Fearfolks Takes Sales Rights On ‘Cocoa Doll’ Starring Grace Duah 

EXCLUSIVE: Fearfolks, the Bangkok-based genre label founded by Hans Audric B. Estialbo and Benetone Films, has picked up global sales rights to body horror Cocoa Doll, starring Gossip Girl’s Grace Duah.

The project is the debut feature of Muslim-Nigerian director Jumai Yusuf, based on a screenplay that was previously recognized in the Muslim List – presented by the Black List, MPAC Hollywood and Pillars Fund – and the WScripted Cannes Screenplay List, presented by Mubi.

The story revolves around a Black Muslim woman, played by Duah, who is hired by the wealthy McNeil family, but soon discovers that they has been turning previous employees in to living dolls. She must stage her escape before she becomes a part of the family’s collection.

The film is produced by The Dazey Phase’s Jake Casey (Heightened Scrutiny), Unger Media’s Jonathan Unger (Mysterious Ways) and Alta Global Media’s Steven Adams, who previously worked with Paris-based VFX house BUF (Life of Pi).

LA-based Zoic Studios is also on board the film as VFX supervisor. Production is scheduled to start in the fourth quarter of 2026.

“At Fearfolks, we are interested in films that push narrative boundaries and Cocoa Doll is a great example of how personal stories can translate to films that speak to a wider audience,” said Fearfolks CEO Estialbo.

Yusuf added: “While the film features the literal transformation of people into dolls, it’s also a powerful metaphor for the objectification of black women and the ways society feels entitled to their bodies, their minds, and their lived experiences.

“At its core, Cocoa Doll is an inherently feminine horror story that explores monstrous femininity, from the grotesque process of creating these dolls to the extreme lengths women will go to in the pursuit of beauty, perfection, and control.”

Unger added: “Cocoa Doll shines a light on the dark underbelly of some of our most popular pop culture touchstones and gives voice to the Muslim community, through a powerful female lead.”

Jumai’s previous works include Oscar-qualified short film Nate & John, which premiered at Tribeca Film Festival; was nominated for the 56th NAACP Image Awards, and won the Gold House Cultural Impact Award at the American Pavilion Emerging Filmmaker Showcase during the 2024 Cannes Film Festival. 

Fearfolks, which is part-owned by Thailand’s Benetone Films, is also developing a slate of Thai horror and other genre films, as well as handling Thai distribution on titles from A24, Neon and The Horror Section in Thailand. Working with Benetone, the company is currently producing Thai horror film Cher, scripted by Patrick Graham (Ghoul, Betaal) and starring Pae Arak and Sukollawat Kanarot.