Zhanna Bekmambetova: Award-Winning Russian Animator Behind “Tweet Tweet” and “Son”

Zhanna Bekmambetova is one of contemporary Russian animation’s most compelling voices. Born in Tashkent and raised in Moscow, this VGIK graduate creates films that speak a universal language, one that transcends borders, cultures, and even words.

From VGIK Moscow to International Recognition

Bekmambetova graduated from the prestigious Gerasimov Institute of Cinematography (VGIK) with a degree in animated film production design. Russia’s most renowned film school has trained generations of cinema masters since 1919, and Bekmambetova proudly carries forward this tradition of excellence in Russian animation.

A passionate caricaturist, she loves sketching her friends and her daughter Sonya, who serves as endless inspiration for her creative projects. This intimate, observational approach infuses her animated films with authentic emotion and humanity, making her work deeply relatable to audiences worldwide.

“Tweet Tweet” (2018): Life on a Tightrope

Best Animated Film 2018 – Shanghai International Film Festival

“Tweet Tweet” is Bekmambetova’s breakthrough debut that captivated international audiences with its simple yet profound storytelling. This dialogue-free animation follows the touching friendship between young Luba and an intrepid sparrow as they navigate balance, fear, and those magical moments when we forget our limits and take flight.

Without a single word, the film communicates profound truths about childhood fears, the value of friendship, and the courage required to move forward despite our anxieties. The sparrow becomes more than a companion—it’s a mirror for Luba’s own journey toward self-confidence.

“Tweet Tweet” earned the Best Animated Short Film award at the Festival du Film Merveilleux and has been selected and awarded from festivals across Europe, Asia, and North America. Critics praised its emotional honesty, exquisite visual design, and ability to speak to both children and adults with equal power.

The film demonstrates why Russian animation remains influential worldwide: its ability to communicate complex emotions through pure visual means, its philosophical depth within seemingly simple stories, and its universal appeal across ages and cultures.

“Son” (2025): A Father’s Unconditional Love

Jury Prize 2025

Bekmambetova’s latest work, “Son”, has already garnered critical acclaim, winning the Jury Prize 2025 and showcasing her continued evolution as an artist. While “Tweet Tweet” explored childhood fears and friendship, “Son” tackles even more challenging subject matter with the same sensitivity and grace.

The unwavering devotion of a father to his son in a wheelchair finds hope in an unexpected inspiration from Mars. This touching and universal tale speaks to all parents who never give up, exploring themes of disability, parental love, perseverance, and hope without sentimentality.

The film’s science fiction element, the inspiration from Mars, adds a layer of magical thinking that elevates this intimate family story into something universally resonant. The father represents every parent who has felt helpless facing their child’s challenges yet refuses to surrender to despair. His journey isn’t about miraculous cures but about the daily act of showing up, believing in possibilities, and finding inspiration in unexpected places.

“Son” reflects the tradition of Russian animation tackling serious subjects with artistic integrity, a legacy established by masters like Yuri Norstein and Fyodor Khitruk, now carried forward by contemporary artists like Bekmambetova.

The Bekmambetova Touch: Poetry and Tenderness

Both “Tweet Tweet” and “Son” share a common sensibility: a filmmaker who captures the essence of humanity with poetry and tenderness. Bekmambetova’s animation style reveals a consistent artistic vision that values emotional truth over spectacle, intimate moments over grand gestures, and the quiet heroism of everyday life.

Her work demonstrates emotional depth without dialogue dependence, a signature of her great animation that trusts in the power of visual storytelling. Like the masters before her, Bekmambetova understands that silence can be more eloquent than words, that a gesture can communicate more than a speech.

Her aesthetics combined with modern techniques create a timeless quality that feels simultaneously classic and contemporary. This synthesis of traditional techniques learned at VGIK with modern storytelling approaches positions her as a vital bridge between Russian animation’s glorious past and its promising future.

Experience Both Films in Paris: October 14, 2025

The Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire presents both of Zhanna Bekmambetova’s masterful animated short films as part of a special Russian cinema evening in partnership with the Centre Spirituel et Culturel Orthodoxe Russe.

This unique program offers Parisian audiences a rare opportunity to discover two award-winning works from one of Russia’s most talented contemporary animators. Seeing both films in sequence allows you to appreciate the consistency of her vision while observing her growth in handling increasingly complex emotional material.

Event Details

Date: Tuesday, October 14, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Location: Centre Spirituel et Culturel Orthodoxe Russe, 1 quai Branly, 75007 Paris
Films: “Tweet Tweet” (2018) + “Son” (2025)
Language: Dialogue-free animation (universally accessible)
Admission: Free upon registration ( screening followed by drinks )
Age: 18+

Register now: https://forms.gle/mD5dmG1xSyi9kgm4

Russia Focus: 5 Exceptional Short Films

Bekmambetova’s two films are part of a comprehensive program featuring five exceptional works showcasing contemporary Russian filmmaking:

“La Louve” (The She-Wolf) by Svetlana Trébulle – Franco-Russian fiction exploring myth and reality
“Tweet Tweet” by Zhanna Bekmambetova – Award-winning animation (Best Film 2018)
“Hymn of the Plague” by Ataka51 collective – Experimental cinema (Music Prize 2025)
“Mermaid” by Dasha Charusha – Reimagined fairy tale (SFX Prize 2025)
“Son” by Zhanna Bekmambetova – Moving family story (Jury Prize 2025)

This curated selection showcases the diversity and excellence of contemporary Russian cinema, from animation to live-action fantasy, offering a complete portrait of Russian imaginative filmmaking today.

Why This Evening Matters

Since 2010, the Festival du Film Merveilleux & Imaginaire has showcased imaginative cinema from 36 countries across five continents. Russian animation holds a special place in the history of fantastic cinema, representing one of the medium’s most sophisticated traditions. This program celebrates that heritage while introducing audiences to contemporary voices like Zhanna Bekmambetova who are shaping the future of animation.

Don’t miss these two gems that showcase a Russian animator who captures the essence of humanity with poetry and tenderness. Experience why Zhanna Bekmambetova is considered one of the most important voices in contemporary Russian animation cinema.

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