Its main task was production of popular science films and documentaries covering a broad range of topics.[4] In 1959, Kyivnaukfilm (an abbreviation for "Kyiv Science Films"), under Hippolyte Lazarchuk expanded into animation.[5] In addition, it released 342 animated films, a large number of which are still popular today, such as a series about Zaporozhian Cossacks called Cossacks (directed by Volodymyr Dakhno),[4]Adventures of Captain Wrongel series, Doctor Aybolit, and a version of Treasure Island (all three directed by David Cherkassky). The studio's films received numerous awards at international and national film festivals, such as the World Festival of Animated Film in Zagreb for Iryna Hurvych's How Women Sold Men and the Animated Film Festival in New York.[5]
Film director Felix Sobolev (Animals' Tongue, I and Others, Can Animals Think?)[6] and studio Editor-in-Chief Yevheniy Zahdanskyi are considered to be trailblazers and figures of major influence in the documentary field in the former Soviet Union. By 1966 the studio released over 400 films annually.
On March 29, 2019, in accordance with the order of the Ministry of Culture of Ukraine No. 256 "On the Reorganization of the State Enterprise "Ukrainian Animation Film Studio", the film studio "Ukranimafilm" was merged with the "Dovzhenko-Center," which became its legal successor.[8]
Ivasyk-Telesyk cartoon animation directed and written by Alla Hrachova, («Івасик-Телесик» 1989)[18]
Cat and Rooster - Ukrainian folk tale Cat and Rooster adaptation, Kyivnaukfilm / Ukranimafilm, written and directed by Alla Hrachova («Котик та Півник» 1991).[19]
The Tree Pans series (1989–1991)
The Tree Pans («Три Паньки» 1989)
Three Pans Are Housekeeping («Три Паньки хазяйнують» 1990)
Three Pans at the Fair («Три Паньки на ярмарку» 1991)
Popular science / documentaries
The Blown up Dawn, Взорванный рассвет, 1965, director Felix Sobolev
Animals' Language, Язык животных, 1967, director Felix Sobolev
Seven Steps beyond Horizon, Семь шагов за горизонт, 1968, director Felix Sobolev
Can Animals Think? Думают ли животные? 1970, director Felix Sobolev
Myself and Others, Я и другие, 1971, director Felix Sobolev
Indian yogis. Who are they? Индийские йоги — кто они? 1970, director Almar Serebryanikov
Echo of our Emotions, Луна наших эмоций (1977)
People and Dolphins, Люди и дельфины (1983), director Volodymyr Khmelnytskyi
Vavilov's Star, Звезда Вавилова, 1984, director Anatoliy Borsuk, screenwriter Serhiy Dyachenko[20]
Экспертиза одной сенсации, 1985, (about pseudoscience), director Lev Vdovenko
A Footprint, Отпечаток, 1985, director Anatoliy Borsuk
A Man from 6am through Midnight, Человек с шести до полуночи, 1987, (about everyday struggles of a young professional engineer in the Soviet Union), director Andrei Zagdansky