Global Flicks: Netflix announces 20% Boost in APAC Viewership, The Seven Launches First Film 'Baka’s Identity',

Africa: Akinola Davies Jr.'s debut feature, My Father's Shadow, will premiere in Cannes' Un Certain Regard section. Starring Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísù (Slow Horses), this semi-autobiographical drama follows brothers Remi and Akin as they spend a rare day with their estranged father in Lagos. Written by Davies Jr. and his brother Wale, the film captures the boys' wide-eyed discovery of the sprawling city while their father struggles to navigate its challenges. Their journey unfolds during Nigeria's tense 1993 presidential election, casting doubt on whether they'll make it home. 

Asia: Yandang: The Snitch hits U.S. and Canadian theaters on Friday, April 25, 2025, distributed by Well Go USA. Already a success in South Korea, it earned over $4 million in its opening weekend. The film stars Kang Ha-neul (Squid Game Season 2), Yoo Hae-jin (Exhuma), and Park Hae-joon (When Life Gives You Tangerines). Kang plays Kang-suoo, a street-smart hustler framed for a crime and forced to work as an informant for a ruthless prosecutor (Yoo). But he soon discovers he’s trapped in a dangerous web of drug cartels and government corruption.

Japanese production company The Seven is launching its first theatrical film, Baka’s Identity (A Fool’s Identity), a crime thriller hitting Japanese theaters on Friday, October 24, 2025. The movie brings together Yu Yu Hakusho producer Akira Morii, actors Takumi Kitamura and Go Ayano, and newcomer Yuta Hayashi. Directed by Koto Nagata, a protégée of renowned filmmaker Shunji Iwai, the film follows three young men in a fast-paced thriller that dives into Japan’s criminal underworld over three chaotic days. Adapted from Jun Nishio’s award-winning 2019 novel, the script was written by Kosuke Mukai, a Japan Academy Award winner. The plot centers on Takuya and Mamoru (Hayashi), two struggling men involved in identity theft, who turn to their underworld mentor Kajitani (Ayano) attempting to leave crime behind.

Netflix is boosting its Southeast Asian content with two zombie horror films set for 2025. At Tokyo’s APAC showcase, Netflix previewed The Elixir, an Indonesian film by director Kimo Stamboel about a family escaping a zombie outbreak linked to a Javanese herbal remedy. Meanwhile, Ziam is a Thai film directed by Kulp Kaljareuk and follows a Muay Thai fighter in a dystopian future battling zombies to rescue his girlfriend. The studio is using advanced 3D VFX for the first time in Southeast Asia, enhancing real-time filming. 

Netflix’s boost in content coincides with their recent report that their regional film views have jumped 20% this year. At their Tokyo showcase, the streamer highlighted its mix of original productions and licensed hits and boosting local talent through training programs. Initiatives include teaming up with Korea's film academy, launching a new VFX school, and offering practical training in Thailand and Indonesia. The strategy strengthens both Netflix's catalog and the region's film industry.

The Sacrifice, a new psychological horror film starring Lovi Poe, has started filming in the Philippines. Directed by Prime Cruz, the movie features a cast including Lav Diaz, Timothy Granaderos, and Enchong Dee. The story follows travel vloggers who uncover dark village rituals and a chilling legend. Produced by Poe’s C’est Lovi Productions and Kind Hearts Entertainment, it’s being shot entirely on location. Poe, fresh from Guilty Pleasure, leads the cast alongside Granaderos (13 Reasons Why) and Dee (GomBurZa).

GKIDS will produce and distribute 100 Meters, Kenji Iwaisawa’s upcoming anime film based on Uoto’s manga. After debuting in Japan on September 19, it hits North American theaters in October with both Japanese and English versions. The story follows Togashi, a talented runner who inspires his less-skilled friend Komiya, only to face him as rivals years later. Produced by Rock’n Roll Mountain, Iwaisawa is joined by character designer and executive animation director Keisuke Kojima and art director Keikankun Yamaguchi, featuring a team behind hits like Tokyo Revengers and Jujutsu Kaisen, such as writer Yasuyuki Muto and composer Hiroaki Tsutsumi.

YRF announced Mardaani 3, starring Rani Mukerji as tough cop Shivani Shivaji Roy, will release February 27, 2026—just before Holi, fitting the film's theme of good versus evil. Directed by War 2 associate Abhiraj Minawala, the script comes from The Railway Men writer Aayush Gupta. Mukerji calls the sequel "dark, deadly, and brutal," continuing the decade-old franchise—India's only major female-led cop series. The strategic timing capitalizes on Holi's symbolism while maintaining the series' cult following.

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Europe: Berlin sales agent M-Appeal has acquired global rights to Drunken Noodles, the new film from Argentine director Lucio Castro. The English-language erotic drama with surreal twists will debut at Cannes’ ACID lineup in May 2025. The story follows Adnan, a young art student apartment-sitting in New York, whose internship at a gallery leads to unexpected encounters with an older artist from his past. Starring Laith Khalifeh, the film blends reality and fantasy through a series of artistic and sexual awakenings. This is Castro’s third feature, following End of the Century (2019) and After This Death, which premiered at this year’s Berlinale. 

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Latin America: Filmmakers Sebastián González and Amílcar Infante's first feature-length documentary, Si vas para Chile (Unwelcomed), was picked up by specialty distributor Jambika Docs for global release. The film will debut in Hot Docs' International Competition category. The documentary explores Latin America's massive migration crisis through Chile's stunning landscapes - from the towering Andean peaks to the barren Atacama Desert and quiet coastal villages. It focuses on Chile's northern regions, where violent protests against immigrants erupted. With nearly 8 million Venezuelans forced from their homeland, the film exposes growing hostility, cultural friction, and extremist views in Chile's border towns.

Habanero Film Sales acquired global rights to This Island, the first feature from directors Lorraine Jones Molina and Cristian Carretero, ahead of its 2025 Tribeca Film Festival premiere (June 4-15). The Rio-based distributor's CEO Alfredo Calviño closed the deal with the filmmaker-producer duo. Set in coastal Puerto Rico, the coming-of-age story follows teenager Bebo (Zion Ortíz),  who turns to crime with his brother until a botched deal forces him to flee with wealthy runaway Lola (Fabiola Brown). As they escape through the island's decaying heartland, escalating violence pushes Bebo to face his demons and decide between redemption or exile. The film offers an intimate look at Puerto Rican identity, survival, and colonial impacts through their journey.

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Middle East: Saudi star Ibrahim Al Hajjaj's new comedy Esaaf (Ambulance), directed by British filmmaker Colin Teague (Doctor Who), is getting a sequel with the original team. The film made history as IMAX's first Arabic feature release and follows Al Hajjaj's hit Sattar. This comedy follows two bickering paramedics who find 2 million riyals ($533,300) and get caught up in a dangerous kidnapping scheme. Produced by Al Hajjaj’s House of Comedy, Black Light Operations, and ex-MBC Studios head Peter Smith, the film was written by Alberto Lopez (Rupture).