After the powerful and infectious energy on Day 1 of ZafigoX 2025 Acceleration, where we heard from women who broke boundaries and continue to challenge the limits of what’s expected, we settled into the spirit of reclaiming space on Day 2. It was exciting to see a majority of returning attendees from Day 1, plus some new faces who were joining us for the first time. Plus, thanks to our sponsors Maybank and Berjaya, as well as Yayasan Hasanah, Talentcorp, and Volvo, ZafigoX 2025 became an inspiring success.

The stripes we carry: Finding your voice

We kicked day two off with filmmaker Amanda Nell Eu on stage, beginning with a trailer of her debut film, Tiger Stripes. She then shared her journey of finding her creative voice—how she found her spark through her love for gore, horror, and all things creepy. The takeaway: know who you are, know what you want to say, and know your voice.

Reclaiming the narrative: Breaking free from media bias

Shenelle Rodrigo took the mic next, sharing how her travels around the circumference of her home island, Sri Lanka, changed how the world viewed her country. She saw how Sri Lanka was portrayed in the news during the 2019 Easter attacks, and wanted to change the narrative as it wasn’t the whole truth. Shenelle showed the world the beauty of Sri Lanka from her adventures, helping tourists see a perspective that was not shown on traditional media, earning recognition from the Sri Lanka government, the hospitality industry, and internationally.

Voices unbound: Creating through words & art

Next, we had the creative panel Voices Unbound: Creating Through Words & Art, with Charis Loke, Florentyna Leow, and Melizarani Selva, who each brought us through their work and creative journeys. Devina Sivagurunathan, as panel moderator, tied it all together by showing how different forms of creativity can transform our perspective of the world, help us relate though shared experiences, and be points of connection for strangers.

Mansau-Ansau: A journey without a destination

“Kopisanangan!” Yee I-Lann greeted us in the Dusun language as she walked on stage. I-Lann’s art bridges the traditional with the contemporary, while uplifting local communities. She showed us her work with the indigenous women of Sabah and the art she co-created with them. Using something as simple as the tikar (woven mat), I-Lann transformed a functional item into an art piece that brings Borneo to the world, and shows us that the tikar is more than a mat—it is a place of gathering and connection.

How to build a girl

Melizarani T.Selva’s spoken word performance, how to build a girl, took us on a emotive journey. We were taken through the highs and lows of the coming-of-age of a young girl, then through a woman’s poignant experience of motherhood. Words cannot describe how Melizarani’s unapologetic, candid, and incredibly soul-stirring performance moved us.

Food stories in a divided world

After lunch, we talked about more food with Dr Elaine Pratley, who explained to us how our everyday nasi lemak stall aunty can be a peacebuilder. She described how everyone can be a peacebuilder and how food is used as a tool for connection—and it is something innately human. The session ended with attendees sharing stories of their own, on how food has connected them with strangers during their travels.

Wander women: Claiming the world, one journey at a time

Speaking of travel, we then heard from three unique adventurers, Anita Yusof, Aida Ihsani, and Prestine Davekhaw, on the panel Wander Women: Claiming the World, One Journey at a Time. In an uncanny but humorous way, panel moderator, Rafidah Abdullah, found a common thread that spurred the passion for travel for these three women—the men who ‘broke’ them at the time. For all three of these amazing adventurers, travel has been a way to reclaim and find themselves in their own ways.

The ghosts your grandmother warned you about

Then, we came to the most anticipated part of the day—a performance by The Wayang Women, titled Penanggal & The Ghosts Your Grandmother Warned You About. It was incredibly enthralling to witness a very talented all-women wayang kulit troupe. It kept everyone on the edge of their seats, literally and metaphorically, and it was the perfect culmination to the first half of Day 2 of ZafigoX 2025.

Slowing down, being mindful & building confidence

  • Painting with Light & Shadow: A Cyanotype Print Workshop
  • Painting with Light & Shadow: A Cyanotype Print Workshop
  • Drawing on the Road (Travel Sketching for Beginners)
  • Colour & Style Harmony: Capsule Wardrobe Building
  • Little Known Travel Hacks for Zero-worry Travels

A quick tea break later, we began the first workshop session, with four running concurrently. Participants got creative and hands-on with Cyanotype Prints and Travel Sketching. Besides picking up a new skill, both sessions taught attendees how to slow down, be mindful, and stop worrying about being perfect. The process is what matters.

Those looking for a confidence boost through their wardrobe joined the Capsule Wardrobe Building workshop, while others gained insider tips on Travel Perks they could use to their advantage and learnt the importance of travel coverage.

Telling stories through puppetry and the body

  • A Wayang Kulit Workshop: Rebel Stories, Moving Shadows
  • Self-Defence Essentials for Women on the Go
  • Self-Defence Essentials for Women on the Go
  • Ronggeng Workshop: Inang & Joget

In the second series of workshops, The Wayang Women taught curious students how to craft their own puppets and tell stories behind the Wayang Kulit screen. Some attendees built confidence with an essential Self-Defence workshop, while others got their hips moving with Inang and Joget.

A women-led festival that renews ‘acceleration’

At the end of Day 2, the renewed motivation to ‘Reclaim Space’ was palpable, as well as the energy to continually ‘Accelerate’ beyond Menara KEN. To warm our hearts further, many vowed to return next year.

To make the experience extra sweet, thanks to our Lucky Draw sponsors, participants who filled up our ZafigoX 2025 feedback form stand a chance to win stays at M World Hotel and Hilton Kuching. Other prizes include passes to GSC’s Getha Lux Suites at Aurum TRX or Velvet Cinemas, and products from Larney and Mangosteen.

If you made it to our women-led festival, we’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for spending your weekend with us. See you again next year!