The emergence of cartoons in Azerbaijan dates back to the early 1930s. As early as 1933, the staff of the Azerbaijanfilm studio made preparations for the production of this type of film and brought the necessary materials from Moscow. That same year, they used technical animation to make the documentaries Lokbatan and Oil Symphony (directed by B. Pumpyanski). In the instructional film “Cat” (pictured Basov) animation was used in its entirety. The film was shown on All-Union screens until 1938.

It was after the release of this film that a group of entrepreneurs in the film studio decided to create a cartoon for the first time. The theme for the film is taken from Azerbaijani folk tales. The script was written by A. Papov. The young director E. Dikaryov directed this scenario called “Abbas’s misfortune”. The drawings were made by G.Khaligov, J.Zeynalov, M.Magomayev and A.Mirzayev. The cameraman of the film was Q. Yegiazarov.

In addition, shortly before the start of the Great Patriotic War, the studio was preparing to shoot the second cartoon. The title of the film was: “Sinbad is a sea traveler.” It was supposed to be a sound film. But, unfortunately, the work on the start of the war was incomplete.

It should be noted that hundreds of scientific and popular documentaries have been used in the film studio since then. Artists J.Zeynalov, M.Rafiyev, A.Akhundov, N.Mammadov, B.Aliyev, installation cameraman A.Milov took part in the creation of these films.

In the late 60’s, the studio was able to shoot cartoons. A group of 20 artists has been set up to shoot the cartoons. Special courses have been opened in the studio to learn the secrets of cartoon art.

After the restoration of the cartoon workshop at the Azerbaijanfilm film studio named after Jabbarli in 1968, director A. Isgandarov paid attention to the commissioning of the workshop and the training of personnel for cartoons, as well as the production of cartoons.

Finally, on February 28, 1969, the production of the animated film of the same name based on the motifs of the folk tale “The Dwarf” was completed. “Dwarf” was the first film made after the restoration of the studio’s cartoon shop. The film was released in 1969 and did not leave the screens of our cinemas for a long time. Thus, the second period in the history of cartoons in Azerbaijan began with the production of “Dwarf”.

In the 70s, the animation department of the film studio produced more than 20 cartoons. In 1970, animators gave screen life to three films in this genre. Two of them are “Bear and Mouse” (directed by N.Mammadov) and “Lion and Bull” (directed by A.Akhundov) microfilms. The second film was then included in the All-Union Film Almanac “Kaleidoscope-71”. The third is “Fitna” (directed by A. Akhundov) color application film. This film is based on the motifs of the genius Azerbaijani poet N. Ganjavi’s fairy tale of the same name, the design of the image (artist E. Rzaguliyev) is solved in the style of medieval Azerbaijani miniature art.

The search for the original plastic solution is clearly visible in the cartoons “Mrs. Pispisa and Mouse Bey” (1974) and “My Chickens” (1980) (directed by A. Akhundov). The animated film “The Fox Goes on a Pilgrimage” (directed by N.Mamadov, B. Aliyev) based on the work of the same name by A.Shaig in 1971 is one of the most interesting works in terms of style and craftsmanship. The puppet film “Jackal oglu jackal” (1972, directed by M.Rafiyev) is the first and only wide-screen Azerbaijani cartoon.

A large group of artists-cartoonists worked on the creation of the films. Besides A.Akhundov, N.Mammadov and M.Rafiyev, M.Panahi, B.Aliyev, H.Akbarov, F.Guliyeva, A.Mammadov also created cartoons in the film studio.

The theme of the film “Why the cloud cries” (1973, directed by M. Panahi) is taken from our national folklore. The resolution of the image is based on the classic oriental miniature. In 1974, the first prize was awarded to the animated film at the VII All-Union Film Festival in Baku.

The film “The New Adventure of the Dwarf” (1973, directed by N.Mammadov and B.Aliyev) is intended for young children. In the film, modernity is organically connected with the fantastic motifs of folklore. The film-tale “Prince – black gold” (1974, directed by N.Mammadov and B.Aliyev) in poetic form tells about the extraction of black gold from the ground, from the bottom of the sea.

In the cartoons “In a Day” (1975), “Dingil sazim, dingil” (1976), “Paw… Ear… Palaz… Thorn” (1976) (directed by M. Panahi) instructive issues are touched upon.

The motives of N. Ganjavi’s work are also the basis of the film “Shah and servant” (1976, directed by N. Mammadov). Here, the story of a loyal servant and a ruthless, cruel shah, well known to the Azerbaijani reader, is brought to life on the screen.

An experiment was conducted in the film “Create a dream” (1977, directed by F. Gurbanova), which was developed in a mixed technique, using actors and animation. It can also be called a movie clip.

During these years, two films were made independently – “Stone” and “Hedgehog cub and apple” (1977, directed by H. Akbarov). The first film, intended for adults, calls on the peoples of the world to show solidarity for the prohibition of war and the establishment of peace on earth. The second film calls us to protect wildlife.

In the animated and applied films “Collect and Shadow” (1977), “The Next Regret” (1978) and “The Enchanted Jar” (1979) (directed by N.Mammadov), the importance of being kind, noble, diligence, respect for elders and other human qualities is discussed.

As the name suggests, the Maiden Tower Legend (1978) is based on the motifs of the Azerbaijani folk legend.

In the 80s, the film studio produced 38 cartoons. Among them are “My Chickens”, “A Man Comes to the Forest”, “Magic Tree”, “Taya”, “Naughty Rabbit”, “Chest”, “You are so cute”, “Magic Petal”, “Flying Giraffe”, “Strange Dragon”, “Persecution”, “It’s time to sleep”, “Little shepherd”, “Humay’s dream”, “Adventures of the Pacific”, “Mother landed on a tree” and others. Cartoons, “Good and Evil”, “Dwarf-Wrestler”, “Child and Wind”, “Aquarium”, “Dwarf and Giant”, “New Year’s Story”, “Magic Patterns” were applied.

The animated film “My Chickens” (directed by A. Akhundov), shot in the early 80’s, quickly became popular.

The application film of the same name (directed by N.Mammadov) based on the motives of N.Ganjavi’s “Good and Evil” is intended for adults. The film tells the story of Kheir’s good deeds in the arid desert and the evil deeds of Shari in response. “Aquarium” application film (artist-director F. Gurbanova) is a poetic film. Installation shots were used here. Along with the characters in the application, the film also features a live boy. In 1984, at the II All-Russian competition of documentary and popular science films on nature protection and efficient use of its resources in Murmansk (Russia), the animated film was awarded a diploma of the jury and an Honorary Decree of the State Cinematography Committee of the RSFSR.

The half-grown doll was first used in the film studio in the film “Astrologer’s student” (directed by A. Maharramov). Based on folk tales, the film tells the story of a teenager who wants to get rich easily and falls into ridiculous situations as a result of greed.

One evening… (directed and illustrated by F. Gurbanova) is a cartoon, mixed, eclair film. The unique style solution, successful music against drunkenness and alcoholism strengthens the social pathos of this film. There are scenes with acting and drawings. The events of the film take place in an ordinary room, in front of an eight-year-old girl. At the XIX All-Union Film Festival in Almaty in 1986, the film won a special jury prize for the original solution of the topical issue. In addition to the above-mentioned films, several other cartoons were made in the 80s, including “Spring Games”, “Tale of the Pomegranate Tree”, “Garavelli”, “Geldi Kosa”, “Chrysanthemum Leaf”, “Difficult Problem”, “Dreams… Dreams” … ”,“ Arrogant elephant cub ”,“ Talada ev ”and others. created.

However, in general, the artistic quality of Azerbaijani cartoons was not at the same level. There were several reasons for this: the first was related to staff training and professionalism, and the second was related to the lack of technical equipment, especially paints.

Socio-political processes in the country in the late 80’s, their impact on all areas, including creative organizations, the search for ways to move to a new way of working “Azerbaijanfilm” gave impetus to the independent activities of associations and departments of the film studio. In April 1990, for the first time in the Soviet Union, Azerbaijani multipliers switched to a farm lease. The name of the animation workshop was also changed to “Azanfilm” Creative-Production Association. “Azanfilm” means Azerbaijani animated films. Why animation, not animation? Because all over the world, the type of cinema, such as multiplication, is called animation.

In the 90s, 19 cartoons were made under the Azanfilm brand. Among them are “Once Upon a Time” (directed by V.Talibov), “Dedication” (directed by Sh. Najafzadeh), “Room” (directed by V.Talibov, R.Ismayilov), “The Epic of Sarkey” (directed by A Maharramov), “Beautiful Fatma”, “Caravan” (directed by N.Mammadov), “Mirror”, “Sea Walk”, “Hope” (all directed by E.Akhundov), “Conversation-Asmar” (directed by E .Hami), “Shuala” (T.Piriyev) are interesting and well-groomed screen works.

The cartoon “Once Upon a Time” is a political satire about the events of our time. In 1993, director V.Talibov was awarded a prize and a diploma for the best animated film at the II festival-competition of Azerbaijani films in Baku.

The film “Dedication” is dedicated to the victims of Stalin’s repression. In 1991, the animated film was awarded a diploma at the Oberhausen International Film Festival. In 1991, he was awarded the prize for the most successful debut at the festival of the International Federation of Animated Films “KROK-91” in Kiev. In 1991, it received an award for the best animated film at the International Film Festival “View from the East” in Baku.

In the animated film “Room” there is a room of joy from the 9th symphony of the great composer Beethoven. Film is the meaning of life, philosophical thoughts about creativity.

The animated film “Hope” based on the motives of SS Akhundov’s “Horror Tales” won a cash prize and a prize for the director at the festival “Our Unknown Cinema-2”.

The application film “Sohbatul-Asmar” is dedicated to the 500th anniversary of the great Azerbaijani poet M.Fuzuli. The authors are mainly based on the works of miniature artist Sultan Mohammad Tabrizi. In 1995, at the III Festival-Competition of Azerbaijani films in Baku, the director was awarded a diploma and a prize for the best animated film.

The animated film “Caravan” based on the famous work “Caravan” by composer Soltan Hajibeyov consists of three short stories: the first tells about the ancient human settlement of Gobustan. The second novella touches on the theme of the East and women. The third novella is about the tragedies of January 20 and Khojaly.