A brooding, twisted romance between a siren and a seafood chef. A docu-drama that champions social justice and press freedom. An epic tale about a fierce redheaded heroine and a fictional icon in the LGBTQIA+ community.
What do these three powerful stories have in common?
They’re all representing the Philippines at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival (AIAFF) in France from June 21 to 27, 2026.
Photo: Studio Heartbreak, GMA Pictures, Rocketsheep Studio
Philippine animation has gained remarkable recognition over time, thanks to the industry’s out-of-the-box storytelling and unique perspectives on Filipino voices and identities from all walks of life. That’s why we can constantly look forward to new animated projects every year. Some of which make their mark at local film festivals, while others raise our flag at international conventions for up-and-coming creatives, writers, and producers.
In 2021, for instance, Filipinos left a lasting impression on AIAFF attendees upon introducing Hayop Ka! The Nimfa Dimaano Story to the world. The raunchy adult comedy premiered at Annecy after its widely loved release on Netflix in 2019.
Similarly, Bobby Pantillas and Bernard Badion’s Sun Chaser was a standout pitch at Annecy’s International Animation Film Market (MIFA) in June 2025. The upcoming series won the Animation du Monde Prize and is set to come full circle with its premiere at this year’s festival.
Next month, the Philippines will showcase three new animated films slated for their highly anticipated premieres at Annecy. From sharp social commentary to unapologetic portrayals of queer identities, these homegrown labors of love are ready to raise the flag for the local animation scene. Here’s what you should know about them:
The Lovers
A sapphic love story with splashes of horror, science fiction, and dark fantasy? Sign us up! Studio Heartbreak’s The Lovers is finally getting its big break at Annecy after years of gaining prominence on social media. The animated short film, initially a Kickstarter project in 2023, follows a young seafood chef and a siren who develop an intense relationship despite living in two starkly different worlds.
We can’t help but cheer for The Lovers and its hardworking team for their momentous feat. A win for the short film is also a major step forward for Filipino creatives, queer storytellers, and girls’ love (GL) fans.
58th
Filipino journalists and their long-standing plight are at the heart of 58th, the latest rotoscope animation film by award-winning writer and director Carl Joseph Papa. This compelling drama, which stars Glaiza de Castro and Ricky Davao, revolves around press freedom and human rights advocacies in the aftermath of the Maguindanao Massacre.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah
We can’t have a conversation about Filipino superheroes without bringing up one of the country’s most prominent fictional divas, Zsazsa Zaturnnah. We’ve witnessed her loud and proud story unfold through various art forms and iterations, including:
- The original graphic novel by Carlo Vergara in 2002,
- The 2006 live-action musical film, ZsaZsa Zaturnnah: Ze Moveh, starring Zsa Zsa Padilla and Pops Fernandez,
- Ateneo Blue Repertory’s 2023 production, Zsazsa Zaturnnah the Musical… ‘Yun Lang!, where Kim Molina stepped into our beloved superhero’s shoes, and now,
- Simply Zsazsa Zaturnnah, an upcoming 2D animated film by Rocketsheep Studio, which also produced Hayop Ka! and Saving Sally.
At long last, Annecy will bear witness to this timeless story about staying true to yourself in the face of prejudice and hatred. This long-awaited movie puts a refreshing spin on Zsazsa’s journey, which revolves around Ada, a timid beautician who swallows a magical rock that turns him into the flamboyant, scene-stealing heroine we all know and love.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah has become a household name among LGBTQIA+ Filipinos for her colorful personality, inspiring adventures, fiery red hair, and signature pink get-up. Her latest chapter in local animation pays tribute to everyone who saw themselves in her and grew up fabulously queer because of it.
What are your favorite animated Filipino films? Share your picks with us in the comments below!