A scene from ‘Chili, Garlic and Onion’, one of 10 short film finalists at the festival.
Raintown Film Festival will return for its second edition in September, aimed at promoting the town of Taiping, Perak, through Malaysian cinema.
The programme includes film screenings, film talks and guided tours, offering a fresh, immersive way to experience the charm of “Raintown”, from the screen to the streets.
Building on the momentum of its inaugural edition, the festival continues its mission to discover and explore the town’s rich landscape, history and cultural narratives.
This year’s programme, set for Sept 12 to 14 at Paragon Cinema in Taiping Mall, will showcase four feature films shot in Taiping, each offering a distinct perspective on the town.
Among them is The Gathering, produced by Jin Ong and starring Jack Tan, which beautifully captures the essence of the town.
Meanwhile, murder mystery The Game, directed by Felix Tan, was filmed entirely on Bukit Larut.
The late Mamat Khalid’s classic Rock will be screened as a 20th-anniversary tribute, while The Pirate & Emperor Ship, directed by Khoo Eng Yow and narrated by historian Lee Eng Kew, tells the story of the notorious Perak “Pirate King” Tan Lian Lay.
The festival also presents the top 10 short films, selected from 103 submissions for this year’s Raintown Short Film Competition.
Exploring the theme of “rain” through a variety of genres including narrative, experimental and artificial intelligence-driven storytelling, these shorts represent a new wave of local filmmaking talent.
A scene from short film finalist ‘Where the Fish Looked Up’.
Seven awards will be presented during the festival’s closing night: Best Short Film, Jury Prize, Best Director, Best Script, Best Cinematography, Best Sound and Best Sound Design.
Beyond the screen, the festival offers a special talk titled “Capturing the Memories of Aulong Lama”, featuring writer Uthaya Sankar SB, who returned to his hometown in Aulong Lama to document memories from the 1970s to 1990s.
Audiences can also take part in a three-hour walking tour led by Taiping-born architect Professor Teoh Chee Keong, to uncover the town’s little-known stories and hidden corners.
On the deeper vision behind the event, festival founder Jacky Yeap said: “Taiping is often remembered for its 33 famous ‘firsts’, but there is so much more to this town.
“These include its folk tales, history, and arts and cultural events, such as the Raintree Art Market founded by Ng Leong Wei, or community-driven cultural initiatives by Liew Suet Fun from the Taiping Heritage Society.
“With the efforts of local communities and support from the government, Taiping is more than just a travel destination; it is a town rich in humanity and cultural depth.”
This year, West Coast Expressway (WCE) joins as a strategic partner, underscoring the festival’s shared values of cultural connection and regional storytelling.
“Taiping is a town rich in stories, culture and creative spirit,” said WCE chief executive officer Lyndon Alfred Felix.
“Supporting the Raintown Film Festival is one way we celebrate the heritage of the communities along our expressway.
“At WCE, our role is not just about building roads.
“It is about strengthening connections and preserving the identity of the places we serve,” Felix added.
The 2nd Raintown Film Festival received support from Deputy Education Minister Wong Kah Woh who is Taiping MP, Perak executive councillor Teh Kok Lim, Pokok Assam assemblyman Ong Seng Guan and Dana Kreatif Perak Port Ipoh, in partnership with Finance Ministry under the ArtsFAS programme initiated by Hasanah Foundation.
The three-day event is free.
Audiences are encouraged to pre-register to secure a seat, but walk-ins are also welcome.
For details, visit Raintown Film Festival’s social media pages or call Yeap at 016-540 6581.
