Indonesian films gain strong foothold in the UAE

Indonesia has set the pace for the entry of quality Southeast Asian cinematic photoplays into the UAE market.

The move is from the 2019-founded Dubai-headquartered Film Master LLC, which, debuted the commercial showing of Indonesian films on Oct. 30; via the Sept. 2026-released “The Black Ritual: The Demonic Widow” (“Ritual Gaib: Nyai Randasura) at the Roxy Cinemas in City Walk.

Supported by the Indonesian Consulate General-Dubai, which led its community in Dubai and the Northern Emirates to watch the Indonesian-Australian co-produced horror flick, Film Master LLC founder/chief executive officer Gaganpreet Singh, before the audience, said: “We are making history to be the first movie distributor for Indonesia. This is only the beginning.”

The theatre distribution comes 10 years after the consular mission hosted the “Indonesian Movie Week 2016” at the Vox Cinemas in Burjuman Mall. Presented then was the restored 4K-resolution format of the 1956-1957 “Three Sisters” (“Tiga Dara”), black-and-white musical-comedy-drama.

With the first scenes of “The Black Ritual: The Demonic Widow” set in disturbing evening black woods and a pregnant Laras (Dinda Hauw) having convinced husband Radit (Rey Mbayang) to visit long-estranged philandering father Syamsul (Egi Fedly), comes a trail of other spooky scenes. All the actors excellently internalized their roles, without over-acting.

On Oct. 30, the family of third culture kid Aulia Rubiarto from Jakarta were among the families that came in droves. Some in Halloween costumes.

In the UAE for 14 years now, Rubiarto prefers her motherland’s horror movies; watched also over with a multi-ethnic friends.

“I actually grew up watching Indonesian horror movies. These are more dynamic. Many horror movies out there are more in tune with the Western culture. I and my friends get another perspective and another culture when we watch Indonesian horror films. My friends learn a lot about Indonesia."

“It is refreshing that Indonesian movies would already be available in the big cinemas here. Dubai is a community of people from all over the world.”

The new alumna of the Kings College in London where she studied for three years subsequently referred to her experience in the UK and Europe; describing Singh’s initiative to bring in more Indonesian movies as “great.”

“A lot of Asian movies in general are unrepresented, particularly coming from Southeast Asia. In Europe, only a few know about Southeast Asia. If they see you, they think you are East Asian.”

“I do not know if there are many Filipino movies shown here. It would be great if movies from the Philippines and Malaysia would also be brought here. Obviously the Western movies dominate. Really important that Southeast Asia is represented. Our great movies would let people from other countries know about us.”

Singh who has “distributed Latin American movies” told Gulf Today that his interest in bringing in Indonesian movies came from his long-time observation that despite “many Indonesians here,” nothing from Indonesia has been shown commercially.

“By God’s grace I was able to bring ‘The Black Ritual: The Demon Widow,” he related.

He had gone through seven Indonesian trailers of “action to thriller to drama, and horror. Interesting with lots of potentials” to score at the box office.

“The world must see them. Trust me. Indonesian movies and producers have lots of scope. They are doing a great job,” said Singh, adding that the entry of Malaysian films are already “on process.”

“I know that Filipinos spend a lot in this form of entertainment. So I am also looking at getting movies from the Philippines.”

According to Indonesian Consul General Denny Lesmana, Film Master-Execution & Operations head Jyoti Sharma reached out to him on June 30, 2026.

“The Emirati and expatriate communities shall benefit. Greater access to Indonesian movies creates opportunities for shared experiences, cultural understanding and appreciation. It connects audiences while positioning the UAE as a gateway for Southeast Asian storytelling.”

There are approximately over 1.3 million Southeast Asians in the UAE with the Filipinos (800,000), Indonesians (91,000) and Malaysians (64,000) as the largest.