Reflection Paper on the Webinar Title: Annecy Winner Pitch - Sun Chaser: A Fantastical Filipino Adventure Show

 

        I attended a webinar titled “Annecy Winner Pitch - Sun Chaser: A Fantastical Filipino Adventure Show.” The main focus of this webinar was to share the guest speaker's journey collaborating with the local studio, Toon City, to create his upcoming animated series, Sun Chaser. The webinar was facilitated by Asian Animation and took place on September 27, 2025. Sir Bobby Pontillas, a Filipino-American director and artist who has worked with studios such as Disney, Blue Sky, and Taiko, was the guest speaker.

The link below is the animation trailer for Sun Chaser:
https://youtu.be/DxULtBHhIBw?si=2krueQj4lmSRBQKP

        The webinar was both entertaining and informative. Sir Bobby Pontillas shared his journey, detailing his experiences working with major companies like Disney and Blue Sky before leading his own project at Toon City Animation Studio. He began his career as an animator for indie games and eventually progressed to director and artist at larger animation studios. Sir Bobby highlighted how his work on "Sun Chaser" was significantly inspired by Filipino culture and myths during his visit to the Philippines. His goal is to represent and empower Filipino culture through his creative works, a vision he successfully realized when his creation was approved for launch as one of the new upcoming TV series. He also emphasized the busy schedule they face while managing the series, stressing the importance of meeting deadlines.

        This webinar was a fascinating topic that aligns perfectly with both my academic course and my passion for art. I look forward to attending more events like this and meeting other incredible animators.

        Understanding the approval process for TV series is essential. It involves a great deal of work and requires a unique and compelling story, as audiences are constantly seeking new experiences and relatable content. Meeting audience expectations is increasingly challenging, and the competition among studios continues to rise, making it difficult for any pitch or idea to secure approval.

        Sir Bobby Pontillas’s journey truly inspires me to see the beauty in ideas and sketches. Fortunately, we are surrounded by many beautiful things that can spark creativity, and it is up to us to develop a more innovative perspective on this type of content from the beginning.

        The webinar was enjoyable, as the presenter showcased his amazing artworks. It was also a great way to introduce his own TV series. My only criticism is that it only lasted for 30 minutes. I look forward to seeing more incredible Filipino animators; it's refreshing to witness their journeys. I wish to learn more about them and how the animation industry operates as a team. It’s heartwarming to see so many people supporting each artist, which highlights the kindness of the community and their appreciation for art.

        I don’t have any specific complaints; I just wish the webinar had lasted longer. I hope to attend more similar events in the future, as I look forward to meeting and learning from these talented animators. I also aspire to achieve a level of success that allows me to work with them or even start my own TV series as an indie animator.