BAGFEST 2026 to position Sarawak as regional animation, games hub with over 20,000 visitors expected

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By DayakDaily Team

KUCHING, July 15: Malaysia is set to make history with the launch of the Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026, the first international animation and games festival in Borneo taking place in Kuching from Aug 19 to 23, to position Sarawak as an emerging regional hub for animation, games and the digital creative industries.

Held under the theme “Forging Sarawak’s Digital Future as the Regional Hub for Animation & Games,” BAGFEST 2026 marks a significant step in transforming Sarawak’s digital creative ambitions into tangible outcomes. The festival aims to empower young creative talent, nurture globally competitive intellectual property (IP) and businesses, and drive economic growth through the digital economy.

The BAGFEST 2026 officiation ceremony will be graced by Premier of Sarawak Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, on Aug 2.

Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo said BAGFEST 2026 represents the strong collaboration between the federal government and the Sarawak government in advancing Malaysia’s digital creative ecosystem while unlocking new opportunities in innovation, talent development and economic growth, particularly in East Malaysia.

“BAGFEST 2026 is more than a festival; it is a strategic platform that will position Sarawak as a regional powerhouse for animation and games while strengthening Malaysia’s presence in the global digital creative economy.

“Our greatest investment is in our people. By connecting Malaysian talent with international industry leaders, investors and global markets, we are creating opportunities for our creators to develop world-class intellectual property, build globally competitive businesses and showcase Malaysian creativity on the international stage,” he said in a media release today.

BAGFEST 2026 is expected to attract more than 1,500 industry delegates from over 20 countries, facilitate over 200 business-to-business (B2B) meetings, feature more than 50 exhibitors, and welcome over 20,000 visitors through exhibitions, conferences, community programmes and immersive experiences.

The festival is projected to generate RM100 million in export opportunities and RM50 million in investment opportunities, further reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a regional destination for digital content, creative artificial intelligence (AI) technologies and innovation.

Industry leaders, investors, publishers, studios and renowned speakers from countries including Malaysia, the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada will gather in Kuching to explore partnerships, investment opportunities and emerging trends shaping the future of animation and games.

The event is expected to attract a diverse global community comprising animation studios, game developers, publishers, technology companies, investors, educational institutions, content creators and aspiring digital talent from across the region.

Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil said BAGFEST 2026 reflects its continued commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s digital content ecosystem by enabling local creative companies to access global markets, establish commercial partnerships and develop export-ready intellectual property.

“Sarawak is blessed with abundant creative talent, strong institutional support and solid digital foundations to emerge as a regional centre of excellence for animation and games. Through BAGFEST 2026, we aim to translate this potential into commercial outcomes by connecting Malaysian studios and creators with global partners, investors and markets.

“This initiative is about building export-ready intellectual property, strengthening our digital content ecosystem and creating new pathways for Malaysian creative companies to grow with purpose beyond our borders,” he said.

BAGFEST 2026 will feature a dynamic programme that blends industry engagement with public experiences. Highlights include an animation, comics and games exhibition, gaming showcases, esports activities, stage performances, cosplay competitions and a Beyblade tournament, providing fans with opportunities to engage directly with creators and industry professionals.

To strengthen Malaysia’s creative talent pipeline, the festival will also host the MYFutureJobs Creative Speed Dating Career Fair, organised in collaboration with Perkeso. The initiative is expected to connect between 500 and 1,000 jobseekers with employers from Malaysia’s creative industry. Students and emerging professionals will also benefit from portfolio review sessions led by experienced mentors from the animation and games sectors.

Beyond the convention halls, BAGFEST 2026 will bring animation closer to the community through Wayang Pacak at Taman Perpaduan, a unique three-night outdoor animation screening inspired by Malaysia’s traditional open-air cinema culture.

Powered by green energy solutions, the programme is envisioned as Sarawak’s first zero-emission outdoor animation screening experience, celebrating Malaysian animation while bringing together families, local entrepreneurs and the wider community.

BAGFEST 2026 is poised to become Borneo’s flagship animation and games industry event, serving as a catalyst for innovation, talent development, international collaboration and economic growth while showcasing Malaysia’s creative excellence to the world.

For more information and registration updates, visit: https://www.bagf.my/. — DayakDaily

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