Indonesian media giant MD Entertainment is expanding its production roadmap with a sequel to its 2025 horror release "Pabrik Gula," slated to arrive in early 2028.
Speaking at the Taiwan Creative Content Fest (TCCF) in Taipei, Astrid Wienardi, the studio's head of content licensing and global business, outlined how the company plans to leverage its growing portfolio across theatrical releases, television networks, and international streaming platforms.
The original "Pabrik Gula" established strong commercial footing by selling more than five million tickets domestically before expanding into international distribution across Southeast Asia, Europe, and the United States.
Following the success of its earlier format milestone "Badarawuhi," MD Entertainment is also preparing new Imax projects for 2027.
Among these upcoming releases is a feature adaptation of "Dhot Design," a popular YouTube animated series that regularly draws between eight million and 10 million views per episode.
Overall, the studio aims to deliver between 12 and 13 theatrical titles in 2027, prioritizing horror along with comedy and drama in its movie release schedule.
Cultural grounding remains central to MD Entertainment's strategy.
Wienardi noted that local films capture roughly 65 percent of Indonesia's box office, supported by a population of approximately 280 million and a rich tradition of folklore.
She highlighted that CEO Manoj Punjabi insists on maintaining an authentic local identity in every project, preferring stories rooted in regional heritage over conventional Hollywood-style thrillers.
Beyond the big screen, the studio recently acquired control of free-to-air channel NET TV in a transaction valued at up to $105 million, backed by investment from South Korea's SBS.
MD Entertainment also continues to expand its reach through partnerships with major platforms including Netflix, Prime Video, WeTV, iQIYI, Lionsgate, and CJ Entertainment.
