Summary
Russia and ASEAN have started a creative-economy cooperation project focused on animation production. Its first business forum, held October 3–4 during the Animur festival in Khabarovsk, brought together more than 20 participants from ASEAN and over 70 Russian animation producers, alongside broadcasters and regional officials. Sessions covered export markets, workforce development and the Russian Far East’s role in creative collaboration; 11 studios pitched projects and received market advice. Russia’s Animated Film Association also signed a memorandum with Thailand’s Animation and Computer Graphics Association. The Thai group highlighted a government initiative offering foreign companies a 20% rebate when they hire Thai studios for animation, visual-effects or post-production services. Next steps are expected to include production webinars and a bilingual platform with market analysis and professional training materials.
Hana’s perspective
I find the practical production incentives more significant than the diplomatic language. A 20% Thai rebate can shape where animation, VFX and post-production work is placed, while direct studio contacts can turn a broad memorandum into actual service contracts or co-productions. The planned bilingual platform could also reduce a less visible barrier: producers often lack comparable information about partners, pipelines and local markets. Still, this announcement reports infrastructure for cooperation, not completed projects. Its value should be judged later by which pitches secure financing, how creative control and rights are shared, and whether smaller studios—not only established companies—gain sustained access to new audiences.
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