International sales and production company EST N8 has acquired world rights to Indonesian filmmaker Kimo Stamboel and MD Pictures’ supernatural horror feature Janur Iren: Seu Dino the Prequel. The deal was announced at the European Film Market in Berlin.
The deal, which excludes Indonesia and Taiwan with optional rights available in Southeast Asia, was negotiated between MD Pictures and EST N8 executives Sophie See and Cathy Nee.
The Stamboel prequel expands on the horror world established in the Southeast Asian blockbuster Sewu Dino, exploring the origins of the supernatural curse that drives the series. The completed film premiered in Indonesia on December 24, 2025 and is currently being shown to international buyers at EFM.
Set several years before the events of the original film, the story delves into the dark rituals and ancient powers that awaken terrifying beings, and explores the human sacrifices involved in those powers.
Stamboel built international fame through genre films such as “Sewu Dino,” “The Queen of Black Magic,” and “Headshot.” He also directed “Dancing Village: The Curse Begins” for MD Pictures. It is Southeast Asia’s first film to be shot for Imax and has a U.S. distribution deal with Lionsgate.
“We are excited to continue collaborating with the genre’s top talents in Indonesia and expand the world of ‘Sew Dino’ to a global audience,” said Mr. See, Head of EST N8 Studios. “Kimo Stambor is one of the most dynamic horror directors working today, and Janur Iren provides the scale and mythology that international fans are looking for.”
EST N8’s current sales schedule includes the English suspense drama “Dear Stranger,” starring the cast of “Drive My Car,” horror titles “The Invisible Half,” “The Hole,” “Publik Gula,” “Sorop,” “Futang Nyawa,” “Pelewangan,” the thriller “Delivery Man,” directed by Konkiat Komesri, and the Korean action film “Mash,” which won the Fantasia Best Director award. Ville”, Korean horror. “Chabak,” a thriller based on Richard Linklater’s Sundance film, and “Tape,” a Cantonese thriller.
Founded in 2022 by Jaeson Ma and Eric Tu, EST Studios represents Asian content in the international market. The company’s production credits include Oscar finalist and Emmy nominee “Hidden Letters,” directed by Violet du Fenn, and TIFF selection “K-POPS!” Directed by Anderson Paak.
Founded in 2023 by Chris Eiamsakrat and Rachel Y. Wu, N8 operates as an independent film and television studio based in Bangkok with offices in New York and Los Angeles. The company co-produced the Thai horror film “Home for Rent” with GDH and director Pawo Choing Dorji’s “The Monk and the Gun,” which became Bhutan’s official entry for the 2024 Academy Awards.
MD Pictures, the first film company to be listed on the Indonesia Stock Exchange, has been operating as a content powerhouse in Southeast Asia for over 20 years. The company released “KKN: Curse of the Dancing Village” in 2022, which attracted over 10 million viewers and became Indonesia’s highest-grossing horror film in history. MD acquired and launched MDTV in early 2025.
