Edufest 2026 · Future World
Edufest Cultural Challenge 2026
Teams research and present a cultural tradition through live storytelling, music, dance, spoken poetry or a safe arts demonstration, with clear context, credited sources and respectful representation.
- Who
- Category A: ages 10–12 · Category B: ages 13–17
- Team
- 3–5 students from the same school and category + 1 advisor teacher
- Fee
- Free
- Organiser
- SDG Education Group Sdn. Bhd.
Categories
- Category A — Primary: age 10–12
- Category B — Secondary: age 13–17
Age is counted on 31 December 2026. Open to government, aided, private and international schools in Malaysia and abroad. Team entry: 3–5 students from the same school and category plus one advisor teacher. Each student joins only one team. School and parent or guardian permission is required.
How to take part
1. Register for Edufest
The advisor teacher signs in with Google and registers the school contingent. Student entry is free.
2. Form a team
In the School Panel, select 3–5 students from the same school and age category for one Cultural Challenge team entry.
3. Complete performance details
Add the synopsis, cultural sources, member roles, props, technical needs, audio details, permissions and declarations.
4. Perform live
Allow 2 minutes to prepare, perform for 5–7 minutes including a 1–2 minute cultural explanation, answer up to 3 minutes of questions, then clear the stage in 2 minutes.
Performance format
- Present one cultural tradition through live storytelling, music, dance, spoken poetry or a safe arts demonstration. The 5–7 minute performance includes a 1–2 minute cultural explanation, followed by up to 3 minutes of questions.
- Teams have 2 minutes to prepare and 2 minutes to clear the stage. All members attend and contribute.
- Submit a synopsis of up to 300 words, credible cultural sources, member roles, props, costumes, stage arrangement and technical requirements.
- Bahasa Melayu or English may be used. Translate important phrases in the synopsis. Backing audio must be MP3 or WAV, no more than 50 MB, with a clear cue point.
Judging criteria
Each criterion is scored 0–5 and scaled to its weight, for 100 marks in total; multiple judges are averaged and the final mark is rounded to two decimals. Ties compare cultural understanding and context, then respect and accuracy of representation, then performance delivery.
Culture, originality, AI & safety
- Credit sources and permissions for music, images, scripts, interviews and cultural materials. Explain any creative adaptation clearly and avoid stereotypes or sacred elements without appropriate context or permission.
- AI may support brainstorming, language review or research organisation only when declared and independently checked. AI-generated voice or video may not replace the live performance, explanation or answers.
- Main dialogue, singing and narration must be live. Recorded backing audio may support the performance but must not carry the principal performance.
- No fire, smoke, spilled liquids, powder, real weapons, sharp objects, live animals, risky acrobatics or unsafe lifts. Props and costumes must pass the event-day safety check.
Awards
Champion, 1st Runner-up and 2nd Runner-up are proposed for each category. Results appear on the Edufest results page and count toward school points and e-certificates.
The rules document is pending director confirmation. The closing date and time, registration link, performance dates and exact location, contact details, prize values, certificate eligibility and results date are pending official confirmation.