• How The Secret of the Moonstone signals a new chapter for sri lankan animation

When Mogo Studios released the trailer for The Secret of the Moonstone, it did more than announce a new film. It marked a turning point for Sri Lankan animation, one that has been years in the making and fuelled by local skill, patience, and an insistence on telling stories rooted in this island, without limiting where those stories can travel.

Scheduled for a worldwide theatrical release in 2026, The Secret of the Moonstone is Sri Lanka’s first fully produced animated feature film created with international audiences in mind. Developed and produced entirely in Sri Lanka, the project places homegrown animation talent at the centre of an ambitious, high-stakes cinematic effort.

“For a long time, Sri Lankan animation has been seen as service-driven or outsourced work,” said Mogo Studios General Manager Sacitha Kalingamudali, “With this film, we wanted to shift that perception and say, we can create original, large-scale animated cinema that stands shoulder to shoulder with international productions.”

A futuristic Colombo, grounded in folklore

At the heart of The Secret of the Moonstone is a reimagined version of a well-known folktale –  the story of Maha Dena Muttha and his five golayas. Rather than retelling it in a familiar historical setting, the film places its narrative in a futuristic Colombo, where advanced technology coexists with myth and memory.

The story follows Lucky, a descendant of Maha Dena Muttha, and his closest friend Taniya, as they race against time to locate the legendary Book of Wisdom. Their path takes them through Sri Lanka’s dense forests and hidden landscapes, guarded by a mystical being named Nila, while being relentlessly pursued by the descendants of Arachchi.

“We weren’t interested in nostalgia for its own sake,” Sacitha explained. “We asked ourselves how these folktales would live, breathe, and adapt in a future Sri Lanka. That question shaped everything – from character design to world-building.”

The result is a fast-paced action-adventure aimed at family audiences, with layered storytelling that speaks to children and adults alike. Friendship, legacy, and responsibility form the emotional spine of the film, while high-energy sequences keep the momentum sharp and accessible.

A production built at home

What sets The Secret of the Moonstone apart is not just its story, but how it was made. Every stage of production – from concept development and animation to post-production – was handled locally, using Sri Lankan artists, technicians, and storytellers.

“This wasn’t a shortcut project,” Sacitha noted. “It required years of groundwork, training, trial and error, and belief in our own teams. There were moments when it would have been easier to outsource parts of the process, but we made a conscious choice not to.”

That choice, he said, was about building long-term capacity rather than chasing quick wins. The film has already been submitted to several respected international film and animation festivals, placing Sri Lankan animation in spaces it has rarely occupied before.

“When international programmers watch this, we want them to see more than a single film,” Sacitha added. “We want them to see an industry that is ready, capable, and serious about original storytelling.”

Backed by scale, driven by creativity

Mogo Studios operates as a subsidiary of Derana Macroentertainment, part of one of the country’s most influential media groups. That backing provided the infrastructure needed to attempt a project of this scale – but Sacitha is quick to stress that creative autonomy remained central.

“Having the Derana group behind us meant access to resources and stability,” he said. “But the creative direction was always driven by the story and the team making it. That balance mattered.”

Over the years, Mogo has steadily expanded its focus across animation, gaming, and narrative-driven content. The Secret of the Moonstone represents the studio’s most ambitious undertaking so far, but it is not intended as a one-off.

Looking ahead without slowing down

Work has already begun on Mogo’s next animated feature, developed in collaboration with PowerKids Entertainment in Singapore and Climb Studios in India. Alongside that, an animated children’s series aimed at international distribution is currently in production.

“These projects exist because Moonstone exists,” Sacitha said. “Once you prove something is possible, the conversation changes. Investors listen differently. Partners approach you with trust.”

For him, the larger goal extends beyond individual titles. It is about creating continuity – a pipeline of animated work that allows artists to grow without leaving the country.

“We have incredible young animators here,” he reflected. “What they need is consistency. Films like this give them a reason to stay, learn, and build something sustainable.”

A milestone, not a finish line

As anticipation builds around the film’s release, Sacitha remains measured about what success looks like.

“This is a proud moment, no question,” he said. “But it’s not an endpoint. It’s proof that Sri Lanka belongs in the animated feature space, and that we can claim that space on our own terms.”

With its blend of folklore, futuristic design, and locally built production muscle, The Secret of the Moonstone arrives as both a statement and an invitation – one that signals where Sri Lankan animation stands today, and where it intends to go next.

The trailer for The Secret of the Moonstone is now available to watch online.