JOHOR BAHRU: Game, set… animation! Johor Bahru gears up to host the ASEAN Digital Content Summit (ADCS 2025) from 2–4 September.
Organised by the Ministry of Digital through the Malaysia Digital Economy Corporation (MDEC), in collaboration with the Johor State Government, the summit is set to transform the Persada Johor International Convention Centre into the beating heart of ASEAN’s creative economy.
Timed with Malaysia’s ASEAN Chairmanship 2025, ADCS will bring together more than 50 global thought leaders, over 100 exhibitors, and country pavilions from more than 10 nations, all under one roof. Policymakers, studios, start-ups, investors and creators will unite to script the next chapter in animation, gaming and immersive technology.
The summit opens with the ASEAN Roundtable on 2 September, a high-level dialogue designed to spark regional collaboration in animation, games, and creative technology. Fans of Japanese anime will also find a treat: Koji Morimoto, co-founder of Studio 4°C and one of the creative minds behind Akira, will headline the speaker sessions.
Meanwhile, the Kre8tif! Business Xchange will act as a matchmaking arena for creators, connecting them with broadcasters, distributors, and investors. The exhibition hall promises a visual feast, from new game solutions to immersive interactive content, showcasing the latest from Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, and beyond.
In a nod to talent and research, ADCS 2025 will also feature 50 global technical papers and 60 plus university projects, giving students and young creators a launchpad to shine. The initiative is supported by KL ACM SIGGRAPH and DICE 3.0, ensuring academia meets industry in the most creative of ways.
MDEC CEO Anuar Fariz Fadzil called the summit a “game-changer” adding, “ADCS 2025 marks Johor’s bold leap toward becoming the beating heart of ASEAN’s digital content revolution. By bringing together innovators, storytellers, and tech leaders, Johor is stepping into the spotlight as the epicentre of gaming, animation, and immersive content.”
And it’s not all about business. The summit has a festival flavour, too. Public visitors can look forward to e-sports tournaments, outdoor movie screenings, exclusive giveaways, and family fun at B5 Johor Street Market. The celebrations culminate with the Malaysia Animation Film Festival on 4 September, followed by nationwide screenings at GSC cinemas from 16 October.