MIFFEST 2026 returns with 65-film lineup.
The Malaysia International Film Festival (MIFFest) has officially revealed the program lineup for its upcoming 9th edition. Running from July 18 to 25, 2026, the festival will showcase 65 films from 35 countries and regions at Immersify Kuala Lumpur, featuring a packed slate of 2 World Premieres, 1 International Premiere, 3 Asian Premieres, 12 Southeast Asian Premieres, and 28 Malaysian Premieres.
Malaysian feature BAGA to open festival as international titles dominate
This year’s festival kicks off with the world premiere of the Malaysian feature BAGA: Tomorrow Belongs To No One, directed by Ariff Zulkarnain. Set in a conservative fishing village in Kuala Terengganu, the film follows the struggles of a local boatman and a batik artisan. Closing the festival is Yellow Letters, the latest drama by director İlker Çatak, which recently secured the Golden Bear at the 76th Berlin International Film Festival.
The festival’s signature programming returns across four main pillars:
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A-Lister: Showcasing acclaimed works from internationally celebrated auteurs.
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Neon: Spotlighting emerging independent filmmakers.
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Manifesto: Presenting thought-provoking documentaries and non-fiction works.
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Malaysian Dispatch: Highlighting the diversity and growth of contemporary homegrown filmmaking.
South Korean auteur LEE Chang-dong and action star Wu Jing to receive top honors
MIFFest will present its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award to legendary South Korean filmmaker LEE Chang-dong. The festival will honor his career by screening two of his most celebrated masterpieces: Peppermint Candy and Oasis.
Announcing the honor during the program lineup press conference, MIFFest President Joanne Goh described Lee as “a filmmaker whose work continues to resonate across cultures and generations through its honesty, compassion, and profound understanding of humanity.”
“His films remind us of cinema’s unique ability to inspire empathy, provoke reflection, and connect us through shared human experiences.”
Additionally, Chinese actor and filmmaker Wu Jing will receive the Excellent Achievement in Film Award. To celebrate his global impact on action cinema, MIFFest will showcase his sweeping wuxia epic, Blades of the Guardians: Wind Rises in the Desert.
New global spotlights introduce Korean and Russian cinema
The 9th edition introduces several new regional programs alongside its traditional partnerships. Hong Kong Cinema in Flux returns with a focus on new-generation directors, headlined by the award-winning Ciao UFO. Meanwhile, New Rhythms of Indian Cinema brings a curated five-film lineup featuring Ramesh Sippy’s legendary masterpiece Sholay and Jury President Anurag Kashyap’s crime drama Black Friday.
New additions to the 2026 program include:
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Korean Cinema: A Culture in Motion: Debuting with Bluefish and Mr. Kim Goes to the Cinema, the latter paying tribute to MIFFest Honorary Chairman Kim Dong-ho.
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Russian Film Week: A curated showcase of five films, including classic masterpieces like The Cranes Are Flying and Andrei Rublev.
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ASEAN On Screen: Returning for its second year to highlight regional storytelling, featuring Malaysia’s mystery drama Tears in Kuala Lumpur.
Outside the theaters, the popular Open Air Cinema will return to the Sunken Garden at MyTOWN Shopping Centre, screening local films and nine short films in collaboration with the Raintown Film Festival.
Anurag Kashyap to lead international jury panel for MGGA 2026
The race for the Malaysia Golden Global Awards (MGGA) 2026 is officially underway, targeting emerging filmmakers with three or fewer narrative feature films. Ten films will compete in the International Competition lineup, including Singapore’s Ah Girl, Taiwan’s Girl, and Malaysia’s darkly comedic road-trip drama, The Waves Will Carry Us. The awards ceremony will take place on July 25, 2026, at the Mega Star Arena, Sungei Wang Plaza.
Acclaimed Indian filmmaker Anurag Kashyap serves as this year’s Jury President. He is joined on the final jury panel by Taiwan’s Midi Z, Thai actor and producer Ananda Everingham, Hong Kong production designer Man Lim-Chung, and Malaysian actress Sharifah Amani.
Pass registration opens with accessible pricing tiers
Public registration for festival access runs from June 9 through July 25, 2026, on a first-come, first-served basis.
| Pass Type | Target Audience | Pricing |
| Media Accreditation | Members of the press | Complimentary |
| Student Pass | Valid students (up to 10 screenings) | RM29 |
| MIFFest Movie Pass | General Public | RM59 |
| Hong Leong Bank Promo | HLB Cardholders | RM49 |
Masterclasses, forums, and full ticketing details will be announced across MIFFest’s official social media channels. For more information, visit www.miffest.com.my
