Indonesia’s Garuda: Dare to Dream heads to Tokyo Gap-Financing Market
The Indonesian animation project Garuda: Dare to Dream is making its first official steps into the international arena as producer Shanty Harmayn brings the feature to the Tokyo Gap-Financing Market. This marks a pivotal moment for Harmayn’s company, which is expanding from live-action and documentary work into a full-fledged animated feature ahead of a planned early 2026 theatrical release.
The film follows Putra, a 13-year-old with asthma who dreams of donning Indonesia’s national soccer jersey. After a disappointing showing at the Sanca Perkasa Soccer School trials, Putra encounters Gaga, a luminous Garuda spirit, who grants him supernatural speed, power, and skill. The narrative blends adventure, drama, humor, and high-energy sports action to tell a coming‑of‑age story that resonates beyond the field.
A strategic debut at Tokyo’s animation hub
Harmayn emphasizes that Japan, with its rich tradition of animation and anime, is the ideal launching pad for a first-time animated feature. The Tokyo market offers exposure to gap financing, potential distributors, and festival opportunities—critical elements for a film that will need substantial co-financing to reach international audiences.
Director Ronny Gani, who has built a career as an animator on major projects including Marvel productions, notes that Garuda’s core message aligns with his own journey. “The story of finding the courage to take that first step toward a dream mirrors my own experience of overcoming limitations when I pursued a career as a professional animator,” he says, underscoring the personal stake behind the project.
Challenges and creative ambitions
The production has been three years in development, a timeline Harmayn describes as a careful but necessary pace for a first animated feature with a new team. The challenge has been balancing financing with creative ambition—ensuring a robust story while delivering top-tier animation quality. Barunson E&A has joined as both investor and sales agent, signaling strong confidence in Garuda’s international potential. Harmayn anticipates an Indonesian theatrical launch in early 2026, with the hope that the film will travel to other territories as well.
Gani stresses the importance of a distinctive visual identity in a crowded market. “In the current competitive landscape of animation, it’s crucial to establish a unique and compelling visual language from the outset,” he explains. The team is pursuing a look that is memorable yet feasible within production constraints, a balance that will define Garuda’s stand-out presence on screen.
authenticity, sport, and humor on screen
To capture the authenticity of soccer sequences, the production team studies real-world footage to energize the on-field action. This ongoing research ensures that Putra’s athletic moments feel earned and exciting. At the same time, Garuda’s humor and emotional beats are informed by a broad study of comedy and rhythm, aiming to deliver moments of levity that complement the intensity of the sports drama.
What’s next for Garuda
Beyond the first feature, the Garuda project family is expanding. Details remain under wraps, but Harmayn and the creative team are already developing additional projects that will continue to explore the Garuda mythos and related adventures. The intent is to build a brand that can travel beyond Indonesia’s borders while staying rooted in local storytelling traditions.
As Garuda moves from development into production and, eventually, to screens worldwide, the project stands as a testament to Indonesia’s growing presence in international animation and to the transformative potential of sports-centered, character-driven storytelling.
