International sales and production company EST N8 has acquired worldwide rights to “Janur Ireng: Sewu Dino the Prequel,” a supernatural horror feature from Indonesian filmmaker Kimo Stamboel and MD Pictures. The deal was revealed at Berlin’s European Film Market.
The deal, which excludes Indonesia and Taiwan with selective rights available in Southeast Asia, was negotiated between MD Pictures and EST N8 executives Sophie Shi and Cathy Ni.
Stamboel’s prequel expands the horror universe established in the Southeast Asian blockbuster “Sewu Dino,” exploring the origins of the supernatural curse that drives the franchise. The completed film premiered in Indonesia on Dec. 24, 2025, and is now being presented to international buyers at EFM.
Set years before the original film’s events, the story delves into dark rituals and ancient forces that awaken the terrifying entity, examining the human sacrifices connected to its power.
Stamboel has built an international reputation through genre films including “Sewu Dino,” “The Queen of Black Magic” and “Headshot.” He also directed MD Pictures’ “Dancing Village: The Curse Begins,” Southeast Asia’s first filmed-for-Imax production, which landed a U.S. distribution deal with Lionsgate.
“We are excited to continue our collaboration with top Indonesian genre talent and expand the ‘Sewu Dino’ universe for global audiences,” said Shi, head of EST N8 studios. “Kimo Stamboel is one of the most dynamic horror directors working today, and Janur Ireng delivers the scale and mythology that international fans are looking for.”
EST N8’s current sales slate includes English-language suspense drama “Dear Stranger” featuring the cast of “Drive My Car,” horror titles “The Invisible Half,” “The Hole,” “Pabrik Gula,” “Sorop,” “Hutang Nyawa” and “Perewangan,” Kongkiat Komesiri’s thriller “Delivery Man,” Fantasia best director award-winning Korean action film “Mash Ville,” Korean horror thriller “Chabak” and Cantonese-language thriller “Tape,” based on Richard Linklater’s Sundance film.
Founded in 2022 by Jaeson Ma and Eric Tu, EST Studios represents Asian content in the international marketplace. The company’s production credits include Oscar-shortlisted, Emmy-nominated “Hidden Letters” directed by Violet Du Feng, and TIFF selection “K-Pops!” directed by Anderson .Paak.
N8, founded in 2023 by Kris Eiamsakulrat and Rachel Y. Wu, operates as an independent film and television studio based in Bangkok with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The company co-produced Thai horror “Home for Rent” with GDH and Pawo Choyning Dorji’s “The Monk and the Gun,” which served as Bhutan’s official submission for the 2024 Academy Awards.
MD Pictures, the first publicly listed film company on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, has operated as a content powerhouse in Southeast Asia for over two decades. The company released “KKN: Curse of the Dancing Village” in 2022, which became the highest-grossing horror film of all time in Indonesia with over 10 million viewers. MD acquired and launched MDTV in early 2025.