WAK Festival 2026 opens call for proposals, invites creatives to shape 8th edition under ‘Shoots’ theme

Abdul Karim (seated, third right) in a group photo with WAK Festival organiser and attendees after officiating the Call for Proposals (CFP) Media Launch at Ridgeway on March 6, 2026.

By Karen Bong

KUCHING, March 6: The What About Kuching Festival (WAK Festival) today officially launched its Call for Proposals (CFP) for WAK Festival 2026, inviting creatives, communities, organisations and cultural practitioners from across Sarawak and the region to submit event proposals for the upcoming festival edition.

The media launch, officiated by Sarawak Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Dato Sri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, marked the start of submissions for the festival’s eighth edition, which continues to position itself as Sarawak’s premier open-access, multi-genre community festival platform celebrating arts, culture and lifestyle.

In his opening remarks, festival director Donald Tan introduced the 2026 theme, “Shoots”, describing it as a symbol of emergence, renewal and courageous growth within Sarawak’s creative ecosystem.

“If roots ground us, shoots carry us forward. Shoots represent the first visible signs of life pushing upward, new talents, new collaborations and new creative enterprises taking shape across Sarawak. Today’s Call for Proposals is an open invitation to be part of that growth,” he said at the launching event held at Ridgeway, Jalan Ong Tiang Swee.

Tan emphasised that the WAK Festival has always been shaped by the collective energy of the community.

“WAK is not built by one organisation. It is shaped by a community that believes creativity can be a catalyst for connection, opportunity and progress,” he said.

Under the “Shoots” theme, the festival is calling for bold ideas, experimental formats, cross-disciplinary collaborations and creative start-ups ready to engage audiences across a diverse range of genres including music, visual arts, design, digital innovation, culinary experiences, performance and lifestyle programming.

Abdul Karim (right) places his palm on the screen to activate a video presentation to mark the WAK Festival Call for Proposals Media Launch at Ridgeway on March 6, 2026.

Tan added that the platform also encourages first-time creators to step forward while inviting established practitioners to mentor and collaborate with emerging talents.

“Shoots is about momentum. It is about ensuring that what begins here does not end with the festival, but continues to grow beyond it,” he said.

In his address, Abdul Karim highlighted the growing importance of the WAK Festival within Sarawak’s cultural landscape.

He recalled that during the launch of the previous edition, Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg had described WAK Festival as “a flagship celebration of Sarawak’s arts, culture and lifestyle”.

“That statement affirmed WAK as a defining feature event for our State, one that reflects who we are as a people: creative, diverse and forward-looking,” he said.

The minister noted that WAK Festival 2026 marks the eighth edition of the event, which has steadily grown into one of the most anticipated creative festivals in Sarawak’s annual calendar.

“If previous editions strengthened our foundations, ‘Shoots’ represents growth in motion, new talents rising, new collaborations forming and new creative enterprises flourishing,” he added.

Abdul Karim also called on creatives from across the region, including Sarawak, Sabah, Brunei, Indonesia, Singapore and Peninsular Malaysia, to participate in the upcoming edition by submitting their proposals through the festival’s official website.

“This is your stage. Your platform. Your opportunity,” he said.

WAK Festival 2026 will once again be held across multiple locations in Sarawak, beginning with satellite festivals in Sibu and Miri in June, followed by the month-long Kuching edition in October.

The festival dates are scheduled as follows: WAK Sibu Festival from June 12 to 14, WAK Miri Festival from June 19 to 21, and WAK Kuching Festival from Oct 1 to 31.

Throughout June and October 2026, the festival will provide an open platform for local, regional and international creative communities to perform and showcase their works at various public and private venues across Sibu, Miri and Kuching.

With continued support from the Sarawak government and the strength of its growing creative community, WAK Festival 2026 is poised to deliver its most dynamic and impactful edition yet.
Creatives, organisations and community groups interested in participating can submit their proposals through the official website at www.wakfestival.com.

Deputy Youth and Sport Development Minister Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, permanent secretary to MTCP Datu Sherina Hussaini, Padawan Municipal Council (MPP) chairman Tan Kai, and Sarawak Tourism Federation assistant secretary general Awang Saifeluddin Awangku Karim were among the distinguished guests present at the event. — DayakDaily