KUCHING: The WAK Festival 2026 launches its Call for Proposals (CFP) today, inviting creatives, communities and organisations from Malaysia, Brunei, Indonesia, and Singapore to submit ideas for the upcoming edition.
Marking its eighth edition, WAK continues to position itself as Sarawak’s premier open-access, multi-genre festival platform celebrating arts, culture, and lifestyle.
The festival has grown into one of the most anticipated creative events on the state’s calendar, drawing participation from local and regional talents.
Minister for Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Sarawak (MTCP), Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah, highlighted WAK’s growing role in shaping the state’s creative ecosystem.
“During the launch of the previous edition, the Premier described WAK Festival as a flagship celebration of Sarawak’s arts, culture, and lifestyle,” he said during the CFP launch at 11Ridgeway here.
Abdul Karim said the festival continues to showcase Sarawak as a diverse, forward-looking, and creative community, while providing opportunities for new talents to emerge.
Festival director, Donald Tan, explained this year’s theme, ‘Shoots’, symbolises growth, renewal and courageous creativity.
“If roots ground us, shoots carry us forward. They represent the first visible signs of life, with new talents, collaborations, and creative enterprises taking shape across Sarawak,” he said.
Tan added that WAK provides a platform for first-time creators to step forward while inviting established practitioners to mentor and collaborate with emerging talents.
WAK Festival 2026 will take place across multiple locations in the state.
Satellite festivals are scheduled in Sibu from June 12 to 14 and in Miri from June 19 to 21, followed by the month-long Kuching edition from Oct 1 to 31.
Creatives, organisations, and community groups interested in participating are invited to submit proposals via www.wakfestival.com.
