Malaysia’s Abnormal Studios has picked up theatrical distribution rights for Malaysia and Brunei to “Mimpi Kita: Castle in the Air,” the science-fiction fantasy feature that recently participated in the NAFF Project Market‘s It Project strand at the Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival.
The company will also serve as the film’s worldwide international sales agent, excluding those two territories, when it launches the title at the Asian Contents & Film Market (ACFM) in Busan this October.
Abnormal Studios, a subsidiary of Westec Media Limited, releases some 100 titles annually across Southeast Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Taiwan, Mongolia and Nepal. Its recent releases include “How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies” and “Twilight of the Warriors: Walled In.” For “Mimpi Kita,” the company will work with the filmmakers on marketing assets and domestic rollout strategy, incorporating Kotodama Lab’s audience-engagement algorithm into the theatrical campaign.
“Mimpi Kita: Castle in the Air” is directed by Arifin Ajib and produced by Anti Gravity Euphoria Sdn Bhd and Da Huang Pictures, the banner run by Malaysian New Wave figure Tan Chui Mui.
“At Abnormal Studios, we always have an eye out for projects that push boundaries and go beyond normal. Kotodama’s strategy for audience building is very impressive and aligns with how we foresee distribution innovating for the future, and we’re excited to work with the Mimpi Kita team to explore how we can bring our expertise to growing an audience in the region,” said Stephanie Lee, director of international business at Abnormal Studios.
“BIFAN NAFF gave us the privilege of being in a room full of people who already know how to move a story like this,” added Foo Hui Yin, executive producer at Kotodama Lab. “Abnormal Studios stands out because they’ve actually connected independent Asian films with the audiences who needed to find them – at home and abroad. As our international sales agent, they’re opening doors we couldn’t open alone, while also helping us bring the film back to Malaysian audiences first. It’s a real testing ground for pairing audience engagement tools with a traditional theatrical release.”
“Developing a story becomes a lot clearer when you actually know who you are making it for,” said director Ajib. “Partnering with Abnormal gives us a real chance to prove that original concepts can find an audience in this market.”
Separate from the Abnormal deal, the “Mimpi Kita” team is staging a fundraising event on Aug. 14 in Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia, in partnership with the Nine Arts Festival. The event targets potential equity funders and will include a pre-event dinner, an art installation incorporating physical pieces from the film, and the launch of the film’s original soundtrack.
