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“Pilgrims,” a Korean sci-fi animated feature that played Annecy and took a prize at Bucheon, has been picked up for worldwide sales by EST N8.
It is the first animated title for the film financing, sales and distribution
company.
EST N8 will launch international sales on the film at the Busan International Film Festival’s Asian Contents & Film Market. Sophie Changhui Shi, head of studios at EST N8, negotiated the deal with Hugh Cha, co-CEO of Desert Bloom Pictures, who represented producer 21 Studios.
The film is the first feature adapted from Kim’s bestselling collection “If We Cannot Go at the Speed of Light,” which has sold 400,000 copies, and is based on one of its short stories. The story is set in an idyllic community where emotional suffering has been eliminated and where every resident, on turning 18, must spend a year on Earth. When Sophie starts to remember Daisy, a friend who went missing on Earth, she discovers troubling truths about the village and begins to wonder whether a painless existence is worth having if it comes without love.
Kim Hyang-gi (“Along with the Gods,” “Innocent Witness”), Park Ji-hu (“All of Us Are Dead,” “Concrete Utopia”) and Lee Joo-young (“Itaewon Class,” “Broker”) lead the voice cast. Hwang Soyoon, lead singer of the band Se So Neon, wrote the music. Hwang’s solo output includes “Smoke Sprite,” a collaboration with BTS member RM.
“‘Pilgrims’ asks a universal question through a distinctly Korean science-fiction story: Is a life without pain worth living if it also means a life without love?” Shi said. “The film brings together Kim Choyeop’s bestselling source material, Heo Pyoungkang’s nearly two decades in Japanese animation, and a voice cast with internationally recognized credits. It represents exactly what EST N8 stands for: bringing bold, elevated Asian storytelling to global audiences, and we are thrilled to introduce it as our first animated feature.”
Heo makes a feature directing debut after close to 20 years in the Japanese animation industry. Heo’s résumé includes the Netflix series “Japan Sinks: 2020,” on which Heo was series director, and Yuasa Masaaki’s “The Night Is Short, Walk on Girl,” on which Heo directed a unit. We Hyun-song heads up character design. We’s credits include “Inside Out 2,” and We worked as a concept artist on “KPop Demon Hunters.”
“This film portrays the journey of those who willingly embrace pain to choose love,” Heo said. “I would describe it as a work that asks how we can accept this imperfect world we live in and learn to love one another.”
21 Studios is based in Seoul and develops and produces IP, with a focus on stories that move between film and television. The company is run by CEO Huh Kyubum, a former venture capitalist with Union Investment Partners who focused on investing in Korean content.
“Pilgrims” picked up the Technical Award at the 2025 Bucheon International Animation Festival. It then played in the Animated Thrills & Chills strand at this year’s Annecy Animation Festival before Special Movie City released it in Korean cinemas.
Huh said the team set out to keep the emotional intimacy of Kim’s story while building a world that feels cinematic. “The film’s recognition at BIAF and selection at Annecy have shown that Sophie’s choice can speak across cultures,” Huh said. “We are pleased to partner with EST N8 to bring the film to international audiences.”
Three EST N8 executives will run the sales campaign and global release strategy: Jan Paul Villanueva, EVP of acquisitions and global distribution; Cathy Ni, head of sales and U.S. distribution; and Shams Pasha, global sales and marketing executive.
EST N8’s Busan market lineup also includes “Tame,” the Thai horror debut from B-EST Pictures; “Master,” the Rotterdam prizewinner from Rezwan Shahriar Sumit; Dean Colin Marcial’s Manila-set crime thriller “Jaguar”; the Taiwanese action film “Dead End” from Chan Chun-hao; and Mariko Tetsuya’s “Dear Stranger.”
The company was formed when EST Studios and N8 combined. It finances, sells and distributes Asian films worldwide, and also releases international titles across Asia. Its production and sales credits include the Oscar-shortlisted, Emmy-nominated “Hidden Letters,” the Toronto selection “K-Pops!” and “The Monk and the Gun,” Bhutan’s Oscar submission.
