Indonesia’s maiden Shariah-funded film an unexpected industry catalyst 

Islamic investors are exploring opportunities in the Indonesian movie industry as the archipelago’s maiden Shariah-funded film has demonstrated a blueprint for profitability over the longer-term.

The box-office for ‘The Sun Gazer: Cinta Dari Langit’ is prodding regional streaming giants such as Vidio and Max Stream to seek investor roles with studios in Jakarta – pivoting towards ethical funding, the film’s executive producer Kamaruddin Batubara shared with IFN Investor.

Aside from the interest shown by streaming services, religious programming scheduled for broadcast during the 2027 Ramadan period are also weighing Islamic funding strategies, said Kamarudin – president director of Muslim cooperative, Group of Koperasi Syariah Benteng Mikro Indonesia, which was the sole funder of ‘The Sun Gazer’.

‘The Sun Gazer’ has recovered nearly its entire IDR3.5 billion (US$206,705) investment within half a year of its debut, with more receipts expected from syndicated releases and streaming. Kamaruddin said the benefit from this investment goes beyond financial returns. “We see this to be more of an acquisition of commercial rights that will span five years.

While not a blockbuster, the relative success of the film has surpassed the expectations of many in the industry – piquing interest particularly in its Shariah production model which, hitherto, had not been utilized in the world’s most populous Muslim country.

The first movie’s returns included sponsored screenings. With plans underway to produce a second movie in 2027 to follow ‘The Sun Gazer, Kamaruddin said: “There are some Shariah banks who will again be sponsors for the cinema screenings.”

Local novelist Muhammad Gunawan Yasni, who helmed the script, said more local producers are working on Islamic entertainment as an alternative because the Indonesian movie industry is already feeling viewer fatigue from years of churning out horror and romance flicks.

Confident that Shariah-funded entertainment will become a mainstay for Indonesia, Muhammad is hopeful of similar investment opportunities emerging in other Islamic economies – especially in Malaysia and the GCC region.

“Hopefully, Indonesia will pave the path for Shariah entertainment to become a major segment for investors.”