Kota Kinabalu: Kre8tif! East Sabah 2026 is being held in Kota Kinabalu for the first time, offering local creators in Sabah a valuable platform to connect, learn and grow within the creative industry.
Organised by the Sabah Creative Economy and Innovation Centre (Scenic), the event marks a significant step in expanding opportunities for East Malaysian talents, particularly those interested in animation, digital content and creative technology.
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Carrying the theme “Kre8tif! East: Shaping the Next Generation of Creators” and the tagline “Accelerating Borneo’s Creative Future,” the event aims to equip creators with industry knowledge, professional networks and opportunities to advance their careers.
Following the success of its previous edition in Sarawak, Kre8tif! East has expanded to Sabah to reach a wider pool of local talent and further strengthen the region’s growing creative ecosystem.
The three-day event, which runs until May 8, features a variety of programmes tailored for aspiring creators, students and industry professionals.
Among the activities are talks and knowledge-sharing sessions by local and international speakers, business matching sessions involving investors and industry stakeholders, as well as pitching and portfolio review sessions for creators.
Participants are also able to take part in workshops focusing on animation, visual effects (VFX) and digital content creation. In addition, the event includes exhibitions showcasing creative works and innovative projects.
More than 200 local and international participants are attending the programme, including industry players, students and creative professionals. Over 20 exhibitors from domestic and international markets are also participating in the event.
Scenic Chief Executive Officer Mohd Lan described the event as an important milestone for the development of Sabah’s creative industry.
“This marks a significant moment of progress for Sabah. Our continued efforts are shaping a more connected and accessible ecosystem, where talents, creative communities and innovators can engage with industry, build meaningful networks and scale their work locally.
“This reflects how opportunities are no longer distant, but are increasingly being built and strengthened here at home, reinforcing our long-term commitment to a sustainable and competitive creative economy for Sabah,” he said.
Kre8tif! East Sabah 2026 aims to nurture local talent, strengthen industry collaboration and create greater opportunities for Sabah’s growing creative community.
Scenic also expressed appreciation to the Sabah Ministry of Education, Science and Technology for supporting the event.
The programme is further supported through collaborations with strategic partner Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), ecosystem partners National Entrepreneurship Institute (INSKEN), Institute for Development Studies (IDS) and the Sabah Convention Bureau, as well as support partners including Sabah Tourism Board, Sabah Net Cyberview, sponsors and other partners.
