Moscow served as the stage for the unveiling of a new national festival concept dedicated to children’s cinema, family films, and animation. The event announced the first All-Russian festival of this kind, named Bear cub, with Perm identified as the host city for June 1 through June 4, 2023, a milestone aligned with Perm’s long celebration of its 300th anniversary, according to the press festival reports service.
In discussions surrounding the festival, organizers explained how the bear cub name was chosen. Across several cities around the country, children voted to select the mascot, underscoring a plan to reflect youthful curiosity and imagination. While the bear motif nods to the Perm Territory coat of arms, the creative team aimed to avoid a tired cliché. The design team, led by Gavriil Gordeev, the festival’s chief producer for Okko online cinema, noted that the final drawing of the teddy bear was produced with the help of artificial intelligence, blending a traditional symbol with contemporary digital artistry to capture a fresh, approachable image for a young audience.
Gordeev also provided commentary on the official festival logo. He pointed out that the local context informs the logo, which draws on the familiar bear from the Perm Territory coat of arms but reimagines it as a small, inquisitive cub. The cub is depicted with a movie camera and a director’s chair, emphasizing a playful rapport with filmmaking. The message is clear: the child’s first contact with cinema begins with exploration, observation, and wonder. This approach seeks to invite young viewers to engage with storytelling while keeping the visual identity relatable and friendly for families.
The opening screening is a significant moment for Perm, presenting a symbolic project that resonates with regional audiences. The film Ivan Semenov: The Big Campaign marks a continuation of the well-known tale about a spirited boy who embodies both mischief and aspiration. The premiere in Perm will be presented by the city’s own director, Anton Bogdanov, who offers a unique perspective on the journey of schoolchildren within the Perm region. This premiere functions as a bridge between a beloved local narrative and the festival’s broader aim of showcasing accessible cinema for younger viewers and their families, as noted in festival communications.
Competitions at Bear cub will incorporate a dual assessment model. In addition to a professional jury, young participants have a voice in the judging process. The children’s jury will include gifted students from Perm who excel in academics or sports, ensuring that youth perspectives are represented at the highest level of the selection process. Moreover, there will be a People’s Choice Award that invites audience votes during festival screenings, reinforcing the idea that community input matters in recognizing standout work. The festival thus creates a space where both critical evaluation and popular reception contribute to the final outcomes.
Special attention is being given to younger attendees through a dedicated non-competitive program labeled 12+. This program will curate films that are suitable for and engaging to early and middle adolescence, inviting families to explore stories that reflect their experiences and interests. Throughout the event, organizers emphasize accessibility and inclusivity, ensuring that children and parents alike can enjoy a curated mix of animation, live-action features, and shorts that resonate with family viewing sessions. This thoughtful programming aligns with broader cultural goals of promoting art and media literacy among emerging generations, while maintaining a welcoming atmosphere for audiences from diverse backgrounds.