KUALA LUMPUR: Local horror movie Don't Look At The Demon will be screened in over 20 countries including Vietnam, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, Mongolia, Cambodia, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and Poland.
Helmed by Malaysian film director and producer Brando Lee, the movie is expected to be screened in more than 250 cinemas in North America alone.
"With the global release of Don't Look At The Demon I hope to inspire local producers to reach for the stars and keep pushing forward to represent Malaysia on an international scale," said Lee during a press conference after a screening of the movie at Dadi Cinemas in Pavilion KL, here tonight.
He added: "The release of this film is not just my success but it is the success of all of us in Malaysia.
"I am extremely proud to set this benchmark and bring pride to our country.
"The film will forever be an emblem to remind Malaysia that no goal is too big if you set your minds to it."
Don't Look At The Demon follows the exploits of a group of American paranormal TV investigators and an emotionally damaged spiritual medium who travel to Fraser's Hill in Malaysia to investigate supernatural occurrences in a house built in the early 1970s.
But as the dark secrets of the house come to light, they must deal with possessions and a malevolent entity that may have a connection to the medium's own mysterious past.
The 93-minute movie, which features traditional Asian folklore from an American perspective, stars artistes from Hollywood, Thailand and Vietnam including Fiona Dourif, Harris Dickinson, Randy Wayne, Jordan Belfi, Malin Crepin, William Miller, Phan Nhu Thao and Konglar Kanchanahoti.
The event was also attended by Deputy Communications and Multimedia Minister Datuk Zahidi Zainul Abidin and some of the cast members, including Swedish actress Crepin.
"This film provides an opportunity for people from other countries to learn and understand the cultures, traditions and tourist attractions in Malaysia, which in turn could contribute to the improvement of the tourism sector, " said Zahidi.
"Now that we have entered the American market, we can strive to reach new heights by aiming to obtain awards such as the Oscars, Emmys and so forth, in the near future."
Produced by Barnstorm Entertainment and Bliss Pictures, Don't Look At The Demon is set to premiere in cinemas nationwide on Oct 6.