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“Forza,” Marco Balsamo’s soccer drama shot between Bali and Milan, has been picked up for international sale by EST N8, which will take the film to the TIFFCOM market at the Tokyo International Film Festival (October 28-30). Before that, it will have its first public screening on October 25 at the Jakarta Film Week.
Balsamo’s directorial debut is about Bima, an 11-year-old from Bali who hopes that a career as a professional soccer player will provide a better life for his family. A chance connection with a former AC Milan player in the latter part of his career changes the perspective of both.
The cast is led by newcomer Ghazi Alhabsi. Balsamo also appears on screen alongside Tara Sibel Demren, Milan icon Alessandro Costacurta and Atikah Hasiholani, Oka Antara and Tio Pakusadevo, all three winners at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).
Balsamo wrote the screenplay and produced with Demren. Riva Studios created the project and its producers include Ario Sagantoro of “The Raid” franchise. Adhya Pictures has the film slated for a 2027 release in Indonesian theaters.
Interest is strong at home. Both rounds of online tickets for the Jakarta show, CGV Grand Indonesia, sold out within five minutes.
“Forza follows a boy from Bali and a former professional footballer who open new doors for each other, and it connects Indonesia and Italy in a way that only football can,” said Sophie Shi, Head of EST N8 Studios. “This is a film for audiences around the world, a story of family and hope that transcends language and culture. Our mission is to bring daring Asian stories to audiences around the world, and this family film, told through the world’s most popular sport, is made to travel. We are proud to launch ‘Forza’ to buyers at TIFFCOM.”
Shea and Ian Paul Villanueva negotiated the deal for EST N8, with Balsamo and Demren representing Riva Studios. Villanueva, EVP of acquisitions and global distribution, will lead the sale with Kathy Nees, head of sales and US distribution, and Shams Pasha, executive of global sales and marketing.
“We spent years bringing Forza to the screen, and Indonesia was at the heart of it from the beginning,” said Balsamo. “This film is a labor of love and a testament to the perseverance and collaboration behind independent cinema. Sharing a film during Jakarta Film Week is especially important. This is the moment we’ve been waiting for.”
Demren, who founded Riva Studios, said the film was designed for families to watch side-by-side and discuss afterwards. “We hope Bima’s journey reminds audiences how important it is to have someone believe in you, especially when your dreams are out of reach,” he said. “Filling both ticket releases so quickly is an encouraging start. We can’t wait to hear the audience’s reaction.”
Demren and Balsamo founded Riva Studios in 2022 as an independent outfit working on live action, animation and music. In 2024, he bought the French animation house TeamTO. “Forza” is his first live action.
Also in EST N8’s TIFFCOM lineup are “Tame,” a Thai horror title from B-EST Pictures; Dean Colin Martial’s crime thriller Jaguar, set in Manila; “The Master,” winner of the Rezwan Shahriar Summit IFFR Big Screen Award; The Pilgrims, a Korean sci-fi animation from Heo Pyeongkang, which was selected for Annes; and “The Invisible Half,” a J-horror from Nishiyama Masaki.
The company, which merged EST Studios and N8, has offices in Los Angeles and Bangkok and has sold and distributed more than 60 titles in more than 100 territories. His catalog includes “Hidden Letters,” which was shortlisted for an Oscar and nominated for an Emmy; “The Monk and the Gun,” Bhutan’s Oscar entry; The Useful Ghost, which won the top prize at Cannes Critics’ Week; and “Blood Brothers,” which topped Netflix’s global chart.
