Sarawak’s first animated musical film to hit theatres in 2028
- BT
- 1 day ago
- 3 min read
KUCHING, 5 May 2026: Sarawak took a meaningful step today in preserving its cultural legacy through the magic of animation. Motion Foundry Sdn Bhd and St Joseph’s Private Education Berhad officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the Borneo Cultures Museum Auditorium here this morning, thus kick-starting the production of The White Rajah of Sarawak, which is set to become Sarawak’s first ever animated musical feature film, slated for release on July 22, 2028.
“Bringing The White Rajah of Sarawak to the animated screen is a dream we have been working towards with great care and dedication. This story is one that deserves to be told beautifully, and we are committed to doing it justice through the craft of animation. We are proud to be leading this production and to be working alongside partners who share our passion for storytelling and our love for Sarawak,” said Executive Producer of Motion Foundry Sdn Bhd, Amy Khiu.
As Sarawak’s own animation studio, Motion Foundry brings both the creative capability and the cultural understanding to do this story justice. Joining Motion Foundry as project partner is BorneoTalk, whose two decades of experience in storytelling and promoting Sarawak’s tourism, culture, heritage, and beyond, makes it a natural fit to help bring this story to the widest possible audience. This collaboration also holds special meaning for BorneoTalk, who is undertaking it as part of its 20th Anniversary celebrations.
“Stories like The White Rajah of Sarawak have the power to travel far beyond their origins, and that is exactly what we intend to help make happen. Our role is not just to amplify the film’s reach, but to connect it with the right audiences, build anticipation, and ensure that ‘The White Rajah of Sarawak’ finds its place even beyond our border. We believe in this project, and we are excited to see it succeed,” said BorneoTalk Chief Commercial Officer, Ashley Pan.
Together, BorneoTalk and Motion Foundry are combining their strengths to produce this film. Motion Foundry drives the creative vision and animation production, while BorneoTalk lends its storytelling expertise and its established platform to champion the film and connect it with audiences.
The MoU signing was witnessed by Jason Brooke, a sixth-generation descendant of the Brooke family whose dynasty inspired this film, and Gregory Wee, Board Member of FINAS, representing FINAS Sarawak. Also in attendance at today’s event, Director of Brooke Museums & Brooke Trust, Jason Brooke, CEO of St. Joseph’s Private Schools, Christopher Chua, Senior Assistant of St. Joseph's Private Secondary School (SJPSS) and Music Director of The White Rajah of Sarawak, Benedict Lo, Director at Motion Foundry, Siew Chung Lee, Rector of SJPSS, Fr. Stanley Goh and Principal of SJPSS, Yong Ing Thung.
The White Rajah of Sarawak tells the story of Sarawak and covers local history, culture, and how the Brooke Dynasty began. It follows James Brooke’s arrival in Borneo, his work to stop piracy and slavery, his appointment as Rajah of Sarawak in 1841, and his relationships with local communities. The aim is to build pride in Sarawakian heritage and help younger audiences connect with their own history.
The White Rajah of Sarawak began as an original musical stage production created by the students and staff of St Joseph’s Private Education Berhad, where it was warmly received. Through this animated musical film, that same beloved story is now being brought to the screen. Animation is a universal language. It makes history feel exciting and alive in a format that children and families can watch, fall in love with, and carry with them for life.
Sarawak’s history doesn’t have to stay in the past. With passion, creativity, and the right people behind it, these stories can be shared in ways that future generations will truly love and carry forward. With the MoU now signed, production on “The White Rajah of Sarawak” officially begins, and is slated for release on Sarawak Day 2028!
If you are interested in being a part of this exciting project, reach out to info@motionfoundry.com.my or contact@borneotalk.com.
