KUALA LUMPUR: Tanahliat Studios, led by Iban director Clayvert Unji, emerged as the winning filmmaking team in Starbucks Malaysia’s Kopi Creator Kolektif (KCK) Class of 2026 with their teaser Merinsak (Hardship).
Rooted in the experience of leaving home and navigating the tension between ambition, family and belonging, Merinsak follows Pam, a student living in Kuala Lumpur whose desperate attempt to return to Sarawak for Gawai Dayak pushes her and her friends into a plan that tests their morals, friendship and sense of responsibility.
The teaser was presented at the KCK Showcase held at Starbucks Reserve® IOI Mall Damansara on 16 May 2026, where finalists of KCK Class of 2026 unveiled their projects to a live audience before winners were selected.
The KCK Class of 2026 featured 10 finalists comprising five emerging musicians and five filmmaking teams who spent several weeks refining their projects before presenting their work to a live audience. The winners – one musician and one filmmaker – were selected by a panel of industry professionals based on their ideas, presentations, growth throughout the programme and audience votes, with each receiving a grand prize valued at RM10,000.
The film finalists included Batu Belah Productions, C317, Keladak Krunchy, Sudhifilem and Tanahliat Studios, while the music finalists comprised Akardia, Huey Yeing, Sharkfins, Suehaila and Thariq Amran.
Kopi Creator Kolektif was launched by Starbucks Malaysia as a creative platform designed to support emerging Malaysian musicians and filmmakers. With support from Breaking Music, Weekend Boys Studio and Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts, mentors and industry professionals worked closely with the 10 finalists to refine their craft, helping musicians sharpen their sound and stage presence while guiding filmmakers in developing concepts that could connect with audiences.
“KCK came at a time when I was still finding my footing after film school, and it gave me hope that there are platforms for young creatives to take a real step forward,” said Clayvert, a graduate of Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts. His experiences of living away from home for more than half a decade have shaped his interest in stories about migration, friendship, place and belonging—themes reflected in Merinsak.
“This win gives us the opportunity to take Merinsak further, while telling a story that comes from a very personal place. As an Iban Sarawakian living in Kuala Lumpur, I wanted to reflect East Malaysian experiences beyond the usual lens of culture, heritage or tourism.”
He added that the mentorship programme encouraged him to trust his own perspective and push the story beyond familiar narratives.
“Through KCK, I was encouraged not to overthink or limit the story to what feels familiar, but to trust my perspective and push it further. Most importantly, I’m grateful to my crew for shaping this vision with me.”
Tanahliat Studios is led by Clayvert as director, alongside producer “Kiwi” Ang, co-producer Dania Irdina, editor Rue Feng Wen, director of photography Jenn Tan and production designer Vyl Chang.
According to mentor Adam Zainal, a film director and alumnus of Multimedia University’s Faculty of Cinematic Arts, the filmmakers stood out for the authenticity of their storytelling.
“For the film cohort, what stood out was the uniqueness and honesty of their stories,” he said. “The filmmakers brought ideas rooted in their own communities, observations and personal journeys.”
Musician Suehaila emerged as the winner of the music cohort and secured a recording deal that includes the production of a four-track EP.
For Tanahliat Studios, the win provides an opportunity to further develop Merinsak into a completed short film and bring its Gawai Dayak-inspired story to a wider audience.
