JAKARTA, May 11 -- An Indonesian animated movie is smashing regional box-office records and could be set for wider success as it prepares to open beyond the South-east Asian archipelago's silver screens.

Jumbo - a film based on the adventures of main character Don, a large orphaned Indonesian boy facing bullying at school - last month became the highest-grossing South-east Asian animated film, raking in more than US$8 million (RM34.3 million).

Released at the end of March to coincide with the Eid holidays after the Islamic fasting month of Ramadan, the movie has hit eight million ticket sales, the third highest in Indonesian cinema history, according to Film Indonesia.

The film explores "what we've lost in life and the strength we need...