Third time’s the charm!
The Raintown Film Festival returns in early September 2026 at Taiping, Perak. Free and open for all, the three-day festival screens local films, hosts film talks, workshops, outdoor screenings, and guided tours that allow audiences to enjoy Malaysian cinema while enjoying Taiping’s heritage — also known as “Raintown” for being the wettest place in the country.
This year’s short film competition carries the theme “After the Rain,” inviting filmmakers of all ages to craft stories inspired by the quiet moments, reflections, and possibilities that emerge after the rain. Submissions for the short film competition are now open.
Scheduled for early September and aligned with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, the festival will be showcasing selected films shot in Taiping, including a documentary talk on the relocation of Terong SJK (C) Aik Hua in Terong. Guided tours of Taiping Hill will also be offered, giving visitors the chance to explore the town beyond the screen.
Following the success of the Raintown Short Film Competition 2025, which drew 103 filmmakers from students to established directors, the 2026 edition aims to continue nurturing emerging voices in Malaysian cinema. Submissions close on June 14, 2026, with 20 shortlisted films to be screened during the festival.
The Best Short Film will receive RM8,000, with additional prizes supported by renowned brands including GoPro, Logitech, and Lumos.
The 3rd Raintown Film Festival is presented by West Coast Expressway, organized by the Raintown Film Festival Committee in collaboration with WuBen Film Magazine, with support from PORT Ipoh through the Perak Creative Fund.
For more information and updates, follow Raintown Film Festival on Facebook.
Here are the submission guidelines for the Raintown Short Film Competition:
Theme: After The Rain
Genre: Any (Fiction/Documentary/Animation/Others)
Duration: 10 minutes or less
Language: Any (Please include English subtitles)
Format and resolution: H.264 MP4/MOV, 1920x1080, or above
Nationality: Malaysian only
Deadline: June 14, 2026, 11:59 PM
Submission: Scan the QR code on the poster or through here.
