Visinema Studios Expands Animated Feature Film Jumbo to 121 Italian Cinemas as Global Distribution Reaches 27 Countries

Indonesian animation continues to make unprecedented strides on the global stage as Visinema Studios officially expands the theatrical release of its hit animated feature film, Jumbo, into Italy. Marking yet another milestone in the studio’s ambitious international distribution strategy, Jumbo is now screening across 121 cinemas spread across 18 distinct regions throughout the European nation. Tailored specifically for the Italian-speaking audience, the film has been retitled and is being distributed under the localized title JUMBO: La voce di Don, which translates to Jumbo: Don’s Voice.

According to official statements released by Visinema Studios, the nationwide rollout in Italy encompasses a robust mix of major commercial theater chains and independent arthouse cinemas. Screenings have been successfully secured in key cultural and economic hubs, most notably Milan, Rome, and Palermo, allowing Italian families, animation enthusiasts, and general moviegoers to experience contemporary Indonesian cinematic storytelling on the big screen.

This latest European expansion solidifies Italy as the 27th foreign country to officially theatricalize the animated film outside of Indonesia. Furthermore, the global footprint of Jumbo extends even further when considering total sales, with international distribution rights currently secured across 40 countries worldwide. This achievement represents a monumental leap forward for the Indonesian animation industry, which has historically focused primarily on domestic consumption rather than competing on the demanding global theatrical circuit.

A Rigorous Seven-Year Production Journey

The remarkable international trajectory of Jumbo is rooted in an intensive, long-term creative development process. The film was meticulously crafted over a period of more than seven years, requiring immense dedication, technical precision, and artistic vision. Behind this monumental production stands a collaborative force of over 400 Indonesian creators, animators, artists, and technical experts who poured their expertise into bringing the world of Don and his companions to life.

The narrative core of Jumbo revolves around universal themes that resonate deeply with audiences regardless of geography. The film follows the inspiring journey of a young boy named Don, navigating the complexities of childhood alongside his loyal friends. Through its vibrant animation and heartfelt storytelling, Jumbo explores timeless motifs such as the beauty of true friendship, the pursuit of personal dreams, the cultivation of inner courage, and the enduring strength of family relationships. By anchoring the narrative in these universally understood human experiences, the creative team at Visinema Studios managed to transcend cultural boundaries, ensuring that the emotional beats of the story translate seamlessly from Indonesian culture to diverse international audiences.

Global Footprint and International Localization Strategy

Before making its strategic entry into the Italian market, Jumbo had already carved out a significant presence across multiple continents. The animated feature has traveled across Asia, Latin America, and Eurasia, steadily building a massive international audience following its record-breaking theatrical run in Indonesia, where it surpassed 10,2 million admissions to become a monumental domestic cultural phenomenon.

In the Asian market, the film found eager audiences in countries such as South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, and Mongolia. The Latin American market represents one of the film’s largest overseas footprints, with Jumbo successfully securing theatrical distribution across 15 nations, including major markets like Mexico, Colombia, Argentina, Chile, and Peru. Meanwhile, the film’s reach into Eurasia spans across Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan, showcasing the incredible versatility of its distribution network.

To ensure deep cultural resonance in these diverse territories, Visinema Studios adopted a sophisticated international localization strategy. Beyond mere subtitle translations, the studio invested in producing localized versions of the film’s original soundtrack (OST). Audiences in South Korea, Spain, and Mandarin-speaking Taiwan were treated to theme songs adapted specifically into their native languages, a move that significantly enhanced viewer engagement and helped bridge cultural gaps between the Indonesian creators and international moviegoers.

Leadership Insights on Universal Storytelling

Reflecting on the unprecedented global expansion of the studio’s flagship animated property, Group President and CEO of Visinema Studios, Herry B. Salim, emphasized that the international success of Jumbo is a direct result of intentional narrative design focused on universal human values.

"For us, the strength of a story lies in how it is delivered and the values that can be felt by its audience," Herry stated in an official company release. "We built Jumbo with a foundation of storytelling that possesses universal values, thereby establishing an emotional connection and a resonance that cuts across generations and cultures."

Herry further elaborated on the studio’s overarching vision for the film’s international journey. He noted that the ultimate goal of the global rollout is not merely commercial expansion, but a genuine cultural exchange that introduces Indonesian characters and narratives to viewers from vastly different cultural backgrounds.

"We believe that a good story will find its place in the hearts of different audiences of various ages and cultural backgrounds," Herry added. "We hope that more and more viewers will get to know Jumbo, feel a sense of closeness to its story, and continue to carry its characters within their memories."

Strategic Implications for the Indonesian Animation Industry

The international trajectory of Jumbo serves as a watershed moment for the creative economy in Southeast Asia’s largest economy. For decades, the Indonesian film industry has produced critically acclaimed live-action dramas and horror films, but animated features rarely achieved significant cross-border theatrical distribution due to high production costs, technical gaps, and intense global competition from established Hollywood and Japanese animation powerhouses.

The success of Jumbo in 40 international territories—spanning Europe, Latin America, Eurasia, and Asia—demonstrates that Indonesian animation studios possess the technical capability and artistic ingenuity to produce world-class content. By proving that stories originating from local cultural contexts can achieve broad international appeal when paired with universal themes, Visinema Studios has blazed a new trail for future Indonesian animation projects.

Furthermore, the extensive multi-territory theatrical release highlights a growing appetite among global distributors for diverse content outside the traditional Western and East Asian animation duopoly. As global streaming platforms and international theatrical exhibitors actively seek fresh, high-quality storytelling from emerging markets, films like Jumbo are well-positioned to capitalize on this shifting global landscape.

As Jumbo: La voce di Don continues to play in 121 cinemas across Italy, industry analysts will closely monitor its box office performance as a barometer for the long-term viability of Indonesian intellectual property in Western European theatrical markets. With a solid foundation of over 10.2 million domestic viewers, localized musical adaptations, and a carefully curated international distribution network, Visinema Studios has successfully transformed Jumbo from a local cinematic passion project into a bona fide global cultural ambassador.