ybw
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersMoscow, Russia
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
ybw firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ybw
- Legal name
- Yellow, Black and White
- Website
- https://ybw-group.ru
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ybw industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Film Production and Distribution
- NAICS
- Motion Picture and Video Production (512110), Motion Picture and Video Distribution (512120), Motion Picture and Video Industries (5121)
- SIC
- Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Production (7812), Services-Motion Picture & Video Tape Distribution (7822)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Scripted Feature Film Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Theatrical Distribution (Domestic) (MPADAJAA), Scripted TV Series Production (Live-Action) (MPADABAB)
Keywords
Where ybw is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Moscow
- HQ country
- Russia
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ybw business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Theatrical Film Distribution: Production and distribution of theatrical feature films in Russian cinemas. Revenue generated through box office ticket sales. Key releases include family comedies, fairy tale adaptations, and blockbuster franchises.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels3 records
ybw product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Yellow, Black and White produces and distributes Russian-language theatrical feature films, with a current focus on family comedies, fairy-tale adaptations, and blockbuster franchises. Its core catalog is organized around the Cheburashka, Kholop, Last Warrior, and Manyunya franchises, alongside standalone theatrical releases. Films are distributed theatrically in Russian cinemas through partnerships with Atmosfera Kino (50/50 co-owned) and Tsentral Partnership, and via online cinema platforms such as START and TV channels including Russia TV.
Product overview
Yellow, Black and White (YBW) is a Russian film studio and distributor founded in 2007, producing feature films and TV series. From its founding until 2017 the company focused on TV series production (including hits like «Кухня», «Отель Элеон», «Ивановы-Ивановы», «ИП Пирогова»), many of which were sold internationally with remakes in Poland, Greece, Portugal, Slovakia, Croatia, Georgia, and Estonia. Since 2017, YBW has concentrated on film production and distribution, emerging as a cinema industry leader recognized by the Cinema Fund. The studio's core product portfolio is organized around two flagship theatrical film franchises — the «Последний богатырь» (Last Warrior) cinematic universe (including «Последний богатырь», «Последний Богатырь. Корень зла», «Последний Богатырь. Посланник Тьмы», and the upcoming «Последний богатырь. Колобок») and the «Холоп» franchise (including original «Холоп», «Холоп 2», and the upcoming «Холоп 3»), alongside standalone theatrical releases such as the record-breaking family blockbuster «Чебурашка» (highest-grossing Russian film ever at ~6.8 billion rubles), «Вызов», «Поехавшая», «Финист. Первый богатырь», and the «Манюня» franchise. Films are distributed theatrically across Russia through distributors including Atmosfera Kino and Central Partnership, and digitally through the online cinema START. The studio's combined box office exceeds 29 billion rubles with over 100 million admissions. Upcoming releases include «Чебурашка 2» (January 1, 2026), «Колобок» (August 13, 2026), and «Холоп 3» (2026).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Kholop 2 (Холоп 2) 2024 theatrical comedy sequel to Kholop, in which Grisha encounters the spoiled Katya and embarks on another time-travel adventure to reform her character. Aimed at broad Russian family audiences; one of the highest-grossing Russian films.
- Cheburashka (Чебурашка) 2022 family comedy blockbuster — the highest-grossing Russian film of all time (6.8 billion rubles at the box office). Features the iconic character Cheburashka finding a home in a Russian seaside town. Aimed at broad family audiences.
- Poehavshaya (Поехавшая) 2023 comedy-drama about a woman who cycles 10,000 km from Moscow to Magadan to reconnect with her estranged mother. Aimed at broad Russian audiences seeking heartfelt entertainment.
- Last Warrior. Messenger of Darkness (Последний Богатырь. Посланник Тьмы) Fairy-tale adventure sequel in the Last Warrior franchise. Ivan and Vasilisa travel to modern Moscow to rescue Vasilisa from the ancient Darkness before their Belogorye wedding. Aimed at family audiences.
- Last Warrior. Root of Evil (Последний Богатырь. Корень зла) 2021 adventure sequel in the Last Warrior franchise revealing the origins of the ancient evil and introducing new corners of fairy-tale Belogorye. Family-audience fantasy with CGI-driven epic battles.
- Hotel Belgrade (Отель Белград) 2020 romantic comedy and travel film about a Serbian hotel owner forced to marry a criminal boss's daughter, who reunites with his Russian love Dasha. Aimed at adult romantic-comedy audiences.
- Kholop (Холоп)
Quantifiable outcome
- Cheburashka (2023) - 6.8 billion rubles box office, highest-grossing Russian film ever
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ybw
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments1 record
Ideal customer profiles2 records
ybw technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
ybw partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Atmosfera Kino (Атмосфера кино)coreStrategic partnership agreement signed April 2025. YBW became co-owner of the film distribution company in 50/50 ratio with Atmosfera Kino's founders Vadim Ivanov and Nikolay Borunkov. This partnership provides YBW with direct control over theatrical distribution of its films. Atmosfera Kino ranked #2 among Russian film distributors in 2024 with 6.8B rubles collected and 16% market share.
- START (online cinema)coreSTART is a co-production partner for multiple YBW films including Cheburashka 2, Kolobok, and Family Man. START is one of Russia's leading online cinema platforms.
- Russia TV Channel (телеканал Россия)coreCo-production partner for major YBW films including Cheburashka 2 and Kolobok. Russia TV is a major federal television channel.
- Film Fund (Фонд кино)coreYBW has been among the leaders of Russian film production supported by the state Film Fund since 2017. Films like Kolobok received support from Film Fund.
- VGTRKminorOne of the largest Russian media holding companies that YBW cooperates with for content production and distribution.
- STS (СТС)minorRussian TV channel partner for content production and distribution.
- First Channel (Первый канал)minorRussian federal TV channel partner for content production.
- Soyuzmultfilm (Союзмультфильм)minorLegendary Soviet animation studio involved as participant in Cheburashka 2 production.
- SberminorGeneral partner for Cheburashka 2 film. Sber is Russia's largest bank providing marketing and promotional support for the release.
- Ivi (Иви)minorOnline cinema platform co-producing the film 'Semyanin' with YBW.
- QS FILMSminorFilm production company co-producing 'Semyanin' with YBW.
- Tsentral Partnership (Централ Партнершип)minorMajor Russian film distributor (part of Gazprom-Media) distributing Cheburashka 2.
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
ybw competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- VGTRK: Russia's largest state media holding, operating Russia TV and other federal channels. Directly comparable as a co-production and distribution partner for YBW's major releases and as a vertically integrated Russian content producer.
- Mosfilm: Russia's largest and most historic film studio, state-affiliated, producing a wide slate of feature films and TV series. Comparable as a major Russian film producer, though with a broader catalog and state ownership structure.
- Blumhouse Productions: US-based independent film and television production company built on franchise/repeat-collaboration economics. Comparable as a producer-driven studio model that achieves outsized market share with a small core team and franchise IP strategy.
Direct peers
- Art Pictures Studio: Major Russian film and TV production company behind major theatrical releases. Closely comparable as a leading private Russian producer with both theatrical film and television output.
- Tsentral Partnership (Central Partnership): Major Russian film distributor and producer, part of Gazprom-Media. Directly comparable as a vertically integrated Russian film player and YBW's distribution partner for Cheburashka 2.
- Bazelevs: Independent Russian film production company founded by Timur Bekmambetov, producing theatrical blockbusters and franchise-driven content (Night Watch, Irony of Fate remakes). Directly comparable as a private Russian producer competing in the same theatrical tentpole category.
Emerging players
- Soyuzmultfilm: Legendary Soviet/Russian animation studio co-producing Cheburashka 2 with YBW. Comparable as a Russian content IP owner and animation/film production partner in the family content category.
Regional players
- START (online cinema): One of Russia's leading online cinema platforms and a co-production partner on multiple YBW films (Cheburashka 2, Kolobok, Semyanin). Comparable as a vertically adjacent Russian content player that both funds and distributes YBW's productions.
- Ivi: Major Russian online cinema platform co-producing 'Semyanin' with YBW. Comparable as a Russian OTT platform that funds original productions, similar to YBW's relationships with START and Russia TV.
Others
- A24: US independent film and TV production company known for franchise-building and distinctive IP. Comparable as a privately held, producer-led studio that has scaled from indie to category leader, useful as a capital-structure and growth-model benchmark.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights5 records
Customer concentration
ybw social profiles
Digital presenceybw financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ybw leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
ybw subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
ybw funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ybw M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about ybw
What does ybw do?
Yellow, Black and White produces and distributes Russian-language theatrical feature films, with a current focus on family comedies, fairy-tale adaptations, and blockbuster franchises. Its core catalog is organized around the Cheburashka, Kholop, Last Warrior, and Manyunya franchises, alongside standalone theatrical releases. Films are distributed theatrically in Russian cinemas through partnerships with Atmosfera Kino (50/50 co-owned) and Tsentral Partnership, and via online cinema platforms such as START and TV channels including Russia TV.
Is ybw a public or private company?
ybw is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was ybw founded?
ybw was founded in 2007. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ybw based?
ybw is headquartered in Moscow, Russia, in the Europe region.
How does ybw make money?
One revenue line is on record: theatrical Film Distribution.
Who are ybw's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are VGTRK, Mosfilm and Blumhouse Productions. Direct peers are Art Pictures Studio, Tsentral Partnership (Central Partnership) and Bazelevs. Soyuzmultfilm is listed as an emerging player. Regional players are START (online cinema) and Ivi. A24 is listed as an others.
Does ybw have an API?
No public API is recorded for ybw.
What industry is ybw in?
ybw's product category is Film Production and Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is MPADABAA, Scripted Feature Film Production (Live-Action), with a secondary code of MPADAJAA, Theatrical Distribution (Domestic). Its NAICS code is 512110 and its SIC code is 7812.