Toonz Media Group has announced an ambitious new addition to its international content lineup with ‘A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts’ an animated horror feature that fuses elements of Chinese cuisine, folklore, and supernatural storytelling.

The film, adapted from the acclaimed book by Ying Chang Compestine, will be introduced for global presales at AFM 2025, marking a significant step in Toonz’s continued expansion into high-concept global entertainment.

According to a press release issued by Toonz Media Group, ‘A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts’ is produced by Singapore-based studio Robot Playground Media, led by its co-founder and filmmaker Ervin Han. The 90-minute anthology feature is structured around four standalone yet interconnected tales — each inspired by an iconic Chinese dish and tied together through a spectral chef who presides over a mysterious, otherworldly restaurant. The film’s narrative combines the macabre, the poetic, and the profound, exploring human emotions such as guilt, greed, and ancestral ties through an eerie culinary lens.

“A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts takes the global appetite for horror and gives it an unmistakably Asian taste — four stories, one haunting experience, and a franchise that’s just beginning,” said Ervin Han, the film’s creator and director.

Blending traditional folklore with a modern animation style, the project brings together a team of accomplished animation talents from Indonesia, Malaysia, and Taiwan. The collaboration aims to enhance the film’s rich Asian texture and global appeal while showcasing Robot Playground Media’s distinct visual sensibility.

P. Jayakumar, CEO of Toonz Media Group, emphasized the cultural significance of the project. “I am a firm believer that Asian stories should travel the world. We have a rich culture and a deep tradition of storytelling, and its essence is truly universal. As the world becomes more cosmopolitan and interest grows in understanding diverse traditions, this film will be a real treat — not just for animation lovers, but for fans of horror, thrillers, and cinema in general,” he said.
With its innovative blend of food symbolism, supernatural horror, and artistic craftsmanship, A Banquet for the Hungry Ghosts aims to offer a cinematic experience that resonates with audiences across the world. Designed to bridge Eastern mythology and Western storytelling sensibilities, the feature is positioned as a genre-defining work that will expand Toonz’s creative footprint in global animation and horror entertainment.