‘A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts’, the animated feature horror anthology jointly developed by studios across Singapore, Taiwan and Ireland, has expanded its co-production slate to Indonesia with the entry of Kucing Hitam, the country’s biggest independent creative producing and IP management company. The announcement was made at this year’s Asia TV Forum (ATF) in Singapore.

According to a Toonz Media Group press release, Kucing Hitam now joins Robot Playground Media (Singapore), Xanthus Animation (Taiwan) and Toonz Media Group (Ireland/India) in co-producing and managing international sales for the 90-minute project. Adapted from Chinese-American author Ying Chang Compestine’s acclaimed book of the same name, the anthology features four standalone yet interconnected stories rooted in Asian folklore and food culture.

Currently in early-stage production, ‘A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts’ is one of the region’s most anticipated titles. The project recently won the NMEA Award at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) 2025, which recognises outstanding cross-sector collaborations across industries, technologies and cultures.

Kucing Hitam, founded in 2019, has built a formidable slate of Southeast Asian horror and genre properties. Its portfolio includes ‘KKN di Desa Penari’, Indonesia’s highest-grossing horror film released by MD Pictures, and a range of IP cultivated through collaborations with prominent grassroots creators such as Prasodjo Muhammad, Nessie Judge and Teguh Faluvie. Since 2024, the company has expanded into full-scale production, developing original films and proprietary IP.

Charles Johannes, founder of Kucing Hitam, said the project resonates deeply with Indonesia’s new wave of genre cinema. “This project speaks to us. The story has the same cultural spirit that drives Indonesia’s new wave of genre films—strong traditions, modern concerns, and the ability to reach audiences everywhere. We’re excited to work with an international team to grow this IP and bring it to viewers far beyond where it began.”

The Kucing Hitam team, whose collective projects account for more than USD 20 million in box-office revenue, will helm the Indonesian elements of production alongside Jakarta-based LMN VFX and Indonesia-Singapore investment firm Goshen Group.

Mediacorp—Singapore’s largest content creator—has supported the project since its earliest stages, backing its creative development during its inception as a television pilot. Angeline Poh, Chief Customer and Corporate Development Officer at Mediacorp, said the expansion marks a gratifying milestone. “It is inspiring to see how far the team has taken the project, and we look forward to celebrating their continued success.”

Telegael, the multi-Emmy® and IFTA award-winning Irish studio within the Toonz Media Group, has also joined to lead post-production. The collaboration brings together European animation craftsmanship and Asian storytelling traditions, strengthening the film’s international appeal.
Ervin Han, co-founder of Robot Playground Media and creator of the project, said Kucing Hitam’s involvement enriches the film’s cultural roots. “Their instincts for Asian horror make them an invaluable partner as we deepen the world-building and push the project towards global audiences.”

Producer Justin Deimen said the anthology’s potential mirrors the scalability of major Southeast Asian horror franchises. “We see A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts as supremely commercial across the region, with the ability to extend into different formats and attract broad consumer engagement.”

Goshen Group Managing Director Allen Jordan noted that the film’s themes align strongly with Indonesian audience preferences. “The Indonesian audience will connect immediately with the film because it touches on two of the country’s great passions—food and horror.”

Slated for a theatrical release in early 2027, ‘A Banquet for Hungry Ghosts’ continues to build global momentum. Following its showcase at AFM, the project is now positioned firmly in Asia—its creative heartland—as Toonz and Robot Playground drive further presales across the region.