77 years ago, in Moscow, the film studio “Soyuzmultfilm” was established. On June 10, 1936, the largest animation studio in the Soviet Union at that time was founded – “Soyuzmultfilm,” which incorporated various animation production teams based on the existing animation facilities.2 photos

77 years ago, in Moscow, the film studio “Soyuzmul’tfil’m” was established.

On June 10, 1936, the largest animation studio in the Soviet Union was founded—“Soyuzmul’tfil’m”—which brought together various animation workshops based on the previously existing GUKF animation studio.

The first animated film produced by this studio was titled “It’s Hot in Africa”; it was a black-and-white production. A year later, color animations began to emerge, and in 1947, the first feature-length hand-drawn film, “The Humped Pony,” was released.

In 1953, the Puppet Film Association was formed, and its first successful project was the animation “Pencil and Inkwell—Happy Hunters.”

During the 1960s and 1970s, a series of animated films featuring recurring characters were produced, including “Mowgli,” “The Baby and Karlsson,” “Umka,” “Well, Wait a Minute,” “The Bremer Musicians,” “Winnie the Pooh,” “Genya the Crocodile,” and many others.

By the mid-1980s, the production of Soviet animations had significantly decreased. In December 1989, “Soyuzmul’tfil’m” was restructured into a leasing enterprise; later, it was transformed into a public joint-stock company with the same name.

In June 1999, upon the order of the Russian Government, the studio was restored to its original status and registered as a federal state-owned enterprise named “Film Studio ‘Soyuzmul’tfil’m.’” A creative council was established, consisting of Russia’s foremost animation experts.