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BALI INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

FAQs

Balinale is committed to presenting a program that celebrates storytelling that inspires artists and audiences and illustrates creative freedom and expression and a festival that further positions Bali as a vibrant center of both local and international culture.

Bali International Film Festival (also known as Balinale) 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.

  • Balinale is recognized internationally for the diversity of its programming and is credited for the quality of the associated events such as the Bali Film Forum. The forum is where international filmmakers and Indonesian professionals discuss films, trends, co-production opportunities, and the demands of a growing, fast-paced industry.
  • Balinale is known for its specialized knowledge and the importance of promoting Indonesian cinema, art, and culture. The festival has a solid history of supporting established and aspiring local filmmakers through workshops and industry forums. 
  • 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 children’s program and student workshops as an important part of its platform.
  • 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. 
  • 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 18th edition of the festival will be held in Bali 1-7 June 2025 

Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Sundance Film Forward, American Film Showcase, HK International Film Festival, Asian Film Awards Academy, AICEF Prize (American-Indonesian Cultural & Educational Foundation Prize, and Art of the Score at The Juilliard School, Center for Innovation in the Arts.

In 2024, Balinale was proudly officially approved as an Oscar® Qualifying Festival; winners of the Balinale Short Film Competition may now be eligible for consideration for the Oscar® competition for Best Short Film. Link to the official Academy’s qualifying and eligibility rules

  • Yes, Forums, Seminars, Panel Discussions, Educational Programs, Networking Opportunities
  • Bali Film Forum is a professional industry forum that delves into the multifaceted world of cinema and television with a distinguished panel of speakers holding meaningful dialogue.
  • The festival also holds several workshops and seminars, many of which are offered free of charge, for film students and emerging creatives.

Yes, Special Jury Award, Best Narrative Feature, Best Documentary Feature, Best Short Narrative, Best Short Documentary, and Committee Choice Award. Plus, Special Festival Awards: Gary L Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmakers, American Indonesian Cross-Cultural Filmmaking Prize, Sustainable Film

Call for Film Submissions will be announced in November. We use FilmFreeway as the platform for accepting submissions for all categories including feature and short narrative and documentary.

  • The festival values the collective experience of watching films in a shared setting to honor the extensive effort and craftsmanship that goes into film creation. 
  • A combination of indoor/outdoor festival screenings is an exciting way to unite international audiences and our local community.

Yes, we offer a limited number of discounts and waivers for Non-Indonesian Productions: Alumni, Invited Films

Yes, Indonesian Nationals (WNI) submissions are fully free

  • The festival highlights films from underrepresented regions and genres with programming that showcases emerging artists
  • Internationally affiliated forums and events are provided to students throughout the year that aim to inspire the next generation of education arts and new emerging art forms. 
  • The festival focuses on sustainability and eco-friendly practices and initiatives that engage the local community and support its development.

There was a total of 60 films from 25 countries including 45 premieres.