Balinale announces exchange program for Indonesian filmmakers

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The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) is teaming up with the Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival to launch an exchange program for Indonesian and US filmmakers. (Shutterstock/File)

The annual Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) announced a new exchange program for Indonesian filmmakers on Tuesday.

A part of Balinale’s collaboration with the United States-based Middlebury New Filmmakers Festival (MNFF), the American-Indonesian Cultural & Educational Foundation’s (AICEF) Price for Cross-Cultural Filmmaking program is looking for first- or second-time feature-film makers who promote cross-cultural themes in their works, either in the form of a narrative or a documentary.

According to a statement received by The Jakarta Post, the submitted films may feature cross-cultural themes in different genres, including drama or comedy. The narrations could focus on individuals or families who were facing cultural differences in their lives, or documentaries that explore conflicts or unities within a cross-cultural scope outside the filmmaker’s comfort zone.

The submission period of Balinale is open until June 20, while the submission for MNFF is open until May 28.

One selected Indonesian filmmaker will have the opportunity to present his or her work at the 2020 MNFF, which is slated for Aug. 27 to 30 in Middlebury, Vermont. The MNFF is to also choose one American filmmaker to present a film at the 2020 Balinale, scheduled for Sept. 8 to 13 at Sidewalk Jimbaran and Plaza Renon in Bali.

The program is being funded by AICEF, a New York-based non-profit organization, which was established in 1971 to bring together citizens of the two countries through culture and education.

Balinale executive director Deborah Gabinetti said in the statement that the program was in line with the festival’s target of expanding its network farther. “We look forward to having an MNF-selected American filmmaker with us in Bali this coming September,” she added.

Founded in 2007, Balinale offers support to Indonesian films and filmmakers through workshops and seminars in cooperation with international filmmakers.

Entering its sixth edition this year, the MNFF targets first- and second-year filmmakers and is to feature a competition to win a VTeddy Award in different categories, including Best Short Narrative and Best Feature Documentary. (wir/kes)

source: https://www.thejakartapost.com/life/2020/03/11/balinale-announces-exchange-program-for-indonesian-filmmakers.html