5 November 2021, Jakarta, Indonesia – Bali International Film Festival, Indonesia’s premier film festival with a 13-year history of screening hundreds of domestic and international films for thousands of film enthusiasts runs 11 – 14 November with free in-person screenings.
The festival (also known as Balinale) and its dedicated team are incredibly excited to restart after a year-plus period of on-and-off lockdown of exhibitions celebrating films selected for its 2020 festival after canceling the event due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Held on the paradise island of Bali in Indonesia, the 14th edition continues to deliver outstanding entertainment presenting quality, thought-provoking independent, and award-winning short, feature, and documentaries from Indonesia and around the world following the digital and regulated in-person model that Toronto International Film Festival and Sundance Film Festival adopted. The film festival has a juried competition with awards presented in several artistic and technical categories.
Jury Members include: Nia Dinata – Director, Richard Oh – Writer. Director, Benny Kadarharianto – Cinematographer, and Anggi Frisca – Cinematographer
“This year’s festival is in keeping with our ethos that film – more than any other medium – reaches an enormous audience locally and internationally, exciting imaginations, and the public’s interest to explore a destination, its culture, and people. By offering the in-person program free of charge we are positioning the festival to aid in welcoming people back to Bali and into the cinema,” says Founder and President Deborah Gabinetti.
Balinale believes there is nothing like the shared theatrical experience to do justice to the thousands of hours of craftsmanship involved in the creation of a film. The limited free in-cinema screenings will be shown at Park 23 Cinema XXI South Kuta Bali. Cinema XXI (PT Nusantara Sejahtera Raya) is the largest movie theater chain serving 46 cities in Indonesia.
Registration required for admission to the free in-person screenings opens 5 November on Townscript
The festival’s Online Program is available from 11-17 November on Book My Show
Balinale will continue to play an important part in the country’s film development with Indonesia’s leading industry professionals gathering in Bali on Saturday, 12 November for the annual BalinaleX Film Forum, a one-day event focused on the commercial aspects of the film and television industry. Indonesian filmmakers confirmed for BalinaleX include Proeucer Iwan Setyiabudiman, Directors Lasja F Susatyo, Richard Oh, Nia Dinata, and Sim F, Cinematographers Anggi Frisca and Benny Kadarhariarto, Screenwriter Titien Wattimena and Actors Ario Bayu and Sha Ine Febriyanti.
Festival guests from around the archipelago will be flown to Balinale with its Official Airline Partner Citilink, one of the premier brands of Indonesia recognized for its award-winning service and management.
Earlier this year, Balinale announced the creation of new industry affiliations with organizations committed to connecting the world through film. The AICEF Prize for Cross-Cultural Filmmaking with the American-Indonesian Cultural & Education Foundation awarded to a pair of first- or second-time filmmakers whose work robustly embraces cross-cultural themes. The Indonesian recipient was Harvan Agustriansyah for ‘Empu–Sugar on the Weaver’s Chair.’
Balinale is hosting the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) in Jakarta 5-7 November presenting several outstanding and award-winning Hong Kong films. AFA Academy was formed in 2013 by Busan, Hong Kong, and Tokyo Film Festivals to highlight the Asian film industry and culture.
Another exciting collaboration is the establishment of an Institutional Partnership with RUS Animation Studio vocational school supported by Djarum Foundation.
All public events will follow CHSE – government protocols.
For more information on the festival and its programs, visit www.balinale.com or contact us at: press@balinale.com / +62 361 270 908
About Bali International Film Festival (Balinale)
Balinale is recognized internationally for its varied programming of global independent and Indonesian cinema. The festival is known for its importance in promoting the creative industries of Indonesia by showcasing films locally produced as a means of illustrating the country’s capabilities for investment and international co-production opportunities.
Balinale actively participates in global industry events, associations with major studios and distributors, and established affiliations with likeminded institutions and organizations.
The festival is strongly supported by the local community and has a commitment to supporting educational development through workshops and seminars. Balinale is endorsed by the National and Provincial Government for its proven efforts in delivering cultural, civic, and economic benefits to the country.