Honored Artist of the RSFSR (1965). One of the pioneers of Soviet animation. Since 1923 - he is an illustrator of children's books. In 1928, he graduated from the art department of the National Customs Committee. Even during his studies, he joined the experimental production group of animators (Yu.A. Merkulov, N.P. Khodataev, Z.P. Komissarenko). He worked as a facilitator in the experimental animation workshop of the State Customs Committee, in the groups of N.P. Khodataev and D.Ya. Cherkes, after graduation - at the Mezhrabpomfilm film factory. In 1931 he made his debut as a director, made the first original Soviet sound cartoon, Ulitsa poperek. He did his first directing work with L.K. Atamanov. With Atamanov and D.N. Babichenko. In 1935, he joined the team of V.F. Smirnov at the experimental animation workshop of the GUKF, then at Mosfilm. Since 1936 - in the film studio "Soyuzmultfilm". During this period, he worked closely with director L.A. Amalrik. Most of his films were made according to his own scripts.
From 1947 he taught animator courses at Soyuzmultfilm. Contributes to the development of color cinema. In 1948, he stopped directing and left Soyuzmultfilm.