EST N8, a U.S.-Asian sales company, has recently acquired the international rights for an upcoming Korean sci-fi thriller film called '30 Minutes.' Directed by William Inhyuk Hyoung and executive produced by Tiger Yeongseop Kim, the film explores the story of a middle-aged man trapped in a time loop, reliving the Christmas Eve of his murder repeatedly. Starring Hong Kyeong In, known for his roles in 'The Great Queen Seondeok' and 'Voice 2,' this intriguing film is currently in production in Korea.
The collaboration between William Inhyuk Hyoung and Tiger Yeongseop Kim is not new, as they previously worked together on the 2023 film 'Chabak - Night of Murder and Romance.' With their combined talent and experience, '30 Minutes' is anticipated to captivate audiences with its unique storyline and cinematic execution.
EST N8, established as a joint venture between U.S.-based EST Studios and Thailand's N8 company, is quickly emerging as a prominent player in the film industry. By acquiring an extensive and multicultural slate of films, the company is making its mark in the market while attending major events and festivals.
Among the titles in EST Studios' sales lineup are 'ASOG,' a multi-award-winning film from the Philippines that premiered at Tribeca 2023, and 'April Tragedy (The Daughters of That Day),' an official documentary selection at Busan. Additionally, they offer 'Tape,' a Cantonese-language thriller based on a Richard Linklater film, as well as Asian horror titles like 'Dead Boys Club' (also known as 'Geng Kubur').
Not limited to genre films, EST Studios also represents other notable works in their sales lineup. 'Surf Nation,' a documentary directed by Emmy-award winner Jessica Q. Chen, and 'Hidden Letters,' a feature documentary shortlisted for the 2023 Academy Awards and premiered at the 2022 Tribeca Film Festival, are among their noteworthy productions.
Jaeson Ma, the founder of EST Studios, expressed his excitement about their involvement in the Asian sci-fi trend. 'Asian sci-fi has become a new trend, and it's our pleasure to be involved,' he stated. 'We're glad to collaborate with the filmmakers we admire again to bring Korean voices to the world.'
The sales agreement for '30 Minutes' was facilitated by Tenten Wei and Sophie Shi of EST N8. The film will be showcased to potential buyers for the first time at the EFM, the rights sales market affiliated with the Berlin Film Festival.
With its intriguing premise, talented cast, and the powerful collaboration between director William Inhyuk Hyoung and executive producer Tiger Yeongseop Kim, '30 Minutes' is a highly anticipated addition to the Korean sci-fi thriller genre. Under the guidance of EST N8, this film is destined to make waves in the international market and bring Korean cinema to a global audience.
