The Raintown Film Festival returns for its second edition from 12 to 14 September 2025 at Paragon Cinema Taiping Mall. Aimed at promoting Taiping through Malaysian cinema, the three-day event is free and open to all. Audiences are encouraged to pre- register to secure a seat, but walk-ins are also welcome. The programme includes film screenings, film talks, and guided tours, offering a fresh and 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 rich landscape, history, and cultural narratives of Taiping through Malaysian cinema. This year’s programme features 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 Taiping town. 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 proudly presents the top 10 short films, selected from 103 submissions to this year’s Raintown Short Film Competition. Exploring the theme of “Rain” through a variety of genres including narrative, experimental, and AI-driven storytelling, these shorts represent a new wave of local filmmaking talent. 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 is based in Selangor and returning to his hometown, Aulong Lama in Taiping, to document memories from the 1970s to 1990s through his camera. Audiences can also take part in a three-hour Taiping Walking Tour led by Taiping-born architect Professor Teoh Chee Keong. This tour will uncover little-known stories and hidden corners of Taiping town.
Festival founder Jacky Yeap explained the deeper vision behind the event: “Taiping is often remembered for its 33 famous ‘firsts’, but there is so much more to this town, including its folk tales, its history, and its 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 definitely more than just a travel destination. It is a town rich in humanity and cultural depth.”
This year’s edition is made possible through the support of key public and private partners. The West Coast Expressway (WCE) joins as a strategic partner, underscoring the festival’s shared values of cultural connection and regional storytelling. Stretching from Banting in Selangor to Taiping in Perak, WCE connects towns along its route while also weaving together the people, arts, histories, and deep cultural roots of the communities it touches. WCE CEO Lyndon Alfred Felix stated: “Taiping is a town rich in stories, culture, and creative spirit. Supporting the Raintown Film Festival is one way we celebrate the heritage of the communities along our expressway. At West Coast Expressway, our role is not just about building roads. It is about strengthening connections and preserving the identity of the places we serve.”
The 2nd Raintown Film Festival receives vital support from Deputy Minister of Education and Member of Parliament for Taiping YB Wong Kah Woh, Perak EXCO YB Teh Kok Lim, Pokok Assam assemblyman YB Ong Seng Guan, and Dana Kreatif Perak Port Ipoh, in partnership with the Ministry of Finance under the ArtsFAS programme initiated by Yayasan Hasanah, along with support from Sustainable Tourism Malaysia, West Coast Expressway, and various sponsors and partners, which has made it possible for the event to be successfully held.
Event details:
🗓️ 12th-14th September 2025
📍 Paragon Cinema Taiping Mall
🎞️ Free Admission (Redeem your admission ticket here. )
Programme schedule:
12th Sep 2025
8PM – 830PM | Opening Ceremony
830PM – 11PM | Opening Film: The Gathering by Chang Ching Feng
13th Sep 2025
11AM – 12PM | Film Talk: Capturing the Memories of Aulong Lama
1PM – 230PM | Film Screening: Raintown Short Film Competition Set A
3PM – 430PM | Film Screening: Raintown Short Film Competition Set B
5PM – 7PM | Film Screening: The Game by Felix Tan
14th Sep 2025
9AM – 12PM | Discover Taiping: A Walking Tour (Limited 20 Pax)
2PM – 4PM | Film Screening: The Pirate & The Emperor’s Ship by Khoo Eng Yow
430PM – 630PM | Closing Film: Rock by Mamat Khalid
630PM – 7PM | Closing & Award Ceremony
For more information, please follow Raintown Film Festival Facebook , or contact Jacky Yeap at 016-5406581.