“Forza,” Marco Balsamo’s soccer drama shot between Bali and Milan, has been picked up for international sales by EST N8, which will take the film to the Tokyo International Film Festival‘s TIFFCOM market (Oct. 28–30). Before that, it gets its first public screening on Oct. 25 at Jakarta Film Week.
Balsamo’s first feature as director centers on Bima, an 11-year-old from Bali who hopes a career as a pro footballer will give his family a better life. A chance bond with a former AC Milan player in the last stretch of his career changes the outlook for both of them.
Newcomer Ghazi Alhabsyi heads the cast. Balsamo also appears on screen, alongside Tara Sibel Demren, AC Milan icon Alessandro Costacurta and Atiqah Hasiholan, Oka Antara and Tio Pakusadewo, all three winners at the Indonesian Film Festival (FFI).
Balsamo wrote the script and produced with Demren. Riva Studios originated the project, and its producers include Ario Sagantoro of “The Raid” franchise. Adhya Pictures has the film’s Indonesian theatrical release, set for 2027.
Interest at home is strong. Both rounds of online tickets for the Jakarta screening, at CGV Grand Indonesia, sold out inside five minutes.
“‘Forza’ follows a boy from Bali and a former pro footballer who open new doors for each other, and it bridges Indonesia and Italy the way only football can,” said Sophie Shi, head of studios at EST N8. “It’s a film for audiences around the world, with a story of family and hope that transcends language and culture. Our mission is to take bold Asian stories to audiences worldwide, and a family film told through the world’s most popular sport is built to travel. We’re proud to launch ‘Forza’ to buyers at TIFFCOM.”
Shi and Jan Paul Villanueva negotiated the deal for EST N8, with Balsamo and Demren representing Riva Studios. Villanueva, EVP of acquisitions and global distribution, will lead sales with Cathy Ni, head of sales and U.S. distribution, and Shams Pasha, global sales and marketing executive.
“We’ve spent years bringing ‘Forza’ to the screen, and Indonesia has been at the heart of it from the beginning,” Balsamo said. “This film is a labor of love and a testament to the perseverance and collaboration behind independent filmmaking. Sharing the film at Jakarta Film Week is especially meaningful. It’s a moment we’ve been looking forward to for a long time.”
Demren, who co-founded Riva Studios, said the film was designed for families to watch side by side and discuss afterward. “We hope Bima’s journey reminds audiences how much it matters to have someone believe in you, especially when your dreams feel out of reach,” she said. “Seeing both ticket releases fill so quickly is an encouraging start. We’re looking forward to hearing audiences’ reactions.”
Demren and Balsamo set up Riva Studios in 2022 as an independent outfit working in live action, animation and music. In 2024 it bought French animation house TeamTO. “Forza” is its first live-action feature.
Also on EST N8’s TIFFCOM lineup are “Tame,” a Thai horror title from B-EST Pictures; Dean Colin Marcial’s crime thriller “Jaguar,” set in Manila; “Master,” Rezwan Shahriar Sumit’s winner of IFFR’s Big Screen Award; “Pilgrims,” a Korean sci-fi animation from Heo Pyoungkang that was selected for Annecy; and “The Invisible Half,” a J-horror from Nishiyama Masaki.
The company, which brought together EST Studios and N8, has offices in Los Angeles and Bangkok and has sold and distributed more than 60 titles across over 100 territories. Its catalog includes “Hidden Letters,” which was shortlisted for the Oscars and nominated for an Emmy; “The Monk and the Gun,” Bhutan’s Oscar entry; “A Useful Ghost,” which won the Grand Prize at Cannes Critics’ Week; and “Blood Brothers,” which topped Netflix’s global chart.