Gobind Singh Deo
KUCHING (July 15): Sarawak is set to host Borneo’s first international animation and games festival next month as part of efforts to position the state as a regional hub for the digital creative industry.
The five-day Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026 will be held here from Aug 19 to 23 under the theme, ‘Forging Sarawak’s Digital Future as the Regional Hub for Animation & Games’.
The Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC) in a statement said the festival is expected to attract more than 1,500 industry delegates from over 20 countries, facilitate more than 200 business-to-business (B2B) meetings, feature over 50 exhibitors and welcome more than 20,000 visitors through exhibitions, conferences, community programmes and immersive experiences.
The corporation said BAGFEST 2026 is projected to generate RM100 million in export opportunities and RM50 million in potential investments, further reinforcing Malaysia’s position as a leading regional destination for digital content, creative artificial intelligence (AI) technology and innovation.
The official opening ceremony on Aug 21 will be officiated by Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Digital Minister Gobind Singh Deo said BAGFEST 2026 reflects the strong partnership between the federal and Sarawak governments in advancing Malaysia’s digital creative industry while creating new opportunities for innovation, talent development and economic growth in East Malaysia.
He said the festival is more than just an event, serving as a strategic platform to 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.
MDEC chief executive officer Anuar Fariz Fadzil said BAGFEST 2026 demonstrates the agency’s continued commitment to strengthening Malaysia’s digital content ecosystem by enabling local creative companies to access global markets, forge 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 turn that 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.
The festival will feature an animation, comics and games exhibition, gaming showcases, esports activities, stage performances, cosplay competitions and a Beyblade tournament.
It will also host the MYFutureJobs Creative Speed Dating Career Fair, organised in collaboration with the Social Security Organisation (Socso), which is expected to connect between 500 and 1,000 jobseekers with employers in Malaysia’s creative industry. The programme will also include portfolio review sessions for students and emerging professionals conducted by experienced industry practitioners.
Another highlight will be a three-night outdoor animation screening at Reservoir Park, inspired by Malaysia’s traditional open-air cinema culture and powered by green energy solutions, making it Sarawak’s first zero-emission outdoor animation screening experience.