Global sales, production, and finance company EST N8 has secured the international rights to Hutang Nyawa, an Indonesian horror film set to release on December 12. The deal was finalized during the Jogja-Netpac Asian Film Festival (JAFF).
Directed by Billy Christian, a veteran in the horror genre with over a decade of experience, Hutang Nyawa follows the story of Erwina, the youngest member of a family who is sent to work in an old factory. She soon discovers that she has been offered as a human sacrifice to settle her family’s dark debt with the devil. Christian’s previous film, Motel Melati, was showcased at the Sitges Film Festival.
The film stars Taskya Namya, known for Netflix’s The Shadow Strays and the horror film Suzzana, alongside Rachel Vennya, a social media influencer making her acting debut in the genre. The film is produced by Visinema Pictures, the studio behind successful projects like Filosofi Kopi and Keluarga Cemara.
The acquisition was negotiated by Tenten Wei, Sophie Shi, and Cathy Ni of EST N8. The company’s Asian portfolio also includes Awi Suryadi’s horror Perewangan, Kongkiat Komesiri’s thriller Delivery Man, and the Korean action film Mash Ville, which won the Fantasia Best Director Award.
Jaeson Ma, chair of EST Studios, praised Hutang Nyawa as “a gripping, chilling masterpiece that showcases the power of Indonesian cinema. Billy Christian’s vision and the outstanding cast make it a must-watch.”
EST Studios, founded in 2022 by Jaeson Ma and Eric Tu, aims to bring diverse Asian stories to the international stage. The company’s current lineup includes the Oscar-shortlisted documentary Hidden Letters and the Toronto selection K-Pops!.
N8, established in 2023 by Kris Eiamsakulrat and Rachel Y. Wu, has co-produced several notable Southeast Asian films, including the Thai horror hit Home For Rent and Bhutan’s Oscar submission The Monk and The Gun. Upcoming projects include Heals, a documentary in collaboration with World of Wonder, and A Useful Ghost, a supernatural film directed by Ratchapoom Boonbunchachoke.
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