The first international animation and games festival is set to be held in Borneo – the five-day Borneo Animation & Games Festival (BAGFEST) 2026 event will take place in Kuching, Sarawak, from 19 to 23 August 2026, positioning the state as an emerging regional hub for the animation, games and digital creative industries.
The BAGFEST 2026 is a joint initiative backed by federal and Sarawak state government, with governmental agency MDEC playing a central role in its execution. Minister of Digital Gobind Singh Deo described the festival as a strategic platform designed to strengthen Malaysia’s presence in the global digital creative economy while unlocking new innovation and talent development opportunities in East Malaysia.
BAGFEST 2026 To Bring The Best Of Borneo Creatives
BAGFEST 2026 is expected to draw more than 1,500 industry delegates from over 20 countries and welcome upwards of 20,000 visitors. The event will facilitate more than 200 B2B meetings and feature over 50 exhibitors. Industry leaders, publishers, studios and speakers from the United States, Japan, South Korea, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Canada are all expected to converge in Kuching.
On the public-facing side, the festival program includes an animation, comics and games exhibition, gaming showcases, esports activities, stage performances, cosplay competitions, and get this – a Beyblade tournament of all things. Bring your Beyblades to the arena if you’re interested!
Besides creative showcases, the MYFutureJobs Creative Speed Dating Career Fair will be present on-site, which is expected to connect between 500 and 1,000 jobseekers with employers from Malaysia’s creative industry. Students and emerging professionals will additionally have access to portfolio review sessions with experienced animation and games mentors.
Extending beyond the festival halls, BAGFEST 2026 will also present Wayang Pacak at Taman Perpaduan in Kuching, a three-night outdoor animation screening inspired by Malaysia’s traditional open-air cinema culture. The event will be powered by “green energy solutions,” according to the organizers. The official BAGFEST 2026 ceremony on 21 August 2026 will be graced by the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri (Dr) Abang Haji Abdul Rahman Zohari Tun Datuk Abang Haji Openg.
Pokdepinion: Makes you wonder, what’s the deal on the recent mascot reveal in 2027 SEA Games? On one hand we’re supporting the creative industry, and on the other we’re embracing AI slop somehow. Pretty ironic (and even insulting), too, considering the event page has AI-generated visuals.
