DENPASAR, Bali (BPN) – The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) officially opened its 19th edition on June 1, 2026, bringing together filmmakers, industry professionals, creative communities, and audiences from around the world for a week-long celebration of cinema in Sanur, Bali.
Held from June 1 to 7, Balinale 2026 is centered at Icon Bali Mall and Cinema XXI, with The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel serving as key venues for the festival’s industry programs and special events.
Deborah Gabinetti, Founder and Festival Director of Balinale, said, carrying the theme “Stories Worth Experiencing,” this year’s festival showcases 94 films from 38 countries, including 20 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, and 26 Asian Premieres.
“The program reflects Balinale’s commitment to presenting compelling stories that inspire, challenge, and connect audiences across cultures. Balinale continues to strengthen its international standing as Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award®-qualifying film festival for the Best Short Film category,” Deborah said.
The festival also introduces a new award, Best Indonesian Short: Tapestry of Indonesia, which celebrates the diversity and richness of storytelling from across the Indonesian archipelago.
The festival opened on June 1 with a screening of “Euphoria,” directed by Julian Rosefeldt, a co-production involving Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, and the United States.
One of the highlights of Balinale 2026 is its collaboration with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, which began on June 2.
The program enhances the presence of Asian cinema within the festival while providing Indonesian audiences with access to a diverse selection of contemporary Hong Kong films.
Featured titles in the program include Road to Vendetta, Night King, Golden Boy, Gamer Girls, Ciao UFO, and Back to the Past. The selection spans a variety of genres, from drama and comedy to youth-oriented and mainstream entertainment productions.
Beyond film screenings, Balinale is hosting the Bali Film Forum at The Meru Sanur, an industry platform designed to foster dialogue among filmmakers, producers, creative partners, and industry professionals. Discussions focus on collaboration opportunities, co-production initiatives, talent development, and strategies to strengthen Indonesia’s role within the global film ecosystem.
The festival’s Awards Night Celebration is scheduled for June 5, recognizing outstanding films, filmmakers, and creative contributions showcased throughout the event.
Balinale 2026 will conclude on June 7 with the screening of “The End,” a musical feature directed by Joshua Lincoln Oppenheimer. Produced through an international collaboration involving Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, the United Kingdom, Sweden, and the United States, the film serves as the festival’s Closing Night presentation.
The official competition features films across several categories, including Narrative Feature, Documentary Feature, Short Narrative, Short Documentary, and Short Animation.
The festival’s Academy Award®-qualifying Best Short Film honor will be selected from the winners of the Short Narrative, Short Documentary, and Short Animation categories.
According to Deborah, through its 2026 theme, “Stories Worth Experiencing,” Balinale reaffirms its mission as a platform for cultural exchange, education, creativity, and international collaboration.
“As one of Southeast Asia’s prominent film festivals, Balinale continues to position Bali as a vibrant hub for cinematic storytelling, industry engagement, and cross-cultural dialogue, connecting Indonesia with the global creative community through the power of film,” Deborah concluded.
