On December 25, the Soyuzmultfilm studio will present a new nine-minute animated short titled New Year’s Magic, drawing its inspiration from the classic cartoon series The Littlest Dwarf, which aired between 1977 and 1983. The announcement came through the studio’s press service, as reported by TASS. The project expands the beloved universe with a contemporary flair while honoring the nostalgic charm that fans remember from decades past.
The film builds on the well-known collaboration between screenwriter Mikhail Lipskerov and director Mikhail Kamenetsky, who created the original Littlest Dwarf cartoons. For this fresh installment, performers Vladimir Presnyakov and Natalya Podolskaya lent their voices to a new nine-minute song composed to accompany the animation, enhancing the festive mood and connecting generations through music.
The premiere is set to stream across multiple platforms, including the Okko online cinema, as well as the Multilandia and Solntse television channels. Viewers can also catch it on the official Soyuzmultfilm YouTube and Vkontakte pages. Beginning December 26, Mult and Karusel TV channel audiences will have access to the new cartoon. The film will be broadcast on television through December 31, continuing the studio’s seasonal tradition of bringing beloved characters back to the screen in fresh formats.
General Producer Yulia Osetinskaya of Soyuzmultfilm explained that this premiere is part of a longstanding holiday ritual: for the fourth year in a row, the studio reconnects audiences with cherished classic personalities just in time for the holidays. Past short films, such as Umka on the Christmas Tree, Cheburashka: The Secret of the Holiday, and Vovka and Winter Far Away, have previously captivated viewers of all ages on television and online alike.
New Year’s Magic represents a careful blend of tradition and modern storytelling. By reviving a character and setting that many viewers associate with warm memories, the production team aims to evoke nostalgia while introducing the Littlest Dwarf to a new generation. The integration of contemporary distribution channels reflects the studio’s strategy to meet audiences where they are, delivering a holiday experience that is accessible across screens, from home televisions to mobile devices.
As with prior Yuletide premieres, the project underscores Soyuzmultfilm’s role in preserving and renewing Russia’s animation heritage while inviting families to share in the seasonal magic. The studio’s family-friendly approach continues to attract both longtime fans and first-time viewers who discover the Littlest Dwarf through a modern, multi-platform presentation. [Citation: Soyuzmultfilm press service]