Cross-border soccer feature "Forza" has secured an international sales representation deal with EST N8 ahead of its presentation to global film buyers at the Tokyo International Film Festival's TIFFCOM market. The movie, which marks the feature directorial debut of Marco Balsamo, is set to hold its initial public screening at Jakarta Film Week on Oct. 25 before sales meetings begin at TIFFCOM running Oct. 28–30.
A Cross-Continental Story Rooted in Sport
Filmed across locations in Bali and Milan, "Forza" centers on the journey of Bima, an 11-year-old boy from Bali striving to secure a better financial future for his family through a professional soccer career. The narrative tracks his unexpected connection with a veteran Italian player nearing the conclusion of his tenure with AC Milan, a partnership that fundamentally shifts both of their trajectories.
Newcomer Ghazi Alhabsyi leads the cast as Bima. The ensemble also features director Balsamo alongside Tara Sibel Demren and Italian soccer star Alessandro Costacurta. Rounding out the primary cast are acclaimed Indonesian performers Atiqah Hasiholan, Oka Antara, and Tio Pakusadewo, all three of whom have previously won honors at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).
Behind the Scenes at Riva Studios and Domestic Reception
The feature represents the inaugural live-action film project from Riva Studios, an independent entertainment company established in 2022 by Balsamo and Demren focusing on live-action, animation, and music. In 2024, the studio expanded its footprint by acquiring French animation entity TeamTO. Balsamo penned the screenplay for "Forza" and produced the feature alongside Demren, with Ario Sagantoro, recognized for his work on "The Raid" franchise, also among the film's production team.
Initial domestic demand in Indonesia showed swift traction prior to its festival outing. Online ticket inventory for both screening rounds at Jakarta Film Week, hosted at CGV Grand Indonesia, sold out within five minutes. For its broad domestic commercial debut, Adhya Pictures holds the Indonesian theatrical rights, scheduling the picture to arrive in local theaters in 2027.
EST N8 Takes Global Distribution Helm at TIFFCOM
The agreement bringing "Forza" to worldwide markets was arranged between Sophie Shi and Jan Paul Villanueva of EST N8, and Balsamo and Demren representing Riva Studios. Villanueva, serving as executive vice president of acquisitions and global distribution, will steer the market sales alongside Cathy Ni, head of sales and U.S. distribution, and Shams Pasha, global sales and marketing executive.
EST N8 operates from dual headquarters in Los Angeles and Bangkok, maintaining a distribution portfolio encompassing more than 60 titles across over 100 international territories. Its established sales roster includes acclaimed projects such as the Oscar-shortlisted and Emmy-nominated documentary "Hidden Letters," Bhutanese Oscar entry "The Monk and the Gun," Cannes Critics' Week Grand Prize recipient "A Useful Ghost," and the high-charting Netflix release "Blood Brothers."
At the TIFFCOM market, EST N8 will offer "Forza" alongside an eclectic roster of Asian projects. The company's market slate also features B-EST Pictures' Thai horror production "Tame," Dean Colin Marcial's Manila-based crime thriller "Jaguar," Rezwan Shahriar Sumit's "Master" (winner of the Big Screen Award at the International Film Festival Rotterdam), Heo Pyoungkang's Annecy-selected Korean sci-fi animation "Pilgrims," and Nishiyama Masaki's Japanese horror film "The Invisible Half."
With TIFFCOM running from Oct. 28 to Oct. 30, the distribution team will focus on locking down international territory rights following the film's Jakarta premiere, setting the stage for wider theatrical rollouts ahead of its 2027 release window.
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Source: Variety
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