The fourth edition of the Cahaya XR Mentorship Programme returns in 2026. This year, in partnership with MDEC, the programme is offering seed funding of RM5,000 to selected teams or businesses.
Cahaya XR StoryLabs is a capacity-building initiative designed to develop Malaysia's next generation of immersive storytellers. Produced by Maitree, the programme provides artists and community members with the opportunity to embark on an intensive learning journey in Extended Reality (XR) storytelling, with a specific focus on creating story experiences in Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR) to highlight and preserve local narratives.
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In alignment with Visit Malaysia 2026, this year’s edition positions immersive storytelling as a future-facing cultural bridge that amplifies Penang’s living heritage for both local communities and international audiences. As Malaysia prepares to welcome the world, Cahaya XR StoryLabs invites creators to reimagine how stories of place, memory and identity can be experienced through emerging technologies.
This year’s mentorship revolves around the theme of Inheritance—exploring how Penang’s living heritage can be passed on, transmitted and shared through XR storytelling. Participants will be encouraged to work closely with communities, cultural practitioners and sites of significance, creating immersive works that honour tradition while engaging contemporary audiences in new and meaningful ways.
Programme Partner
What's different this year?
What’s in it for you?
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Access to three online masterclasses (attend at least one to qualify)
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The opportunity to pitch your XR prototype idea to a panel of experienced XR artists and receive feedback
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RM 5,000 seed funding awarded to three selected teams or businesses only
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RM 5,000 Unity development support per selected teams or businesses only
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Access to local & international mentors
Who is it for? Artists or creators interested in:
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Building a virtual, augmented or mixed reality experience.
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Stories of transmission (cultural practices, skills, or traditions passed down through generations).
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Narratives centred on living history and heritage.
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This capacity-building program is initiated by MDEC to bridge the gap between arts and technology, expanding the world of XR storytelling in the region.
If you are interested in building a Virtual Reality or Augmented reality that tells a story of transmission, a practice that is passed down from generation to generation or anything regarding living history. Get in touch with us now!
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Three online XR masterclasses
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Prototype pitch (Participation from individuals or teams is accepted at the pitching stage, with the requirement to formalise a business entity only if their project is selected for XR residency and mentorship.)
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Seed funding of RM 5,000 + other supports (three selected teams or businesses only)
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Two-day XR residency In George Town (three selected teams only)
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Six-month mentorship & prototype development
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Industry showcase
Masterclass details
Introduction to XR Storytelling
Friday 3rd April: 10 am to 4 pm (Online)
This introductory masterclass explores how storytelling evolves when audiences move from watching a story to experiencing it from within.
Participants will gain a practical introduction to Extended Reality (XR) storytelling across Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR) and Mixed Reality (MR). The session introduces key narrative concepts such as presence, immersion, point of view and audience embodiment, examining how immersive media reshapes the relationship between story and audience.
Through case studies from XR, interactive media and digital heritage projects, participants will explore how immersive storytelling differs from traditional linear formats such as film or theatre.
The session will also explore how local stories, memories and living heritage can inspire immersive narratives, with a focus on ethical and community-centred storytelling approaches that emphasise collaboration and co-creation.
*FREE* Admission; open to public.
Designing immersive narratives: Interaction, Space & Agency
Saturday 4th April: 10 am to 4 pm (Online)
This masterclass focuses on how immersive experiences are designed once a story moves into spatial and interactive environments.
Participants will explore how narrative unfolds when audiences can move through space, interact with environments and influence the story. The workshop examines two key approaches to immersive storytelling: fully virtual worlds experienced through VR headsets, and location-based narratives where stories unfold in real-world environments through AR, mobile devices or mixed reality installations.
Drawing from XR, games and immersive theatre, participants will explore key design principles including spatial storytelling, environmental narrative design, audience agency and interactive structures.
Through guided exercises, participants will map a user journey, exploring how movement, interaction and choice shape an immersive narrative experience.
XR Production and Prototyping
Sunday 5th April: 10 am to 4 pm (Online)
This masterclass focuses on the practical and technical execution of XR storytelling, guiding participants through the process of transforming an immersive story idea into a working prototype. The session introduces the XR production pipeline, from spatial scripting and world-building to interaction design, testing and deployment.
Participants will gain insight into common XR production approaches and tools, including game engines, 360° production workflows and WebAR platforms, while exploring practical methods for rapidly prototyping immersive ideas. The workshop will also introduce how emerging tools, including AI-assisted workflows, can support early concept visualisation and prototype development. Emphasis is placed on realistic scoping, technical decision-making and building pitch-ready prototypes for immersive storytelling projects.
*FREE* Admission; open to public.
Learning outcomes:
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Understand the fundamentals of XR storytelling across VR, AR and MR platforms.
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Learn how presence, immersion and point of view shape audience experience in immersive media.
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Analyse examples of immersive narrative projects across XR and interactive storytelling.
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Understand how immersive storytelling differs from linear film and traditional narrative formats.
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Recognise how audience participation and agency can influence immersive narrative experiences.
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Identify story ideas that could translate into XR narrative experiences.
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Explore how local stories and living heritage can inspire immersive narratives developed through ethical, community-centred collaboration.
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Introduces community centered approaches, emphasizing co-creation rather than extraction. Using examples such as community-based projects, participants will explore how technology can support meaningful cultural inheritance.
Learning outcomes:
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Understand how immersive narratives can be designed within VR environments and location-based storytelling experiences.
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Explore the principles of spatial storytelling and environmental narrative design.
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Analyse how audience agency, participation and movement influence immersive experiences.
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Understand the role of branching narratives, choice and consequence in interactive storytelling.
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Learn how environment and place shape location-based immersive narratives.
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Map a user journey through an immersive narrative experience.
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Develop a structured concept for an immersive XR storytelling project.
*FREE* Admission; open to public.
Learning outcomes:
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Understand the XR production pipeline - from pre-production and technical planning through to build, testing and deployment.
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Compare technical pathways (Unity VR builds, 360° workflows, WebAR and lightweight MR) and select the most suitable approach for their concept and budget.
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Learn the fundamentals of immersive world-building - environment design, lighting, spatial audio, interaction triggers and user flow.
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Understand hardware and platform considerations (headsets, mobile devices, capture equipment) and how these shape production decisions.
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Explore practical prototyping methods, including low-fidelity mockups, early interaction testing and AI-assisted concept visualisation where appropriate.
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Develop a structured production roadmap including team roles, workflow, timeline and budget considerations.
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Prepare ideas for a clear, pitch-ready prototype plan that translates the theme of Inheritance into an executable immersive experience.