Starbucks Malaysia says it has selected 10 Malaysian artists for its 2026 Kopi Creator Kolektif programme and plans a public showcase on May 16 at Starbucks Reserve IOI Mall Damansara.

Starbucks Malaysia said on 21 April 2026 that the group included five musicians and five filmmakers.

The company said the finalists were chosen after an open call earlier this year. It said industry professionals reviewed the submissions and selected 10 participants for a development programme that includes masterclasses and mentorship.

Starbucks Malaysia said the finalists will present original songs and film teasers on May 16 at Starbucks Reserve IOI Mall Damansara. It said one winner from each group will receive a prize valued at RM10,000.

The company said Breaking Music would lead sessions for the music group on brand identity and songwriting. It said the music finalists would also receive studio time and equipment for preparation.

Starbucks Malaysia said Weekend Boys Studio and the Multimedia University Faculty of Cinematic Arts would support the film group through mentorship and development sessions. It said the sessions would focus on storytelling and production.

The company said the winning musician would receive a four-track EP recording deal, and the winning filmmaker would receive production support for an original short film. 

Starbucks Malaysia said  the initiative expanded in 2026 to include filmmakers after starting in late 2025 as a live music platform.