Balinale Opens Its 19th Edition Bringing Global Cinema To Bali

Bali, Indonesia – 28 May 2026 — The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) officially opens its 19th edition from 1–7 June 2026, with Icon Bali Mall serving as the festival hub, screenings at Cinema XXI, and events taking place across selected venues throughout Sanur.

This year, Balinale presents 94 films from 38 countries with 20 World, 10 International, and 26 Asian Premieres, with many filmmakers attending. The program showcases a dynamic range of stories, perspectives, and cinematic voices while underscoring the growing importance of international co-productions in contemporary cinema. Also featured are 26 Indonesian films, with Balinale introducing a new award category, Best Indonesian Short Tapestry of Indonesia, celebrating the richness and diversity of Indonesian storytelling.

OFFICIAL COMPETITION

Narrative Feature

• Mon Ami, directed by Mohamed Zran (Tunisia)
• Aisha Can’t Fly Away, directed by Morad Mostafa (Egypt)
• Death Drive, directed by Eolgul Park (South Korea)
• Sound of Falling, directed by Mascha Schilinski (Germany)

Documentary Feature

• Divia, directed by Dmytro Hreshko (Poland, Ukraine, Netherlands)
• The Madness of Moonlight, directed by Leigh-Ann Beverley (United States)
• The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly, directed by Ignacio Marín & Rubén Díez (Spain)
• The Designer Is Dead, directed by Gonzalo Hergueta (Spain)

Short Narrative

• Close Your Eyes Hind, directed by Amir Zaza (Netherlands)
• Ali, directed by Adnan Al Rajeev (Bangladesh, Philippines)
• Jasmine. Home. Mother., directed by Ugnė Skonsmanaitė (Lithuania, United Kingdom, United States)
• Vultures, directed by Dian Weys (France, South Africa)
• The Spectacle, directed by Bálint Kenyeres (France, Hungary)
• Psychopomp, directed by Kit Harington (United Kingdom)
• Life Goes On, directed by Kat Butterfield & Daniel Audritt (United Kingdom)
• Lip Balm, directed by Kwangsik An (South Korea)

Short Documentary

• Actually, I Didn’t Want to Stay Long, directed by Andreas Grützner (Germany)
• The Tuners, directed by Pawel Chorzepa (Poland)
• The Revolution Against Death, directed by Joshua Lincoln Oppenheimer (Denmark)
• Grappling Grace, directed by Alexander Kiehl & Misha Novak (United Kingdom)

Short Animation

• The Magician, directed by Bogdan Muresanu (Croatia, France, Romania)
• Jailbirds, directed by Thomas Villepoux (Belgium, France)
• Lifetime Warranty, directed by Daniel Lobos (Chile)
• Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town, directed by Daniel Kreizberg (Lithuania, Monaco, United States)
• White Hare, directed by Inkyu Jee (South Korea)
• Chère Fin, directed by Khéma Cousin, Lien Franckel, Laora Le Boursicot, Alissende Masson, Joséphine Mournier, and Clément Saden (France)

The Best Short Film award, which qualifies for Academy Award® consideration, will be selected from the winners of the Short Narrative, Short Documentary, and Short Animation categories.

BALINALE 2026 JURY

• Yosep Anggi Noen (Indonesia) — Filmmaker, producer, and screenwriter
• Eros Zhao (United States) — Documentary filmmaker
• Joseph J.U. Taylor (New Zealand) — Filmmaker and cross-cultural storyteller
• Marcella Zalianty (Indonesia) — Actress and cultural advocate
• Annissa Nurul Shanty Kusuma Wardhani Heryadie (Indonesia) — Actress and singer
• Richard Todd (Australia) — Documentary filmmaker
• I Made Denny Chrisna Putra (Indonesia) — Filmmaker, cinematographer, and lecturer
• Denise Castelli (Italy) — Network executive
• Nirartha Bas Diwangkara (Indonesia) — Filmmaker and producer
• David Hanan (Australia) — Researcher and author

Jury Advisors: Donna Smith — Executive Producer and Dr. Lawrence Blair — Director and writer

The festival’s Opening Night Film is Euphoria, directed by Julian Rosefeldt (Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, United States). Balinale 2026 will close with The End, directed by Joshua Lincoln Oppenheimer (Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, United States).

The complete film lineup and screening schedule are available at:
https://www.balinale.com

FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS

• Dates: 1–7 June 2026
• Location: Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
• Venues: Icon Bali Mall, Cinema XXI, The Meru Sanur, Bali Beach Hotel
• Industry Platform: Bali Film Forum
• Community Program: Cinema by the Sea
• Festival Passes & Tickets: Available through TIX ID
• Festival Information: Balinale Official Website
• All non-English-language films will be presented with English subtitles.

MEDIA CONTACT: press@balinale.com / +62 (0) 361 270 908

BALINALE 2026 OFFICIAL PARTNERS

Institutional Partners: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dana Indonesiana, LPDP (Indonesia Endowment Fund for Education), Hotel Partners: The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel, Venue Partners: Icon Bali Mall and Cinema XXI

ABOUT BALINALE

Established in 2007 by the Bali Film Center, Balinale is Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award® Qualifying Film Festival. Internationally recognized for its diverse programming and cultural impact, the festival serves as a platform for filmmakers, audiences, and industry professionals while supporting the continued growth of Indonesia’s creative industries. Development initiatives supported by Creative Arts Indonesia Foundation.