DENPASAR, BALI (BPN) – The 19th Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) has officially announced its 2026 award winners following a record-breaking year for global submissions. Culminating in an exclusive awards ceremony at The Meru Sanur’s Bali Beach Garden on Friday (June 5, 20256), the festival celebrated the very best in global and Indonesian cinema.
As Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, winners of Balinale’s Best Short Film Award may now be eligible for consideration for the Oscar® competition for Best Short Documentary, Best Short Narrative, and Best Short Animation.
The 10-person jury—comprising esteemed international and Indonesian film professionals—evaluated films across seven official categories, delivering a diverse slate of global winners.
Taking home the most coveted award was Pawel Chorzepa’s The Tuners by winning both the Best Short Film and Best Short Documentary awards.
The international jury praised the film as a flawless “audiovisual treat” that masterfully uses sound, silence, and duration as cinematic materials rather than mere subjects. Bolstered by stunning cinematography and razor-sharp editing, the documentary features an unexpected midpoint twist that elevates it into gripping high drama.
In the Best Short Narrative categories, the winner went to Ali, a co-production between Bangladesh and the Philippines directed by Adnan Al Rajeev. The jury said that Ali approaches questions of identity, repression, and self-expression with remarkable cinematic sensitivity. Rather than relying on emotional excess, the film builds its power through atmosphere, restraint, and visual precision. The film’s metaphorical treatment of voice and visibility feels both culturally specific and universally resonant.
The Best Short Animation award was bestowed upon Daniel Lobos’s Lifetime Warranty hailing from Chile. The jury stated that Daniel Lobos’ film reminds of the importance of manual labour. The amount of patience and dedication it takes to bring a story to life frame by frame is incredible.
In addition to the main competition, the festival recognized several films for their unique impact and cultural relevance.
A Special Mention for Short Narrative was awarded to Amir Zaza’s Close Your Eyes Hind (Netherlands) for its deeply moving, tragic portrayal of children caught in a war zone.
Another Special Mention went to the Documentary Feature The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly by Ignacio Marín and Rubén Díez (Spain), which offered a brave observational look at the human toll of the war in Ukraine.
While Morad Mostafa’s Egyptian film Aisha Can’t Fly Away claimed the Narrative Feature award. For documentary features, Spain’s The Designer Is Dead, directed by Gonzalo Hergueta, took top honors as the Documentary Feature winner.
Furthermore, the Committee Choice awards celebrated two standout entries: Eolgul PARK’s Death Drive (South Korea), praised as a sharp social critique of the modern delivery worker’s plight, and Grappling Grace by Alexander Kiehl and Misha Novak (United Kingdom), which delivered an uplifting, beautifully crafted portrait of an immigrant in the UK.
As a premier champion of local filmmaking, Balinale 2026 highlighted exceptional Indonesian talent through dedicated award categories.
Gary L. Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmaker: Awarded to Gavrila Angelina for Sound Of Silence. The jury declared Angelina a “promising star in the Indonesian film industry,” praising her timely, well-executed look into modern youth culture that culminates in a brilliant twist.
Tapestry of Indonesia (Best Short Indonesian Film): Awarded to Nadine Habsjah and Yusgunawan Marto for Amazing Fantastic Extraordinary People. The jury called the film “audacious, ingenious, (and) thought-provoking,” lauding Ruth Marini’s terrifyingly mesmerizing lead performance and Amanda Simandjuntak’s expertly crafted script about the exploitation of vulnerable citizens.
Balinale 2026 marked a massive expansion in the festival’s international reach. The selection committee reviewed a record-breaking of over 1,300 submissions from around the globe.
The final festival lineup was a testament to global cinematic diversity, featuring 94 Official Selections spanning 38 countries, 20 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, and 26 Asian Premieres.
The closing event was further highlighted by a live performance from Indonesian singer, actress, and jury member Shanty, capping off a historic 19th edition for Indonesia’s premier film event.
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