Indonesia’s Mandela Pictures Launches BN13 Horror Studio with Three Films
Indonesian production company Mandela Pictures has announced an ambitious new film slate and the launch of a genre-focused studio named BN13. This new studio will center on developing horror and genre content rooted in Indonesian folklore and mythology. The Jakarta-based company revealed three feature projects set for release over the next two years: “Bisikan Desa Gringsing — Whisper of Fatimah,” “Rumah Singgah,” and “Lukisan Berlumur Darah.”
“Bisikan Desa Gringsing — Whisper of Fatimah” marks a notable achievement as the first horror co-production between Indonesia, Singapore, and Malaysia. It is also the first regional horror film to employ virtual production technology. Produced by Mandela Pictures in collaboration with OMG Studios Singapore, the film is written and directed by Ivander Tedjasukmana. Principal photography is currently in its final stages. The cast features Aghniny Haque alongside Surya Saputra, Kiki Narendra, Khiva Iskak, and Fatmah Nahdi. Filming took place at OMG Studios’ virtual production facility in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as well as on location in Subang, West Java.
In addition to the horror project, “Rumah Singgah” presents a poignant narrative focused on cancer patients striving to fulfill their bucket list goals. This film is a co-production involving Mandela Pictures, Senara, and Limelight Pictures. Directed by Dyan Sunu Prastowo from a screenplay by Raditya, based on a story by Celvin Jaya Hadi, the film stars Zara Adhisty, Devano Danendra, Ciccio Manassero, Messi Gusti, Dewi Irawan, and Aming.
The third project, “Lukisan Berlumur Darah,” aims to remake the 1988 Indonesian horror cult classic. This film is a collaboration between Mandela Pictures and Relate Films, with Adriyanto Dewo set to write and direct. Production is slated to commence in the second quarter of 2026.
Focus on Cultural Heritage and Technological Innovation
The newly established BN13 studio is dedicated to developing intellectual property grounded in cultural research and local folklore. The studio plans to produce two to three horror and genre projects annually. Among its initial slate are “Istana Ratu Kidul,” “Teror Gaib Satu Malam,” and “Warisan Ilmu Hitam.” “Istana Ratu Kidul” is being developed as a cross-format property that explores the relationship between humans and the Queen of the Southern Sea, merging Javanese mythology with modern storytelling techniques.
“Our new slate and the launch of BN13 demonstrate how Mandela Pictures is committed to fostering collaboration, embracing new technology, and creating narratives that not only entertain but also resonate emotionally with audiences,” stated Manoj Samtani, CEO of Mandela Pictures. He emphasized the studio’s commitment to storytelling that reflects the cultural richness of Indonesia.
BN13 is being developed in partnership with Dienan Silmy and Sonya Laoh, with projects designed to span multiple formats, including feature films, television series, documentaries, and digital content. The focus on horror and genre content aims not only to entertain but also to enrich the global film landscape with unique cultural perspectives.
