KUALA LUMPUR: Starbucks Malaysia’s Kopi Creator Kolektif (KCK) Class of 2026 culminated in a vibrant showcase featuring 10 emerging Malaysian musicians and filmmakers at Starbucks Reserve® IOI Mall Damansara recently.
The event marked the conclusion of weeks of mentorship and creative development, with finalists presenting original music performances and film teasers before a live audience and a panel of industry professionals.
In a press statement on Friday (June 19), Director of Marketing & Loyalty of Berjaya Starbucks Coffee Company Sdn Bhd, Zakiah Hanim Md Zaki, said the showcase reflected the purpose behind the programme’s creation.
“Seeing the Kopi Creator Kolektif Class of 2026 take the stage was a powerful reminder of why we launched this programme. These creators came into KCK with ideas and stories of their own, and through the showcase, those ideas were experienced by a live audience in a Starbucks coffeehouse,” she said.
Zakiah said Starbucks Malaysia was proud not only of the winners, but also of the growth and creative journeys undertaken by all finalists throughout the programme.
The KCK initiative was established to support emerging Malaysian musicians and filmmakers, providing mentorship, industry exposure, and guidance through collaborations with Breaking Music, Weekend Boys Studio, and Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts.
Following the showcase, musician Suehaila emerged as the winner of the music cohort and secured a recording deal, including the production of a four-track extended play (EP), after impressing judges and audiences with her song ‘Ephemeral Queen’.
Among the film cohort, one of the standout winners was Tanahliat Studios, led by Sarawakian filmmaker Clayvert Unji, who grew up in a coastal town in Sarawak.
The team received a grand prize valued at RM10,000, together with continued mentorship and support to develop their creative work further.
Tanahliat Studios won with ‘Merinsak’ (Hardship), a short film concept following a Sarawakian student in Kuala Lumpur whose desperate journey home for Hari Gawai challenges friendships, values, and personal responsibility.
What distinguished the project throughout the programme was its East Malaysian perspective, exploring contemporary themes of identity, migration, and belonging rather than relying on familiar narratives centred on culture, heritage, or tourism.
Clayvert said the story was inspired by personal experiences and aimed to reflect the realities faced by many Sarawakians living away from home, offering audiences a more intimate portrayal of East Malaysian life.
The KCK Class of 2026 featured music finalists, Akardia, Huey Yeing, Sharkfins, Suehaila, and Thariq Amran, while the film cohort included Batu Belah Productions, C317, Keladak Krunchy, Sudhifilem, and Tanahliat Studios.
Starbucks Malaysia said the programme reinforces the role of its coffeehouses as spaces that encourage creativity, cultural exchange, and meaningful community connections.
