Raintown Film Festival Opens Submissions for 2026 Short Film Competition with Theme “After the Rain”

The Raintown Film Festival has officially announced the launch of the Raintown Short Film Competition 2026, inviting Malaysian filmmakers to submit their works under the theme “After the Rain.” The competition will be part of the 3rd Raintown Film Festival, scheduled to take place in early September in Taiping, Perak. Founded in 2024 by Malaysian filmmaker Jacky Yeap, the Raintown Film Festival has quickly established itself as a vibrant platform celebrating Malaysian cinema while highlighting the cultural identity of Taiping, often referred to as “Raintown,” the wettest town in Malaysia. The festival combines screenings of local works with film talks, workshops, outdoor screenings, and guided tours, creating a unique experience where audiences can discover both cinema and the historical town itself. Since its inception, attendance has steadily grown, attracting film enthusiasts from across the country. Beyond screenings, the festival places strong emphasis on nurturing emerging talent. Through the Raintown Short Film Competition, filmmakers are given the opportunity to present their work to audiences and engage with industry professionals. The exchange between experienced filmmakers and newcomers aims to encourage creative growth, enhance the quality of works, and build stronger connections within the Malaysian filmmaking community. The upcoming edition also aligns with Visit Malaysia Year 2026, further reinforcing the event’s role as a cultural and tourism initiative. Over three days, the festival will showcase films shot in Taiping, alongside a documentary talk focusing on the relocation of Terong SJK (C) Aik Hua, a government-funded project previously announced by Deputy Minister of Education Wong Kah Woh. Guided tours of Taiping Hill will also be organized, offering visitors the opportunity to explore the town’s distinctive environment beyond the cinema screen. The Raintown Short Film Competition 2026 builds on the success of the previous edition, which attracted 103 participants ranging from high school students and film students to emerging directors, established filmmakers, and retirees. For the new edition, filmmakers are encouraged to create short works inspired by the theme “After the Rain,” reflecting on the possibilities, emotions, and stories that emerge once the rain stops. Submissions will remain open until June 14, 2026, with twenty shortlisted films scheduled to screen during the festival. The Best Short Film Award carries a prize of RM8,000, while additional awards are sponsored by companies including CK Music, GoPro, Logitech, N4 Camera Store Sdn Bhd, Ulanzi, and Lumos. The 3rd Raintown Film Festival is presented by West Coast Expressway and organized by the Raintown Film Festival Committee in collaboration with WuBen Film Magazine, with Studio 1914 serving as co-organizer. The festival is also supported by PORT Ipoh under the Perak Creative Fund. Filmmakers interested in participating can find submission details and entry forms online. Submission Guidelines Theme: After the RainGenre: Any (Fiction, Documentary, Animation or other)Duration: 10 minutes or lessLanguage: Any language with English subtitlesFormat: H.264 MP4/MOV, 1920×1080 resolution or higherEligibility: Malaysian filmmakers onlyDeadline: June 14, 2026 (11:59 PM) Submissions can be made through the official portal:https://www.ckmusic.com.my/rff-2026 Press Release_The 3rd Raintown … For more information, follow the official Facebook page Raintown Film Festival or contact the organizers at [email protected] Tags:Jacky YeapRaintown Film Festival