The Colour Thief is Malaysia’s first AI-animated mental health awareness short film, created through a three-way CSR collaboration between Kode Digital, SENTRAL College Penang, and Befrienders Penang. More than a film, it’s our way of showing how AI can be used responsibly to create real social impact—without replacing the human heart behind the work.
Why Kode Digital started this project
At Kode Digital, we’ve always believed CSR can go beyond donations or one-off volunteering. We wanted to contribute using the skills we already have: storytelling, healthcare communication, and digital content that reaches people where they are—online.
Mental health was the natural focus. As a team that works deeply in the healthcare industry, we see how health is never just physical. When mental health is struggling, everything else gets affected too. And with mental health challenges becoming more serious worldwide, we felt this was a message worth pushing in a way that young people would actually watch and share.
Why we collaborated with SENTRAL College Penang
We partnered with SENTRAL College Penang because we wanted this to be a real-world learning experience, not just a “student project.” Our goal was to share practical AI knowledge and guide students on how to integrate AI properly in professional work—how to prompt, iterate, refine, and maintain quality.
This project also carries a bigger message: AI is not here to replace humans. Used well, AI helps people work more efficiently and unlock new creative possibilities—but the direction, sensitivity, and storytelling still need humans.
Why we worked with Befrienders Penang
Because the topic is mental health, we knew we needed a partner who truly understands the community and the realities on the ground. Befrienders Penang brought that perspective. Their work—supporting people in distress through non-judgmental listening—helped us shape the story in a way that’s respectful, relatable, and grounded in real experiences.
Why the story is set in Penang
We chose Penang as the setting to make the film feel close to home. This collaboration is based in Penang, and we wanted the Penang community to see familiar places, familiar vibes, and feel like the story could happen to someone they know.
Who the film is for
The primary audience is young adults aged 18–35—people who consume most of their content on social media, and who may be silently dealing with stress, anxiety, burnout, or depression. Animation lets us talk about heavy topics in a way that feels safer, less confronting, and easier to share.
How we used AI in production
We created the characters, settings, and animation using AI tools—primarily Gemini, OpenArt, and Freepik. AI was also used to support parts of the creative process such as the storyline development, Malaysian-accent voiceover direction, and soundtrack generation. Throughout the project, we focused on using AI as a tool while keeping human judgment and sensitivity at the centre.
Timeline and what we learned
The project started in November 2025 and was officially launched on 29 January 2026.
We initially forecasted a one-month production timeline, but the reality was tougher. There were many obstacles—especially the need for repeated regeneration and refinement to make the visuals consistent and the story stronger. Due to unexpected circumstances, we completed the film by mid of January 2026.
The launch of the short film
The short film was launched at SENTRAL College Penang, with the support of key partners and guests including YABhg Puan Tan Lean Kee (wife of the Penang Chief Minister). Their presence reinforced the importance of mental wellness and community-based advocacy.
Watch and share
If you haven’t watched The Colour Thief yet, we hope you’ll take a few minutes to view it—and share it with someone who might need the reminder that it’s okay not to be okay, and it’s okay to seek help.
Need someone to talk to?
Befrienders Penang provides confidential emotional support.
Call: 04-2910100
Singapore
Australia