Filipino film ‘Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah’ to premiere at Annecy International Animation Film Fest in France

The animated adaptation of "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah" will be showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival this June in France.

The film, which took six years to make, was previously featured in the festival’s Work in Progress section last year and has now moved up to the Midnight Specials lineup. 

Other films in the official selection include “Gregor,” “Sekiro: No Defeat,” “Soul Shift” and “Festival sportif des salariés.”

Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah follows Ada, a shy gay hairdresser who transforms into a red-haired female superhero after swallowing a mysterious, power-infused meteorite. The story is based on the 2002 graphic novel by Filipino artist Carlo Vergara, who also wrote the screenplay.

The animated version is co-produced by CreaZion Studios, Nathan Studios, and Rocketsheep Studio, and directed by Avid Liongoren, known for “Saving Sally” and “Hayop Ka!”

"Hayop Ka!" made history in 2021 as the first Philippine animated feature selected for the Annecy main competition. 

The 2002 comic book was first made into a live-action, musical-comedy film in 2006 titled "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh."Zsa Zsa Padilla and BB Gandanghari topbilled the flick.

Also representing the Philippines  is filmmaker and animator Carl Joseph Papa’s “58th,” which will screen in the Contrechamp (reverse shot or reverse angle) section. 

The animated docu-drama explores the events surrounding the 2009 Maguindanao Massacre. The film features the late Ricky Davao in his final screen role as photojournalist Reynaldo “Bebot” Momay, believed to be the massacre’s 58th victim. It also stars Glaiza de Castro and Marco Masa.

“58th” also premiered at the International Film Festival Rotterdam in the Netherlands.

Meanwhile, Variety reports that the animated series “Sun Chaser" will debut its pilot episode at the Annecy festival.

The Annecy Festival is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious events in animation. It brings together creators, studios, and storytellers from around the world to celebrate outstanding animated storytelling. This year’s festival will be held from June 21 to 27.