The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) and Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) today launched the 20-day countdown to the Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026, one of Southeast Asia’s largest gatherings of animation, games and digital content industry players, taking place in Kuching, Sarawak from 19 to 23 August 2026. Co-organised by MDEC and SDEC through a strategic collaboration between the Federal Government and the Sarawak Government, BAGFEST 2026 will feature more than 30 renowned international and Malaysian speakers, over 50 exhibitors, as well as industry buyers, investors, publishers, studios and creative professionals. The festival aims to create new opportunities for original intellectual property (IP) development, investment, business partnerships, talent development and international market access.
MDEC CEO and BAGFEST 2026 Co-Chair Anuar Fariz Fadzil said that the festival brings to life Malaysia’s ambition to become a regional leader in digital content and creative innovation.
“BAGFEST is where creativity meets opportunity. By bringing together creators, studios, investors and global industry leaders, we are accelerating the development of original Malaysian IP, expanding international collaborations and creating new business opportunities. Together with SDEC, we are positioning Sarawak as a regional gateway for the animation, games and digital content industry,” he said.
Meanwhile, Sarawak Digital Economy Corporation (SDEC) CEO Dato Ir. Ts. Sudarnoto Osman, said BAGFEST 2026 is designed to create stronger pathways for Sarawak creators to reach regional and international markets.
“Behind every successful animation, game or digital IP is a creator who was given the right opportunity. BAGFEST 2026 creates a meeting point for creators, studios, publishers, investors and technology companies to exchange ideas, forge partnerships and shape the
future of the industry.
“We want more Sarawak-made ideas to become globally recognised intellectual property. Our hope is that, years from now, we’ll be able to look back and know that a successful Sarawak studio, a breakthrough game or an internationally recognised animation can trace
its beginnings back to BAGFEST,” he said.
Built around six strategic programme pillars, BAGFEST 2026 will drive discussions and collaborations on Creative Excellence & Storytelling, Original IP Development & Globalisation, Business Growth & Commercialisation, Future Technologies & Artificial Intelligence, Talent Development, and Community & Fun Experience. The programme combines high-level industry engagement with public participation through an international conference, business matching, networking dinner, elevator pitch competition, portfolio reviews, technical workshops, exhibition, animation film screenings, BAGFEST Con and a two-day MYFutureJobs Metaverse Career Fair.
Keynote speakers include Rob Doherty, Vice President, Production at Hasbro Entertainment, whose production credits include Angry Birds: Summer Madness, Supa Team 4 and Space Chickens in Space; Sidney Kombo, Lead Animation Supervisor at Wētā FX, known for his work on Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War and War for the Planet of the Apes; Lyon Liew, Technical Director for Simulation at Pixar Animation Studios; Ryan Lee, Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Pinkfong Company; and Takafumi Yuki, CEO and Producer of Throne Inc.
Malaysia’s creative industry will be represented by Puan Sri Datin Seri Tiara Jacquelina Eu Effendi, Group CEO and President of Enfiniti Group of Companies; Datuk Tuan Haji Burhanuddin Md. Radzi, Founder and Managing Director of Les’ Copaque Production, creator of Upin & Ipin; Usamah Zaid Yasin, Founder and CEO of WAU Animation, creator of the Ejen Ali franchise; Juhaidah Joemin, Supervising Producer at Visional Pop; and Wan Hazmer from Metronomik, the award-winning game developer behind No Straight Roads.
More than 50 exhibition booths have been confirmed, featuring government agencies, technology companies, creative studios and higher learning institutions, including Sarawak Information Systems Sdn. Bhd. (SAINS), Metadise.io, Todak Studios, FlyStudio, Lemon Sky
Studios, TrifoldX, Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (SCENIC), Multimedia University (MMU), Asia Pacific University (APU), University of Technology Sarawak (UTS), Algoin Tech and many more.
UNICEF Malaysia will also participate in BAGFEST 2026, bringing its global expertise in child online protection into discussions on creating safer and more inclusive games and digital experiences for children.
BAGFEST 2026 is supported by the State Public Communication Unit (UKAS), TVS, Astro Gempak, Borak Seeni and regional digital media platform GovInsider as Official Media Partners. Malaysia Airlines and Grab are the Official Travel Partners, while Voco Kuching is
the Official Hotel Partner.
The festival’s official opening ceremony will be held on 21 August 2026 and is expected to be graced by The Right Honourable Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Bin Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg, Premier of Sarawak, together with Malaysia’s
Minister of Digital, YB Gobind Singh Deo.
Ahead of the festival, the BAGFEST Co-Chairs will host a media engagement session in Kuching, Sarawak, on 11 August 2026, offering the media an exclusive preview of the programme highlights, keynote speakers and strategic outcomes. BAGFEST 2026 reinforces Malaysia’s commitment to growing the digital creative economy by connecting local talent with global opportunities, attracting international partnerships and strengthening Southeast Asia’s animation and games ecosystem.
