Interview with Alexei Bogatyrev

Alexei Bogatyrev is the project manager at Voronezh Animation Studio and director of the Animation School.
Voronezh Animation Studio is an animation company whose highly qualified team is based primarily in Voronezh. The studio develops, produces and distributes world-class animated feature films, series and content, gaining recognition both in Russia and abroad.

We spoke with Alexei about his path to the profession, the role of the “MultAnima” festival, the place of animation in the contemporary cultural space, and how new technologies are changing the industry.

— What moment in your life was decisive in your choice of profession?
In my senior years — in 10th and 11th grade — I participated in the KidSoft children's computer creativity competition, which took place in Voronezh. Not only did I win valuable prizes, but I also got to know representatives of the game studio. Already in my first year at university, I went there to work as a ordinary modeller. Later, the studio became the Voronezh Animation Studio. And so it turned out that I’ve been working in this industry for over twenty years.

— This year, the “MultAnima” festival was held as part of the Artek programme. Are your childhood memories connected with this place, or did you first become acquainted with it thanks to the festival? What impressions did the camp leave on you?
First of all, I would like to congratulate “Artek” on behalf of the entire “Voronezh Animation Studio” on its centennial anniversary!
In my childhood, I never had a chance to visit Artek — in fact, I never went to any children’s camp at all. Now it feels like I’m making up for lost time: I’ve happily returned to Artek for the fourth time this year. When I first arrived here, I was amazed by the scale of the camp, the incredible number of enthusiastic children, and, I must admit, the delicious food in the cafeteria.

— Is there a film or animated feature that impressed you the most? And how would you assess contemporary Russian animation — does it have enough ideas and resources?
The film that impressed me most was the very first animated feature I participated in — The Snow Queen. Watching it on the big screen was a truly special experience: seeing the audience’s reaction and my own name in the credits is an incomparable feeling.
Because of my profession, I watch almost all animated releases. However, it’s difficult to enjoy them as an ordinary viewer — professional habits get in the way. More often, I’m impressed by technical solutions, although sometimes the plot leaves me with questions.
As for resources, Russian animation has quite enough of them. But the main thing in any animated film is the idea. I think there’s still work to be done in that direction. From a technical standpoint, our studios are now hardly inferior to foreign ones.

— What technologies and trends most influence the development of animation today? And what is your attitude toward using neural networks in the creative process?
The development of artificial intelligence is inevitable. It makes no sense to deny it, yet it’s still impossible to predict exactly where it will lead us. At our studio, we closely follow innovations, actively experiment with neural networks, and adapt our workflow. It’s clear that we are only at the beginning of major transformations — including in animation.
As for trends, classical 3D animation in the Disney or Pixar style has become somewhat overfamiliar to audiences. It seems their stories have grown too focused on current social agendas. Today, bold artistic choices and the blending of techniques and styles are what draw attention. The success of Sony Animation’s projects is a vivid example. In addition, the fusion of animation and live-action filmmaking is regaining popularity: many classic films are being remade, and the Russian industry is keeping pace here as well.

— What stood out to you most in communication with children during your workshops? Were there any questions that made you stop and think?
Children of different ages behave differently. The most open and sincere are younger schoolchildren — they share what they like without hesitation and ask questions with astonishing spontaneity. Sometimes, you can’t answer them right away — you really have to think. Teenagers are harder to engage, but that’s an interesting challenge as well.

— How has the attitude toward animation changed in recent years? Do you notice a growing interest from young people and society as a whole?
Animated films have always been and remain a part of family leisure. Children and parents have always watched cartoons — and I’m sure they always will. The only difference is that today it happens more often at home, via streaming platforms. Movie theaters are not as full as before, which is why it’s especially valuable to watch films together with children during festivals. Animation is also a universal educational tool.
For example, our project The Steel Family was recommended by the Ministry of Education of Russia for family and school viewing. At the “MultAnima” festival, we showed it to children — and seeing their genuine reactions and answering their questions was priceless.

— Have you ever experienced creative crises? How do you cope with challenges?
Fortunately, I have never gone through a real creative crisis. Perhaps because any work related to animation brings me satisfaction. Of course, there are difficult tasks and stressful situations, but once a project is completed and delivered on time, it makes all the effort worthwhile. After that, it’s helpful to take a short break — do some sports, take a couple of days off — and then return to work with renewed energy.

— What would you advise a teenager who wants to connect their life with animation? What pitfalls should they be aware of?
I would advise participating in contests, festivals, and creative industry forums — and definitely communicating with professionals in the field. Today, there are far more opportunities than 15-20 years ago: creative industry schools and colleges are opening everywhere. You just have to make the most of these opportunities. And most importantly — you must feel that this is truly your calling. Once that feeling appears, everything else will follow.

Interview by Elizaveta Kurilova
The “MultAnima” Festival is organized by the Russian Animated Film Association with the support of the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. The festival has been held for eight years and is dedicated to the development of children’s and youth creativity, the promotion of Russian animation, and the support of young talents in this field.