Thai Horror Film Cher Joins Tokyo Market Lineup
The supernatural project based on Thai folklore secures a spot in the 2026 Tokyo Gap-Financing Market.
Updated on Oct. 28, 2026 in Foreign
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The Thai horror film Cher has been selected for the 2026 Tokyo Gap-Financing Market, held as part of TIFFCOM. The movie, which draws inspiration from Thai Nang Mai folklore, continues its momentum following a major award win earlier this year.
Why it matters
The inclusion of this project in a major international financing market highlights the growing global profile of Southeast Asian genre cinema. Securing a spot in these markets is a critical step for independent productions to attract the necessary capital for international distribution.
The production has earned previous selections at the NAFF It Project market and claimed a top prize at the Frontières Co-Production Market in Canada. These international recognitions serve as key indicators of market potential for the upcoming feature.
The players
Songsak Mongkolthong
He is the director of the upcoming Thai horror production Cher.
Benetone Films
This is a production company serving as one of the lead entities developing the film.
Fearfolks
This is a production company collaborating on the development of the Thai horror project.
Rattanawadee Wongthong
She is a lead actress cast in the film Cher.
Weir Sukollawat
He is a prominent actor featured in the film's cast.
The details
Directed by Songsak Mongkolthong with a screenplay by Patrick Graham, the film is produced by Benetone Films and Fearfolks. The project features cinematography by Vikash Nowlakha and stars Rattanawadee Wongthong, Pae Arak, and Weir Sukollawat.
Timeline
July 2026: Cher won a top prize at the Frontières Co-Production Market.
October 2026: The film joined the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market lineup.
Q1 2027: Principal filming is scheduled to begin.
2028: The film is planned for a global release.
Industry Dynamics
The film follows the trajectory of high-profile genre projects that leverage a succession of international market selections to secure funding. This strategy mirrors a broader industry trend where independent studios use specialized horror circuits to build global theatrical demand.
International genre fans can expect the film to reach global theatrical or streaming markets by 2028. The current financing stage ensures the project remains on track for production, which will eventually determine its availability in international territories.
The takeaway
Filmmakers increasingly utilize international gap-financing markets to bridge the gap between creative development and production capital. This process highlights how regional folklore and genre stories can successfully transition into high-value global export products.
Further reading
Explore more developments in the Foreign film sector.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Variety.
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