Taiping: A total of 20 short films have been selected as finalists to compete in eight award categories at the Raintown Film Festival (RFF) 2026 which will be held from Sept 4 to 6 at the Paragon Cinema, Taiping Mall here.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, RFF founder Jacky Yeap Swee Leong said the 20 finalists were from a record 152 film entries for the third edition of RFF, marking an increase of almost 48 percent compared to 103 entries last year, indicating positive developments for the festival which was first organised in 2024.
"Behind each number is a filmmaker who believes in a story, an audience who is willing to spend time watching it, volunteers who donate their energy and time, as well as friends who believe this festival deserves a chance," he told Bernama after the opening ceremony of the festival here, last night.
He mentioned that the third edition of RFF also introduced a pilot project known as a 'creative sandbox' involving film students from IACT College. This initiative aims to provide exposure to festival organising and the creative industry for students.
He expressed hope that if successful, the pilot project could evolve into a specific platform for youth or university filmmakers, potentially attracting participation from higher learning institutions across Malaysia.
Meanwhile, Perak Science, Environment and Green Technology Committee chairman Teh Kok Lim highlighted that the growth of RFF could positively impact the tourism sector and local economy by increasing visitor numbers to Taiping.
He noted that such a festival could economically benefit hotels, restaurants, business premises, and tourist locations in the town. "A successful film festival not only benefits filmmakers, but also brings visitors, supports local businesses and opens up new opportunities for Taiping," he said.
Additionally, West Coast Expressway (WCE) chief executive officer Lyndon Alfred Felix remarked on Taiping's special position due to its location along the WCE alignment, which starts from Banting, Selangor and crosses the west coast to its northern entrance in Taiping. "Highways may be our business, but communities are at the heart of what we do. Roads connect places, stories connect people," he said.
RFF is a community-based film festival held in Taiping, celebrating regional heritage, authentic Malaysian storytelling, and new creative talent. RFF 2026 is organised by WuBen Film Magazine and Studio 1914 with strategic support from WCE, while the festival also has backing from the Perak State Government, Port Ipoh, Taiping Member of Parliament, and various industry partners.