KUCHING – Sarawak Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas officially opened the Borneo Animation and Games Festival (BAGFest) 2026 in Kuching on Friday, representing Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg.
Uggah also delivered the Premier’s speech at the event, in which Abang Johari described BAGFest as more than an entertainment-focused festival.
He said the event was intended to serve as a platform connecting talent, technology, industry, investment and the wider community as Sarawak develops its digital creative economy.
In the speech, Abang Johari said BAGFest supports Sarawak’s ambition to establish itself as a digital creative hub in Malaysia and the wider region.
He said sectors including animation, digital games, film, immersive media and digital content have developed beyond their traditional role as entertainment industries.
According to him, they can also contribute to employment, investment, intellectual property development and the international promotion of local culture.
Sarawak’s cultural heritage, biodiversity, communities and way of life were identified as potential sources of creative inspiration. The Premier said these characteristics could help local creators develop content with international appeal.
He also stressed the need for a stronger ecosystem to support the growth of the creative sector. This includes developing talent, increasing exposure to industry, creating opportunities for collaboration and improving access to employers, investors and markets.
The speech highlighted the importance of cooperation between government, industry, academic institutions and the community in building that ecosystem.
Abang Johari said Sarawak’s creative professionals could potentially contribute to projects in major international markets, including Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Tokyo, Seoul and Europe.
He said the priority was to ensure local talent was adequately prepared and connected with opportunities while providing platforms where their work could gain exposure.
Young people attending BAGFest were encouraged to use the festival as an opportunity to engage directly with industry participants.
The Premier urged them to present their portfolios, take part in workshops and sharing sessions, and establish professional networks.
He also called on young people to consider themselves potential participants in the creative economy rather than simply consumers of digital entertainment.
“Don’t see yourself as just a consumer of games, films and animations. See yourself as a creator, producer, founder and future industry leader,” he said.
The Premier added that Sarawak needed the creativity, courage and ideas of its younger generation as the state seeks to expand its role in the digital economy.
BAGFest 2026 brings together young people, content creators, industry representatives, investors and members of the community.
The festival is intended to create opportunities for local talent to gain exposure, develop connections and engage with the broader digital creative sector.
The event also provides a meeting point between emerging creators and established industry participants, potentially helping local talent better understand career, collaboration and market opportunities within the sector.
With animation, games and other forms of digital content increasingly connected to technology, intellectual property and global markets, the festival forms part of Sarawak’s broader effort to strengthen its digital creative economy and provide a platform for home-grown talent.
