KUCHING: The White Rajah of Sarawak, the state’s first animated musical feature film, is set for release on July 22, 2028, in conjunction with Sarawak Day.
The film has officially entered production following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Motion Foundry Sdn Bhd and St Joseph’s Private Education Berhad at the Borneo Cultures Museum here Tuesday (May 5).
Motion Foundry director Siew Chung Lee said casting for the animated feature is currently underway, with auditions set to be opened to the public while final selections have yet to be made.
He added that the production team is keen to involve local talent throughout the filmmaking process and continues to welcome applications from interested participants.
Siew added that the project is expected to involve a sizeable creative workforce, while also serving as a platform to nurture local industry talent.
“A film of this scale will require at least 50 people, including animators, character designers, illustrators, background artists, voice actors and composers.
“The project is also focused on developing local creative capacity by prioritising Sarawakian talent wherever possible.
“This is an opportunity to create jobs, train young creatives, and show that a production of this scale can be made here in Sarawak,” he said during the MoU signing.
Motion Foundry executive producer Amy Khiu echoed this sentiment, saying the production hopes to see strong participation from Sarawakians in order to truly reflect a homegrown effort.
“We definitely hope many Sarawakians will join this project so we can proudly say this is Sarawak-made,” she said.
She added that the project originated from an original stage musical created by students and staff of St Joseph’s Private Education Berhad, which received strong audience support and later inspired its transformation into an animated feature.
“It was that feeling of an entire community lifting one story up at the same time that made us realise this needs to be on the big screen.
“For those who are hearing about this project for the very first time, we are turning the original stage musical into a 75-minute animated feature film,” she added.
Khui also said that the story goes beyond a single historical figure.
“It follows James Brooke, a young Englishman who arrived in Sarawak in the 1840s and found his purpose in a land far from home but more importantly, it also tells the story of the people of Sarawak, the Malay, Chinese and Dayak communities—their friendships, loyalty, struggles, and the events that shaped our shared history,” she said.
Under the collaboration, Motion Foundry will lead production, while BorneoTalk will join as a project partner, contributing storytelling expertise and promoting Sarawak’s heritage as part of its 20th anniversary initiatives.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Jason Brooke, a sixth-generation descendant of the Brooke family whose dynasty inspired this film, and Board Member of National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (FINAS), representing FINAS Sarawak, Gregory Wee.
