The Raintown Film Festival is making a comeback for its second year from Sept. 12 to 14, 2025, at Paragon Cinema, Taiping Mall. Free and open for all, the three-day film festival invites audiences to explore Taiping’s charm through a line-up of film screenings, film talks, and guided tours. Pre-registration is encouraged, but walk-ins are welcome.
Continuing its mission to highlight Taiping’s rich landscape, history, and cultural narratives, this year’s program features four feature films shot in and around Taiping: “The Gathering,” produced by Jin Ong and stars Jack Tan, beautifully captures the essence of Taiping town; “The Game,” directed by Felix Tan, was shot entirely in Bukit Larut; A 20th anniversary screening of the late Mamat Khalid’s classic, “Rock”; and the story of the notorious Perak “Pirate King” Tan Lian Lay, “The Pirate & The Emperor Ship.”
The festival will also present the top 10 short films from this year’s Raintown Short Film Festival, chosen from 103 submissions exploring “rain” across a variety of genres. Seven awards will be presented during the festival’s closing night, including Best Short Film, Jury Prize, and Best Director.
Beyond the screen, visitors can join the special talk “Capturing the Memories of Aulong Lama” with writer Uthaya Sankar SB, who documents memories from the 1970s to 1990s through his camera. Professor Teoh Chee Keong will lead a three-hour walking tour of Taiping, uncovering little-known stories and hidden corners of Taiping.
“Taiping is often remembered for its 33 famous ‘firsts,’ but there is so much more to this town, including its folk tales, history, and arts and cultural events,” explained festival founder Jacky Yeap. “With the efforts of local communities and support from the government, Taiping is definitely more than just a travel destination. It is a town rich in humanity and cultural depth.”
The Raintown Film Festival’s 2nd edition is made possible through the support of key public and private partners, with the West Coast Expressway (WCE) joining as a strategic partner. WCE CEO Lyndon Alfred Felix shared, “Taiping is a town rich in stories, culture, and creative spirit. Supporting the Raintown Film Festival is one way we celebrate the heritage of the communities along our expressway.”
The 2nd Raintown Film Festival is also supported by the Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Taiping YB Wong Kah Who, Perak EXCO YB The Kok Lim, Pokok Assam Assemblyman YB Ong Seng Guan, and Dana Kreatif Perak Port Ipoh, alongside the ArtsFAS programme by Yayasan Hasanah, Sustainable Tourism Malaysia, and other sponsors and partners.
For more information and updates, follow Raintown Film Festival on Facebook. Pre-register and redeem your tickets through the website here.
Raintown Film Festival 2025
Location: Paragon Cinema, Taiping Mall, Jalan Tupai 34000 Taiping Perak
When: Sept. 12 to 14, 2025
Admission: Free, but pre-registration is encouraged.
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