Third Culture Content launches Night Market Studios, a genre-focused production company anchored in Singapore, with ambitions to reshape how Asian horror and thriller stories reach global audiences. The Conjuring writers Chad Hayes and Carey W. Hayes have signed on as executive producers, lending their franchise pedigree to the venture.
Night Market Studios operates as a subsidiary of Third Culture Content, the production outfit cofounded by Janice Chua and Sean Dulake. The company debuts with a four-film slate heading to the Cannes Film Market, signaling serious industry backing for Asian-produced genre content.
The Hayes brothers bring substantial credentials to the project. Their work on The Conjuring films and Insidious franchise has made them fixtures in contemporary horror. Their involvement as executive producers suggests Night Market Studios intends to blend Western horror sensibilities with Asian storytelling traditions and production expertise.
The timing reflects a broader shift in global cinema. Asian genre films have gained momentum in recent years, with Korean and Japanese horror particularly resonating with international audiences. Yet the infrastructure for consistently developing and distributing Asian genre content at scale remains fragmented. Night Market Studios positions itself to fill that gap.
Singapore's emergence as a production hub matters here. The city-state offers tax incentives, technical infrastructure, and proximity to regional talent pools. Anchoring the company there signals commitment to Southeast Asian production rather than simply financing Asian stories from Western offices.
The Cannes Film Market debut stakes considerable reputation on the four-film slate. Genre content typically generates returns through theatrical releases and streaming deals, both increasingly valuable in today's market. With Hayes brothers attached as executive producers, Night Market Studios gains immediate credibility with distributors familiar with their franchise-building track record.
Third Culture Content's model suggests deliberate strategy. Rather than chasing prestige awards, Night Market Studios targets the audience appetite for supernatural thrillers and genre entertainment that transcends regional boundaries. The Hayes brothers' involvement indicates the company views Asian genre production not as niche territory but as commercially viable global cinema.
