Filipino sapphic short ‘The Lovers’ draws rave reactions after Annecy premiere

Filipino sapphic short “The Lovers” earns rave reviews after Annecy 2026 premiere, wows audiences with bold visuals and queer storytelling.

Indie animation outfit Studio Heartbreak is making waves on the global stage as its highly anticipated dark sapphic short film, “The Lovers,” premiered at the 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival in France, drawing glowing first reactions from festival-goers.

Audiences who caught the premiere quickly took to platforms like Letterboxd to praise the project. One viewer described the short as an “absolute beauty,” citing its “stunning visuals, perfect storytelling, [and] endearing characters.”

The film’s queer themes also stood out among reviewers, with fans celebrating its lesbian representation, with one writing, “long live the lesbians!”

Another festival-goer highlighted the animation’s aesthetic choices, noting that “the psychedelic parts are really well done” and comparing its overall vibe to American singer Chappell Roan’s sapphic anthem, “Casual.” The hype was palpable, with one fan simply calling the premiere a “bangeeerr.”

The 2026 Annecy International Animation Film Festival runs from June 21 to 27 in Annecy, France.

Set in the bustling district of Binondo, Manila, the queer adult animated short follows Sara, a reluctant seafood chef forced to take over her family’s failing restaurant. Her life takes a dangerous turn when she enters a turbulent enemies-to-lovers affair with a sirena—an apex predator armed with sharp spines and psychedelic venom.

The project had already secured strong international support prior to its French premiere, having been fully crowdfunded by more than 7,000 backers in just 45 days.

Following its festival run alongside other Filipino animation projects, fans who missed the premiere can expect the short film to be released for free on Studio Heartbreak’s official YouTube channel soon.

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