Zsazsa Zaturnnah (film)
A gay beautician gains superpowers from a magical meteorite.
Zsazsa Zaturnnah (subtitled vs. the Amazonistas of Planet X) is an upcoming English-language adult animated superhero romantic comedy film. Avid Liongoren directed and co-produced it, and co-wrote the screenplay with Carlo Vergara. Vergara also wrote the story, which is based on his own komik of the same name. The plot centers on Ada, a shy, meek gay beautician from a small town. After discovering a meteorite from outer space, Ada gains the power to transform into Zsazsa Zaturnnah, a voluptuous and flamboyant superheroine. The film is an international co-production between the Philippines and France. Its premiere status is currently unclear; an unfinished version was screened at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival, but no official premiere date has been confirmed.
The story follows Ada, a shy gay beautician in a small Philippine town. Resigned to a single life after many heartbreaks, he finds a magical meteorite that lets him become the flamboyant female superhero Zsazsa Zaturnnah. He must fight the evil alien Amazonistas while also facing the tougher challenge of learning to love again.
The cast includes Phi Palmos as Adrian "Ada", Adrienne Vergara as Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Io Balanon as Didi (Ada's roommate), Sig Pecho as Dodong (a muscular but cowardly man and Ada's love interest), and Joelle Yuvienco as Queen Feminah Suarestellar Baroux (leader of the Amazonistas and Ada's archenemy).
In June 2019, Rocketsheep Studio posted a teaser for the animated film on Facebook. Creator Carlo Vergara wrote the screenplay after producing a spec script for an animated feature. He originally expected to develop an animated TV series, but accepted Liongoren's offer for a full-length film, despite initial hesitation about another Zsazsa Zaturnnah movie.
Over six years of production, the film received support from the ICOF Fund, a co-production initiative backed by the Filipino state agency FDCP, which provided ₱10,000,000. After nearly four years in development, the animation process required an additional $40,000 (₱2.3 million) to finish within two years. A Kickstarter campaign successfully raised $49,773 from 508 backers. Due to the lengthy production and slow animation process, the film's completion date remains unconfirmed.
Animation services were provided by Friendly Foes, Heson Studio, Rocketsheep Studio, Shockwave Animation, Studio Corvus, and St
- director
- Avid Liongoren
- screenplay
- Avid Liongoren and Carlo Vergara
- based_on
- Komik by Carlo Vergara
- production_countries
- Philippines, France
- premiere
- Unclear; an unfinished version screened at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival
- runtime
- Not specified in source
Quick Facts
- Director
- Avid Liongoren
- Writer
- Avid Liongoren / Carlo Vergara
- Story
- Carlo Vergara
- Based On
- Zsazsa Zaturnnah / by Carlo Vergara
- Producer
- Avid Liongoren / Hannah Liongoren / Franck Priot
- Studio
- CreaZion Studios / Ghosts City Films / Rocketsheep Studio
- Distributor
- Nathan Studios
- Released
- 2026 · 06 · 22 · Annecy
- Runtime
- 80 minutes
- Country
- Philippines / France
- Language
- English
- Budget
- ~$1.05 million
Facts from the source article.
Lore & Background
The film's development began with a teaser posted on Facebook in June 2019 by Rocketsheep Studio. Carlo Vergara, the creator of the Zsazsa Zaturnnah komik, wrote a spec script to adapt the story into an animated feature, though he originally expected to develop an animated television series. When approached by Avid Liongoren to make a full-length film, Vergara accepted, despite initial hesitation about making another Zsazsa Zaturnnah film. The film received support from the ICOF Fund, backed by Filipino state agency FDCP with ₱10,000,000 pesos, and spent almost four years in development. To complete the film within two years, a Kickstarter campaign raised $49,773 from 508 backers, exceeding its $40,000 goal.
Reader's Guide
Zsazsa Zaturnnah represents a notable entry in adult animation and Philippine cinema, blending superhero, romantic comedy, and LGBTQ+ themes. The film's lengthy production—over six years—and its reliance on crowdfunding highlight the challenges of independent animation. Its international co-production structure and premiere at a major animation festival underscore its cross-cultural appeal. The film won the Bronze Audience Award for animated films at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival, indicating positive reception among festival audiences. The casting of Phi Palmos, who reprised his role from the musical theater production, connects the film to existing stage adaptations. The film's premise—a gay beautician gaining superpowers and facing both alien invaders and personal heartbreak—offers a unique blend of genre and identity exploration.
Did You Know?
- The film's Kickstarter campaign raised $49,773 from 508 backers, exceeding its $40,000 goal.
- Phi Palmos, who voices Ada, reprised his role from the musical theater production of Zsazsa Zaturnnah.
- An unfinished version of the film was presented at the 2025 Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
- The film won the Bronze Audience Award for animated films at the 30th Fantasia International Film Festival.
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