Submission Information and Guidelines

Submissions accepted via Film Freeway

Film submissions open on Saturday, 30 November 2024.

To confirm your understanding and acceptance of the terms and conditions, CAREFULLY READ THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS.

Entry forms must be completed with a secure screener and all other necessary documentation and signatures before the deadline listed.

Bali International Film Festival (also known as Balinale) is granted permission to exhibit the film at its associated events during the current festival year and up to its next edition, where it will receive proper credit and promotion.

If a submission does not satisfy all these standards, Balinale reserves the right to disqualify the film, and any fees paid will be forfeited.

For each submission submitted, only one category may be chosen.

1. Entry Liability

The filmmaker holds the Bali International Film Festival, its organization, management, juries, subsidiaries, agents, sponsors, and affiliates, harmless from all claims of liability resulting from entry.

By submitting your film(s), you acknowledge that you have all necessary rights and permissions for the film(s) and agree to grant permission for the Bali International Film Festival to exhibit.

The filmmaker indemnifies the organizers of the Bali International Film Festival, against all claims, demands, costs, damages, expenses (including legal fees), proceedings, and losses resulting from the screening of the film at the festival or from claims by any third parties.

By submitting your film to the festival, you agree that no screening or loaner fees are required for films exhibited at the festival.

Bali International Film Festival is guided in all its work by the core values of excellence; creativity; equity, diversity, inclusion, and belonging (EDIB).

2. Film Categories

Our Festival invites independent works that are creative, unique, and thought-provoking. All genres of films that inspire, captivate, and entertain will be considered.

Short Narrative (live-action)
Short Documentary
Short Animation
These categories are reserved for any film with a running time of 40 minutes or less, including all credits.

Feature Length Narrative (live-action)
Feature Length Documentary
These categories are reserved for any film with a running time of 40 minutes to 120 minutes, including all credits.

Note: The programming committee decides film selection and eligibility for audience and special awards.

3. Submission Payments

Submission fees are payable via FilmFreeway only. 

Submission fees cannot be discounted, including for multiple films.

Fee waivers for non-INDONESIAN productions will only be considered when a request is received between 25 February and 29 February 2025. Note: Premieres and Award Winners are given priority for consideration.

Only submission-awarded waivers will be notified of the committee’s decision.

INDONESIAN NATIONALS (WNI): Submission Waivers are provided for WNI between 1 March and 15 March 2025. Please refer to the WNI Category for complete details.

4. Submission Screener Formats

Balinale accepts online screeners submitted through FilmFreeway only. Receipt of any other physical format must be approved by the festival.

Submitted films must upload screeners directly to FilmFreeway via their Secure Online Application system, or as a password-protected Vimeo link or private YouTube link (MOV or MP4). Please enable downloading within your Vimeo account or approve the ‘Request Download’ on your FilmFreeway Project Details.

• The submitter must inform Balinale immediately if the password changes at any stage between the submission and the Festival.
• If the screener is provided with a Vimeo link, please make sure the privacy settings have been modified to allow embedding so Balinale can view the movie through FilmFreeway.

Encrypted films will not be accepted.

5. Eligibility Requirements

All submissions must adhere to the following criteria to be considered:

• Films must have been completed within one (1) year of the final submission date.
• Eligible films include those that have been screened at other festivals and had limited prior public exhibition or distribution by nontheatrical means.
• Non-English language films must be either subtitled or dubbed in English.
• Submission forms must be complete to include all press kit specifications (i.e. Secure online screener, production stills, trailer, production credits, and contact information).
• Each submission will have a separate submission form. Works-in-progress, commercials, and advertisements are not accepted.
• All submission fees are paid in full.
• By submitting your movie to the festival, you consent to the festival committee’s final judgment.

Note: All films exhibited in Indonesia must be sent to the Indonesian Censorship Board (LSF) for certification of final clearance.

As an Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, winners of the Balinale Short Film Competitions may now be eligible for consideration for the Oscar® competitions for Best Short Film. Refer to the Academy’s qualifying and eligibility rules.

6. Selection

Notification date: Thursday, 1 May 2025.

a. All exhibition materials of SELECTED FILMS must be received by Wednesday, 7 May 2025.

b. All in-cinema screenings require DCP format. Downloadable is preferable. If you do not have a DCP copy of your film, Balinale can arrange DCP conversion with our trusted contractor.

c. If your screening is open-air or in other venues, MOV or MP4 files are required.

• Balinale decisions are final
• Screenings are scheduled at the discretion of the Festival. Whilst every effort will be made to adhere to the published schedule, We reserve the right to make changes at any time for any reason. Bali International Film Festival will not be liable for any costs claimed as a result of a schedule or venue change.
• The Festival reserves a limited number of tickets for each filmmaker’s screening (s). It should not be assumed that the inclusion of your film in the Festival program will also cover travel costs and related expenditures.
• The person listed as responsible for the movie will receive the award. A second award may be given out at the discretion of the festival.
• Every effort will be made to prevent material loss or damage. The Bali International Film Festival disclaims any liability for any materials lost or damaged in transit to or from the Festival.
• A movie cannot be withdrawn after it has been accepted without the festival committee’s written consent.

7. Shipping

A downloadable version of the film is preferable; receipt of physical copies can be arranged on a case-by-case basis.

Before shipping, any physical materials must be approved by the festival. Shipping forms must state: NO COMMERCIAL VALUE and FOR CULTURAL PURPOSES ONLY. Otherwise, you may incur Indonesian Customs Clearance fees, delays, or possible confiscation.

Bali International Film Festival does not cover any shipping costs.

8. Correspondence

All correspondence from Balinale regarding FilmFreeway submissions will be sent via FilmFreeway / submissions@balinale.com.

Although Balinale takes every precaution to ensure that messages are sent to the Submitter via email, Balinale disavows any responsibility for messages not delivered to the email address supplied.

9. Force Majeure

Bali International Film Festival, its authorized representatives, or agents shall not be liable for any delays or cancellations occurring because of circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of civil or military authority, national emergencies, work stoppages, travel restrictions, acts of God, or failure of communication or power supply. In the event of venue cancellation, the festival shall take reasonable steps to minimize losses but shall have no liability.