From Hollywood to Home: Fil-Am Animator Bobby Pontillas Champions Filipino Stories in “Sun Chaser”
- Melissa Santañez
- 5 hours ago
- 1 min read
Bobby Pontillas, a Filipino-American animator celebrated for his work on Disney blockbusters like Frozen and Moana, is now placing Filipino narratives at the heart of global animation. His latest project, Sun Chaser, is a personal and cultural journey that explores identity, belonging, and the richness of Filipino heritage.
In January, Pontillas returned to the Philippines to collaborate with local talent at Toon City, a respected animation studio based in Manila. Together, they brought Sun Chaser to life — a series deeply inspired by Pontillas’ own story growing up as a Filipino-American and finding his voice through animation.
The animated series gained international recognition when it was selected to be showcased at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival, one of the most prestigious animation events in the world. Not only did it captivate global audiences, but Sun Chaser also bagged the MIFA Animation du Monde Prize, affirming its storytelling brilliance and emotional depth.
With Sun Chaser, Pontillas has gone full circle — from animating tales of princesses and demigods to spotlighting the stories of his own people. This marks a monumental step forward for Filipino representation in animation and a powerful example of diaspora artists reconnecting with their cultural roots.
Source: Business Insider
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