Two Pinoy-animated films to shine at Annecy Film Fest 2025

Two animated films will carry the Philippine flag to Annecy, France, as they are selected for presentation at the prestigious Annecy International Animation Film Festival 2025 in June—arguably the biggest animated film fest of the year.

Disney animator Bobby Pontillas and his partner Bernard Badion’s Sun Chaser is chosen as one of the MIFA Pitches under the “TV Series & Specials” Category.

Their 22-minute adventure film features fictional teen Jordan Santos’ dramatic summer vacation, during which a supernatural demon freezes his family and compels him to embrace his destiny as the next “Spirit Guardian.”

“I’ve been dying to even attend [at the Annecy 2025]. Now my brilliant co-creator Bernard Badion and I get to share our passion project on a global stage,” Pontillas wrote in a social media post sharing the news.

Meanwhile, director Avid Liongoren with Rocketsheep Studios will present Zsazsa Zaturnnah under “Work In Progress Features,” which will help them raise funds for its completion.

Inspired by Carlo Vergara’s 2002 comic of the same name, this 85-minute Young Adult film follows the adventures and love life of Ada, a shy gay man who transforms into an attractive female superhero when he swallows a magical rock.

A famous LGBTQ+ rendition of Darna in Pinoy culture, the story was also adapted into the 2006 movie starring BB Gandanghari as Ada and Zsazsa Padilla as the titular hero.

“It is a huge honor to be selected for the Work In Progress section because it means they already see value in our film in its unfinished state. This gives us confidence that what we are making is special,” Rocketsheep Studios wrote in a post.

The Annecy Animated Film Fest opens its doors yearly as a cultural hotspot of animation works around the world, from famous shows on Disney and Pixar to indie short films.

The shows and activities will run from June 9 to 15.