The 3rd China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival has officially returned to Kuala Lumpur, running across two weekends from June 26 to 28 and July 3 to 5, 2026.
The festival is a celebration of cinematic and cultural exchange, offering a diverse lineup of award-winning films from both countries, ranging from action and comedy to fantasy and thrillers.
The event is hosted at the Golden Screen Cinemas (GSC) Mid Valley Megamall, bringing together filmmakers, industry leaders, government representatives and film enthusiasts to strengthen cross-border ties through cinematic arts and foster youth filmmaker collaboration.
The opening ceremony on June 26, 2026 at GSC Mid Valley Megamall was attended by National Film Development Corporation Malaysia (Finas) chief executive officer Dato Azmir Saifuddin Mutalib, China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival organising committee chairman Aron Koh Kang Boon and Golden Screen Cinemas head of exhibition Pan Vui Shang, who jointly officiated the festival’s launch.
Speaking at the launch, Koh highlighted the event’s commitment to cultural exchange and mutual learning. He said the festival curates films that strike a balance between artistic excellence and broad audience appeal.
The curated lineup features a mix of seven Chinese and Malaysian titles.
On the Malaysian side, the festival lineup includes thriller Indera and family comedy Housekeeping?
The Chinese selection features Kung Fu Juniors, the animated blockbuster Boonie Bears: Guardian Code, the comedy hit Successor starring Shen Teng and Ma Li, historical drama Dead to Rights, and the fantasy action thriller A Writer’s Odyssey 2.
The festival opened with Kungfu Juniors, directed by acclaimed Hong Kong filmmaker Ko Chi Sum. Adapted from the stage production Foshan Kung Fu Juniors, the film stars veteran actors Sammo Hung, Michelle Yim, Chu Mimi and Peng Chiquan, alongside Malaysian actor Yuan Teng, who secured his role through an audition process.
Ahead of its theatrical release, Kungfu Juniors has attracted international attention through a series of festival accolades. The film won Best Film at the 2025 Toronto Chinese Film Festival and Maple Leaf Awards, while its theme song received Best Film Theme Song honours. Newcomer Ng Man Leung was named Best Newcomer, and Ko received the Best Cross Media Producer Award.
The film was also selected for the 62nd Asia-Pacific Film Festival, where it received the Asia Pacific Chinese Cultural Communication Award, and later won both Best Film and Best Director at the 13th Vancouver Chinese Film Festival.
The festival goes beyond screenings to encourage joint film productions, youth filmmaker exchanges and technological collaborations.
The organisers acknowledged the key contributors to the success of the China-Malaysia Film Culture Festival, specifically acknowledging its cultural partners Shiguang Xingyu and the Asia International Arts Festival, and sponsors like Iseigur and Dato Seri Dr.Tan Fong Fook.
Tickets are priced at RM15 and are available through official GSC website and mobile app.
