Animated queer superhero film ‘Zsazsa Zaturnnah’ invites backers to fund the project

Prior to this revival, Rocketsheep Studio released in 2020 a minute-long teaser showing Ada transforming into Zsazsa before a mob of zombies attack her and a man she’s trying to save.

Although the visual treatment is quite different from that of Vergara’s original graphic novel, which was published in black and white, this animated film adaptation is enough to pique the curiosity of many and tease fans of the source material and the studio alike.

Rocketsheep Studio comprises dedicated animators with a profound passion for independent filmmaking.

“Our first feature film, Saving Sally (2016), took us 12 soul-crushing years to make because of our own inexperience and lack of bulk cash at hand,” the studio shared on their Kickstarter page for Zsazsa Zaturnnah.

“Luckily, it had a theatrical run in our country and went on to win the Jury Prize at Belgium’s international film festival, Portugal’s Fantasporto, and South Korea’s Seoul International Cartoon & Animation Festival, among many other international awards. We did not make money out of it though, because it turns out making a film is a totally different thing from selling a film,” the statement continued.

The studio’s sophomore offering, Hayop Ka (2020), was four years in the making, this time with a proper festival and distribution plan in place. “It was in competition at the Annecy Film Festival and was purchased by Netflix for showing across Asia. But we barely broke even because we completed the film at the height of the COVID pandemic. We were scared, we thought we had to cut our losses to survive,” said the studio in a statement.

Despite the challenges, Rocketsheep Studio is determined to bring the story of Ada and Zsazsa Zaturnnah to the international community through the magic of Filipino animation, a budding sector in today’s entertainment industry.

“Making animating films is so hard, but we are still alive and want to keep making more,” they shared.

Liongoren, who serves as the project’s director and producer alongside his sister Hannah, invites friends and fans to help them bring the project to fruition through Kickstarter. From July 7 to September 5, the crowdfunding campaign earned US$49,603 from 505 backers. Interested investors may still back the project beyond the funding period. 

Backing the project entitles you to a comprehensive library of Zsazsa Zaturnnah-related wallpapers for your devices, a copy of the film’s screenplay, digital art book featuring 150 pages of character and environment design that gives a glimpse of the preproduction process of the film, six animated short films made by the studio, your name in the end credits, a copy of the original graphic novel—all depending on how much you can pledge.

For a US$50 donation, you may have your name embedded into a film background as a sticker or graffiti, making you a part of the momentous film’s world. For US$100, you can be made into a cartoon extra in the film as one of the townsfolk. Giving US$250 can make you the coveted digital character of a zombie that attacks Ada’s hometown. If you give US$1,000, you are entitled to a limited edition Blu-ray copy of the film with a personalised jacket and video greeting. You’ll get a chance to have a video call with the team behind the film so that they can extend their gratitude to you. And finally, you and your plus one will be invited to the internal screening of the film with the team in the Philippines (not including travel and accommodations).

Any help can indeed make a difference. Rocketsheep Studio intends to use all the money earned from Kickstarter to spend on taxes and Kickstarter fees, while the bulk is dedicated to the animation’s production.

“We are a studio that has been working for over a decade and has delivered hundreds of advertisements, several short films, and two feature films. Completing Zsazsa Zaturnnah, as far as our animation team’s work ethic is concerned, is of low risk. We are committed to completing the film within 2026, but since animation is such a long process, surprise ninja factors could delay our projected date... Our team managed to complete our second film at the height of COVID, so we assure you that we will face any challenges with all our might and work our butts off to complete this film and send the rewards,” the studio promised.

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