Full Breakdown
Zona Merah: Dead City Prepares for Cannes
4/29/2026, 1:15:48 PM
Cannes Launch
Barunson E&A, the Seoul-based sales firm behind Oscar-winner *Parasite*, will represent Indonesian zombie feature *Zona Merah: Dead City* at Cannes Film Market. Screenplay Films produced the film, which will be shown to buyers in May 2026 with Barunson’s *Inherit*.
Series Impact
The feature adapts the original *Zona Merah* series, which premiered on Vidio, Emtek Group’s streaming platform. The series logged over 34 million views and drove a rise in Vidio subscriptions, a notable success for zombie content in Indonesia.
Team
Co-directors Sidharta Tata and Fajar Martha Santosa, who created the series, return to helm the film; Tata wrote the screenplay and Santosa oversees story continuity. Screenplay Films’ CEO Wicky V. Olindo and Barunson E&A’s CEO Choi Yoonhee lead production and sales. Most of the original cast—Aghniny Haque, Andri Mashadi, Maria Theodore, Devano, Lukman Sardi—return, joined by actors Luna Maya and Bryan Domani.
Schedule
Principal photography began on 7 April 2026 and will wrap in May. The story adds a second city and a new “red zone” as Maya continues searching for her brother Adi.
Metrics
Key metrics: series viewership >34 million on Vidio; Vidio subscriber surge reported. *Ghost in the Cell* neared two million admissions after its Berlin debut.
Statements
Olindo said the series proved success, making a feature a natural step; Choi said Cannes offers a suitable stage to launch the sequel globally.
Opposition
The sources do not present any public criticism or opposition to the film’s production, distribution strategy, or thematic content.
Conflicts
No contradictory figures appear in the available sources. Details such as the film’s exact release date, distribution agreements beyond Cannes, and audience reception forecasts remain unspecified.
Quotes
> “Zona Merah showed us what’s possible when a story truly connects with its audience – the kind of connection that extends beyond a single format. Expanding it into a feature felt like a natural progression, both commercially and creatively. ‘Zona Merah: Dead City’ builds on everything the series established, and we’re pleased to have Barunson E&A with us on this next step.” — Wicky V. Olindo, CEO, Screenplay Films
> “Indonesia’s genre landscape is at an inflection point – audiences are becoming more adventurous, creators are pushing boundaries, and stories from this market are increasingly resonating globally. ‘Zona Merah’ was an early signal of that shift, and ‘Zona Merah: Dead City’ takes it further. Cannes will be the right place to introduce it to the world.” — Choi Yoonhee, CEO, Barunson E&A
Distribution
Future Distribution: Following its Cannes market presentation, *Zona Merah: Dead City* will seek territorial sales and distribution partnerships. Barunson E&A plans to leverage the exposure to secure releases across key international territories, expanding the reach of Indonesian genre cinema.
