The city of Perm will host the first All-Russian Festival of Children’s, Family Films and Animation, titled Bear Cubs, from June 1 to June 4. The festival aims to celebrate youth cinema and family entertainment while spotlighting the best in Russian animation. Gavriil Gordeev, known for his work on original content for the Okko streaming service, announced the festival review and also serves as the festival’s president, underscoring a strong leadership role behind the event. The festival aligns with Perm’s 300th anniversary, giving the city a festive milestone to observe through culture and film.
Alena Semerikova-Volkova, the festival’s general producer, explained that the Bear Baby concept first arose in 2019 when the Perm Film Commission and a discount system were created. Two years later, planners formulated a long-range strategy to advance filmmaking within the Perm Territory, demonstrating a sustained commitment to supporting local storytellers and media professionals. This strategic groundwork provides a framework for festival activities, selections, and collaborations with schools, studios, and cultural institutions across the region.
Regarding the festival’s identity, Gordeev noted that the bear appears on the Perm Region’s coat of arms, and the festival’s emblem is designed to resonate with both industry professionals and younger audiences. The symbol was chosen to reflect a sense of curiosity and exploration, qualities closely associated with childhood. Because the festival centers on children, the organizing team intends to spark a continuous appetite for discovery among young viewers, encouraging them to ask questions, seek new ideas, and engage with stories in innovative ways. The narrative focus goes beyond entertainment to nurture imagination and early media literacy, ensuring the event serves as a positive, educational experience for families.
In line with its forward-looking mission, the Bear Cubs festival plans to showcase a diverse slate of films and animations that highlight family values, friendship, resilience, and creativity. The program will feature features and shorts from various regions, with curated screenings designed for different age groups and learning levels. Alongside screenings, the festival aims to host workshops, panel discussions, and meet-and-greet sessions with filmmakers, writers, and animators. These activities are intended to offer practical insight into storytelling and production while creating opportunities for young audiences to connect with industry professionals and peers. The collaboration aims to broaden access to cinema, foster talent growth, and enrich Perm’s cultural landscape through shared experiences and lively discourse.
Earlier reports mentioned that DJ Smash would participate in the initiative by contributing a new anthem for Perm to celebrate the city’s anniversary. This contribution is presented as part of the cultural program that ties the festival to the broader celebratory context, reinforcing the city’s identity through music and film alike. The integration of music and cinema helps to create a multisensory festival environment, inviting attendees to experience the arts in ways that are memorable and meaningful while reinforcing Perm’s status as a regional hub for creative endeavors.