Vietnamese cinema continues its international ascent as Skyline Media‘s breakout hit “The Ancestral Home” secures a May 9 North American theatrical release through Eastern Edge Films.
The family drama, which has already claimed the title of Vietnam‘s highest-grossing spiritual film with nearly $10 million in domestic box office receipts, will strategically debut during Asian American History Month as part of a global rollout.
Directed by “Land of Spirits” creator Huynh Lap, who also co-stars in the production, “The Ancestral Home” has attracted over 3 million admissions since its February 21 local launch. The film features pop star-turned-actor Phuong My Chi in her first leading role alongside acclaimed actor Huynh Dong and veteran performers Dao Anh Tuan and Hanh Thuy.
The comedy-drama follows a Gen Z content creator who returns to her ancestral home seeking viral material, only to encounter her deceased brother’s ghost while dealing with avaricious relatives.
“We believe ‘The Ancestral Home’ reflects a strategic step forward in the global recognition of Vietnamese cinema,” said Alice Nguyen, distribution manager at Skyline Media. “Its overwhelming success at home and its unique blend of humor, heart, and heritage make it a natural fit for audiences abroad, especially during culturally significant moments like the Qingming Festival in Taiwan and Asian American History Month in the U.S.”
The film’s international journey began on April 2 with its Taiwan release via MovieCloud, timed to coincide with the Qingming festival. Australia and New Zealand audiences will see the film starting April 24 through Infinity Entertainment, with releases in Myanmar, Cambodia, and Laos via EST Media to follow.
Beyond its commercial success, the production has generated substantial cultural impact, sparking over 3.8 million social media mentions in the first quarter of 2025 and achieving an 84% Net Sentiment Rate – the highest in its category.
New Jersey-based Eastern Edge Films, founded by Jawahar Sharma, specializes in theatrical and non-theatrical distribution of Asian and Arabic-language films across North America. The company recently released another Vietnamese hit, “The Real Sister,” which screened in over 106 locations throughout the U.S. and Canada.
Skyline Media has distributed more than 800 international films and served as sales agent for over 150 Vietnamese and Southeast Asian titles. The company’s reach extends to more than 50 countries through 130+ global partnerships.