Zsazsa Zaturnnah (film)
| Zsazsa Zaturnnah | |
|---|---|
Teaser poster | |
| Directed by | Avid Liongoren |
| Written by | Avid Liongoren Carlo Vergara |
| Story by | Carlo Vergara |
| Based on | Zsazsa Zaturnnah by Carlo Vergara |
| Produced by | Avid Liongoren Franck Priot |
Production companies | Rocketsheep Studio Ghosts City Films |
| Distributed by | SC Films International |
Release date |
|
Running time | 80 minutes[1] |
| Countries | Philippines France |
| Language | English |
| Budget | ~$250,000[2] |
Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X (or simply Zsazsa Zaturnnah) is a 2025 adult animated superhero comedy film directed and co-written by Avid Liongoren, from a screenplay he co-wrote with Carlo Vergara, who also wrote the story based on a komik Zsazsa Zaturnnah.
The film follows a small-town shy and meek gay beautician named Ada discovers a meteorite from outer space, gives him the ability to turn into a voluptuous, flamboyant superheroine under his identity "Zsazsa Zaturnnah".[3]
An international co-production among Philippines and France, Zsazsa Zaturnnah had its world premiere at the Work in Progress section of the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.[4]
Premise
Living in exile to a small town, Ada, a gay beautician, who fell in love with a muscular man Dodong, but he is reluctant towards Dodong's attraction due to "broken heart" multiple times in the past including his homophobic father who scolds him harshly for being gay. At night, he discovers a melon-sized magical meteorite and swallows it whole. It transforms him into a superheroine. He is ready to fight and defend the world from all sorts of supernatural and extra terrestrial threats, including the evil alien corporation Amazonistas, while facing into his difficult challenge of learning to love again, even in his ongoing relationship with Dodong.
Cast
- Phi Palmos as Adrian "Ada", a small-town shy and meek gay beautician.
- Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Ada's feminine counterpart.
- Didi, Ada's roommate.
- Dodong, a muscular yet cowardly man and Ada's love interest.
- Queen Feminah Suarestellar Baroux, a leader of the Amazonistas and Ada's archenemy.
Development
In June 2019, a teaser for an animated Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah was posted at Facebook by Rocketsheep Studio, the same animation production company that made Saving Sally.[5] Zaturnnah's creator, Vergara, himself penned the screenplay after he wrote a spec script to fit the story in an animated feature.[6] Vergara, however, originally expected to develop a television series for the character but when he was approached by Liongoren to do a new full-length film, he accepted it,[6] although he was initially hesitant in making another film for Zsazsa Zaturnnah.[6]
The film received support from the ICOF Fund, targeting co-productions and backed by Filipino state agency FDCP with ₱10,000,000 pesos provided.[7][8] The film worked for almost 4 years of development but, due to animation process, need to raise additional $40,000 (₱2.3 million) to finish the film within two years through Kickstarter campaign, which successfully raised $49,773 with 508 backers.[9]
Phi Palmos was cast in the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, who reprised his role from the musical theater.[10]
Release
According to Variety, the film is stated to premiere film festivals in 2024 such as Cannes or Toronto under the release with UK-based independent production company SC Films International as a distributor for international rights, with Simon Crowe serves as an executive producer.[11]
Due to lengthy production and slow animation process, it is projected to be complete in 2026 after the campaign has already funded.[2]
References
- ^ "RocketSheepStudio.Com | ZSAZSA ZATURNNAH VS. THE AMAZONISTAS OF PLANET X – Feature Film In Preproduction". Archived from the original on December 7, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ a b IV, Franz Sorilla. "Animated queer superhero film 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah' invites backers to fund the project". Tatler Asia. Retrieved February 12, 2025.
- ^ Baker, Richard. "ZsaZsa Zaturnnah". SC Films International. Archived from the original on June 20, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ Roxborough, Scott (April 23, 2025). "Annecy Unveils 2025 Lineup (Full List)". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved April 23, 2025.
- ^ Rodriguez, Mia (July 28, 2019). "Zsazsa Zaturnnah Is Making a Comeback as a Cartoon". SPOT.PH. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ a b c "WATCH: First teaser for Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah animated movie". ABS-CBN News. June 1, 2019. Archived from the original on October 9, 2019. Retrieved September 18, 2019.
- ^ "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah vs. The Amazonistas of Planet X | FDCP". www.fdcp.ph. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ Magazine, Animation (April 19, 2022). "SC Films Picks Up Queer Filipino Comics Adaptation 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah'". Animation Magazine. Archived from the original on December 6, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ ""Zsazsa Zaturnnah" Animated Film Currently Being Developed". Art+ Magazine. Archived from the original on August 28, 2024. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ "Instagram". www.instagram.com. Retrieved July 11, 2025.
- ^ Jones, Holly (April 19, 2022). "SC Films Boards Rousing Animated Feature 'Zsazsa Zaturnnah vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X' (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.