General Information

Bali INternational
Film Festival

Balinale is more than just a film festival, it’s a dynamic platform for collaboration and innovation, fostering growth in Indonesian film, television, and the broader creative economy.

As Indonesia’s international film festival and only Oscar®-qualifying event, Balinale showcases bold narratives, visionary directors, and brings the power of cinema to inspire, challenge, and unite. Every year, creatives from around the globe present their work in an immersive setting of modern cinemas, as well as traditional open-air. Whether you’re here to discover groundbreaking films, engage in thought-provoking discussions, or network with global creatives, Balinale offers a cinematic experience unlike any other.

Experience the Magic of Cinema

Stories that stays with you

Immerse yourself in stories from around the world, filmmaker conversations, and unforgettable events under Bali’s starlit skies.

Bali International Film Festival is held at Icon Bali Mall, Cinema XXI at its home in the coastal community of Sanur.

Balinale’s 2026

Film Selections

    • Short Narrative

    Yuck & Yum!

    Kurnia Alexander

    (Indonesia)

    • Short Documentary

    Who Return To The Fire, Toward The Eternal

    Yuliana Putra

    (Indonesia)

    • Short Animation

    White Hare

    Inkyu Jee

    (South Korea)

    • Short Documentary

    Where Is Home?

    Lamtiar Simorangkir

    (Indonesia)

    • Short Narrative

    What Makes You Stronger

    James D Bowen

    (Australia)

    • Short Narrative

    Vultures

    Dian Weys

    (France, South Africa)

    • Short Narrative

    Void

    Javier Cano Larumbe

    (Spain)

    • Short Documentary

    Voices From The Abyss

    Irving Serrano & Victor Rejón

    (Mexico)

    • Short Animation

    Venezia Diorama

    Nicolas Piret

    (Belgium)

    • Short Documentary

    Trunyan – The Village of Silent Souls

    Damien Lafon

    (France)

    • Short Documentary

    To Home

    Gilang Nuasafitra Kresnawan

    (Indonesia)

    • Short Animation

    This Is Your Captain Speaking

    Nienke Deutz & Digna Van Der Put

    (Belgium, Netherlands)

    • Short Animation

    There Once Was A Tiger

    Marina Verik & Dmitry Mosyagin

    (Russia)

    • Short Narrative

    The Unnsent Depth

    Muhammad Labib Pratama

    (Indonesia)

    • Short Narrative

    The Spectacle

    Bálint Kenyeres

    (France, Hungary)

    • Short Animation

    The Sky Was Candy

    Anh Tú Nguyen

    (Denmark)

FAQ

Balinale is committed to presenting a program that celebrates storytelling that inspires artists and audiences and illustrates creative freedom and expression.

Balinale (Bali International Film Festival) was founded in 2007 by Deborah Gabinetti, Director of Bali Film Center (BFC), a private company established in 2002 as a trusted partner for international productions filming anywhere in Indonesia.

Balinale operates with a foundational commitment to its core values: creativity, equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging. These principles guide the festival’s programming and operations, ensuring that it fosters an environment where diverse voices and artistic expressions are celebrated and supported.

Development initiatives supported by Creative Arts Indonesia Foundation.

Balinale is recognized as Indonesia’s first and only 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱® 𝗤𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗳𝘆𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗙𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗮𝗹. The festival has an international program noted for its diversity of films from around the world and for the quality of the associated events.

Balinale is known for its specialized knowledge and the importance of promoting Indonesian cinema, art, and culture.

We showcase locally produced films as a means of illustrating the country’s artistic capabilities and true potential, and to expose Indonesia’s unique locations, diverse cultures, and talented individuals at its core.

The festival strongly supports the community with its open-air cinema, children’s program and student workshops as an important part of its platform.

The festival holds the honor of receiving the endorsement of the National and Provincial Bali Government for its proven efforts to deliver cultural, political, and economic benefits to the country.

The 20th edition of the festival will be held in Bali 1-7 June 2027

Icon Bali Mall with screenings at the Cinema XXI and special events at The Meru Sanur.

Balinale seeks to expand our outreach, create additional arts education forums and events, and establish other affiliations and collaborations with like-minded institutions and organizations.

Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Sundance Film Forward, American Film Showcase, HK International Film Festival, Asian Film Awards Academy, and Art of the Score at The Juilliard School, Center for Creative Technology.

In 2024, Balinale was proudly officially approved as an Oscar® Qualifying Festival; winner of the Balinale Short Film Competition may now be eligible for consideration for the Oscar® competition for Best Short Film.

Yes, Forums, Seminars, Panel Discussions, Educational Programs, Networking Opportunities

Bali Film Forum is a professional industry forum with a distinguished panel of speakers holding meaningful dialogue, where international filmmakers and Indonesian professionals discuss films, trends, co-production opportunities, and the demands of a growing, fast-paced industry.

The festival also holds several workshops and seminars that delve into the multifaceted world of cinema and television.

Yes, Balinale recognizes excellence across several artistic and technical categories. Our Jury is comprised of respected and prominent Indonesian and international creatives and filmmakers.

Special Jury Award, Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Narrative, Best Short Documentary, Best Short Animation, and Committee Choice Award.

Plus the Gary L Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmakers and Tapestry of Indonesia for Best Indonesian Short.

Call for Film Submissions will be announced in October. The festival uses FilmFreeway as the platform for accepting submissions for all categories.

From 1,500+ submissions received, there was a total of 94 films from 38 countries selected including 20 World, 26 Asian, and 10 International Premieres with special screenings and sections, including 23 Indonesian films with a record number of International and domestic industry professionals attending.