rebate program for foreign productions, IP development beyond the screen, outsourcing of 2D production in the Philippines, and the export of CG and VFX services. Case studies from Soyuzmultfilm, KinoAtis, and the Khabarovsk-based studio Mechtalyot were presented separately.
‘Vietnamese animation has come a long way, from a national studio founded in 1959 to an emerging digital ecosystem. Today, according to VAVA statistics and research, the market is valued at approximately USD 173 million, with 48 major studios and more than 3,500 professionals working in the country. More than 60% of studios already take part in projects with international partners. Studios are increasingly developing their own IP and feature-length animation, and we see significant opportunities for cooperation with Russia, from specialist exchange and training to co-production,’ said Pham Thi Thanh Ha, Member of the Standing Committee of the Vietnam Film Development Association.
The first day of the business program concluded with a pitching session for animation projects from Russia and ASEAN countries. Twelve Russian studios and companies from Moscow, St. Petersburg, Khabarovsk, Komsomolsk-on-Amur, Voronezh, Rostov, Kazan, Perm, Omsk, and Novosibirsk presented their projects to potential partners, producers, and industry representatives from ASEAN countries: KinoAtis, Voronezh, Mechtalyot, Chernovik, Childgood Animation, Videal Media, RG Brothers, Khor Media, Rokoteska, Zelyonye Kamneezhki, and Bratya po Stilyu, as well as the team behind the project Tugan Batyr. The pitching participants spoke about their projects’ needs in co-production, financing, distribution, and licensing, and discussed possible formats for further collaboration with their foreign colleagues.
A separate session on the second day focused on the workforce potential of the animation industry in the Far East. Experts from Russia, Thailand, Singapore, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste discussed how to retain young professionals in the region and build a training system, from children’s studios and colleges to universities and internships at working productions. Russia is currently putting in place an end-to-end system of animation training, but establishing effective interaction with the industry remains a pressing task.
During the ASEAN country presentations, delegations outlined the specifics of their national animation industries, current projects, and concrete areas for cooperation with Russian colleagues. Participants spoke about the development of local IP, co-production, distribution and service production, specialist exchange, and educational programs. The projects presented included The Violinist from Singapore, Zan from Malaysia, The Lost Forest from Brunei, and the feature-length 2D film Skinny Fish from Cambodia, as well as projects and production capabilities of studios from Vietnam, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, the Philippines, and Timor-Leste.
‘2025 was a turning point for Indonesia: revenue from our own animation IP exceeded service export revenue for the first time. Partnering with local IP gives foreign studios access to Indonesia’s huge market. We propose developing stories together based on the cultures of Indonesia, Russia, and ASEAN countries, as well as creating studio residencies, university exchanges, and joint workshops on new technologies,’ said Yudhatama Fajar Nugroho, owner of Manimonki Studio (Indonesia).
The practical part of the forum continued with professional networking. More than 40 meetings between Russian and international participants took place within the business program, where representatives of studios and industry organizations discussed potential partnerships, entry into new markets, expertise exchange, and the development of joint projects. In total, 40 speakers from 12 countries took part in the forum’s program.
One of the forum’s concrete outcomes was a cooperation agreement between the Russian Animated Film Association and the Thai Animation and Computer Graphics Association (TACGA). The agreement was signed by Irina Mastusova, Executive Director of the Russian Animated Film Association, for the Russian side, and by Sorralak Wongseri, TACGA board member, founder and Managing Director of EEZ Studio, for the Thai side. The parties agreed to develop professional exchange, strengthen business and creative ties, and create opportunities for joint projects.
In 2027, the Russia–ASEAN: Territory of Animation project will continue online. Russian and international studios will be able to take part in professional seminars, market presentations, online pitching sessions, and business meetings. The dialogue begun in Khabarovsk will continue and become a regular platform for professional interaction between the animation industries of Russia and Southeast Asia.
14.10.2026
