Indonesian production powerhouse MD Pictures is betting big on remakes and franchise fare for 2026, unveiling a slate anchored by an adaptation of Majid Majidi’s Oscar-nominated Iranian drama “Children of Heaven” and the final chapter of its popular “Danur” horror franchise at the JAFF Market.
Director Hanung Bramantyo is helming the “Children of Heaven” remake, with young actors Jared Ali and Humaira Jahra playing the siblings Ali and Zahra. Bramantyo led a talk at the MD booth titled “Children of Heaven: The Art of Film Adaptation.”
The company also presented “Danur the Last Chapter,” directed by Awi Suryadi, as the concluding installment of the “Danur” franchise. Cast member Zee Asadel participated in a meet-and-greet with festival attendees.
MD Pictures’ 2026 lineup includes a Korean horror remake, adapting “Gonjiam: Haunted Asylum” (2018) as “Rumah Sakit Angker Korea,” directed by Anggy Umbara. The cast features Arbani Yasiz, Elang El Gibran, Saputra Kori and YouTuber Jang Hansol.
Director Kimo Stamboel, who led a creative talk about “Janur Ireng: Sewu Dino the Sequel” (releasing Dec. 24) with cast member Gisellma, will return to helm “Ivanna 2,” another entry in the “Danur Universe” franchise.
“Our ambition doesn’t stop here – MD can expand internationally even further, proving we are the biggest content powerhouse in Southeast Asia,” said Manoj Punjabi, CEO and founder of MD Entertainment. “Whatever good films exist, we will fight for them.”
The company also hosted a panel titled “Set, Space, Story: When Space Tells a Story with TACO,” featuring TACO Group, an Indonesian supplier of interior-exterior materials for film production. MD Entertainment opened collaboration opportunities for creative projects at the market.
MD Pictures released “KKN di Desa Penari” in 2022, which became Indonesia‘s highest-grossing horror film with over 10 million admissions. The company acquired and launched streaming platform MDTV in early 2025.
The second edition of JAFF Market runs Nov. 29-Dec. 1 at Jogja Expo Center in Yogyakarta.
