‘Kucing Hitam joins as Co-Producer for Indonesian Horror Film ‘A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts’ (EXCLUSIVE)

The Singapore-based animated horror anthology A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts has expanded its international co-production lineup with Indonesias prominent creative company, Kucing Hitam, according to announcements at the Asia TV Forum. The studio, known for its expertise in genre storytelling, will collaborate alongside Robot Playground Media (Singapore), Xanthus Animation (Taiwan), and Toonz Media Group (Ireland/India) to co-produce and manage sales for the feature.

The film adapts the celebrated book by Chinese-American chef and author Ying Chang Compestine, transforming it into four standalone yet interconnected stories that combine horror with culinary themes.

Currently in early production, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts recently received the NMEA Award at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest, recognizing its potential to bridge industries, technologies, and cultures. Kucing Hitam, established in 2019, has produced notable Southeast Asian genre content, including Indonesias top-grossing horror film KKN di Desa Penari, and works with influential local creators such as Prasodjo Muhammad, Nessie Judge, and Teguh Faluvie. The studio formally entered film production in 2024.

Charles Johannes, founder of Kucing Hitam, said, This story resonates with our studio because it captures the same cultural energy driving Indonesias new wave of genre films rich traditions, contemporary themes, and broad audience appeal. We are thrilled to collaborate with an international team to expand this property globally.

Kucing Hitam has contributed to films that collectively earned over $20 million at the box office. The studio will be joined by LMN VFX in Jakarta and investment firm Goshen Group to produce the Indonesian-set segments. Mediacorp, Singapores national media company, has supported the project since its early conception as a TV pilot, providing creative development funding.

Angeline Poh of Mediacorp commented, It is exciting to see a project grow from a pilot initiative into a feature film with regional partners and international ambitions. The teams progress is impressive, and we look forward to their continued success.

Irish studio Telegael, part of Toonz Media Group, will lead post-production, blending Eastern storytelling with European technical expertise. Ervin Han, co-founder of Robot Playground Media, noted, Kucing Hitams involvement strengthens the foundation of this anthology. Their experience in Asian horror is invaluable for deepening the world-building and expanding the project to a global audience.

Producer Justin Deimen emphasized the projects franchise potential, stating, With Kucing Hitams expertise, A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts can grow into a scalable, commercially appealing property across Southeast Asia, suitable for multiple formats and brand collaborations.

Allen Jordan from Goshen Group added, The combination of horror and food will immediately resonate with Indonesian audiences, making this project a natural fit for our market.

The film is scheduled for theatrical release in early 2027. After representation at the American Film Market by Toonz Media Group, presales efforts will continue across Asia through Toonz and Robot Playground. Robot Playground Media, founded in 2014 in Singapore, is recognized for its Southeast Asian cultural perspective and cross-border collaborations.

Author: Harper Simmons