By Rosli Mansor Ahmad Razali
TAIPING: A new generation of Malaysian filmmakers now has a platform to showcase their talent through a collaboration among IACT College, the Raintown Film Festival 2026, and the West Coast Expressway (WCE) via the “Raintown Horizons: The IACT × WCE Student Cinematic Showcase”.
The national-level programme is held in conjunction with Visit Malaysia 2026 and focuses on producing short films rooted in authentic local stories.
Centred on the theme “After the Rain”, students are challenged to create films that highlight Malaysia’s culture, communities, and everyday experiences, with WCE naturally integrated into the narrative as a symbol of journey and connection.
The initiative also serves as a real industry platform, guiding students through the full filmmaking process from ideation and scriptwriting to production and final editing.
IACT College chief executive officer Timothy Chan said the programme provides real industry exposure while helping students build stronger portfolios before graduation.
West Coast Expressway Sdn Bhd chief executive officer Lyndon Alfred Felix said the collaboration emphasises not only connectivity but also the development of young creative talent.
Raintown Film Festival founder Jacky Yeap said the initiative opens wider opportunities for emerging filmmakers to showcase their work and potential.
Selected films will be screened at the third Raintown Film Festival in September 2026 at several locations in Taiping, including Paragon Cinema (Taiping Mall), Bukit Larut and Jalan Panggung Wayang.
The programme is expected to strengthen Malaysia’s local filmmaking ecosystem in line with Visit Malaysia 2026.
