A Thai horror feature rooted in the myth of the Nang Mai has become the first Thai project to win Canada’s Frontières Co‑Production Market and is now the lone Thai title in Tokyo’s 2026 Gap‑Financing Market.
Key points
- “Cher” marks the first Thai film to win Frontières’ top prize, highlighting Thailand’s growing presence in international co‑production markets.
- The project’s inclusion in the Tokyo Gap‑Financing Market underscores the expanding interest in Asian genre cinema among global financiers.
- The film’s focus on the Nang Mai myth aims to reinterpret traditional folklore for contemporary audiences.
“Cher,” a horror film that draws on the Nang Mai forest nymphs of Thai folklore, has secured a spot as the only Thai entry in the 2026 Tokyo Gap‑Financing Market, following its top‑prize win at Canada’s Frontières Co‑Production Market earlier this year.
The film is being produced by Benetone Films in partnership with Fearfolks. Director Songsak Mongkolthong, known for “Graveyard Horror” and the series “School Tales,” is helming the project from a screenplay by Patrick Graham, who wrote Netflix’s “Ghoul” and “Betaal.”
From Canadian co‑production market to Tokyo
Rattanawadee “Mim” Wongthong leads the cast alongside Pae Arak and Weir Sukollawat, while cinematographer Vikash Nowlakha – who shot the “Dhurandhar” duology – handles the visuals. Mongkolthong said the story suggests the Nang Mai may have origins that differ from traditional Thai teachings, adding that confronting personal prejudice, anger and hatred is central to the film’s theme.
Benetone Films CEO Rachvin Narula and COO Kulthep Narula noted that the company backed “Cher” from the outset, treating it as their first tentpole project and expressing excitement over its early global recognition. Fearfolks CEO Hans Audric Estialbo thanked BIFAN, Frontières and TIFFCOM for giving Thai cinema a platform, emphasizing that markets like TIFFCOM help build momentum for emerging IPs.
Production team and cast
“Cher” was also selected for the It Project market at the Network of Asian Fantastic Films (NAFF), part of South Korea’s Bucheon International Fantastic Film Festival, before heading to Tokyo. Filming is slated to begin in the first quarter of 2027, with a worldwide release planned for 2028.
Reader questions
What is the Tokyo Gap‑Financing Market?
It is a financing and co‑production platform run as part of TIFFCOM, the content market attached to the Tokyo International Film Festival, where projects can secure funding and distribution partners.
What does winning Frontières mean for a film?
Frontières is a Canadian co‑production market that awards a top prize to projects with strong international sales potential, offering exposure to financiers, distributors and producers.
When is filming for “Cher” scheduled to start?
Production is planned to begin in the first three months of 2027, ahead of a global theatrical release slated for 2028.
Source: variety.com
