Balinale’s Multi-Faceted Program Holds Many Surprises for 2017!

posted in: Press Release

The highly anticipated Bali International Film Festival (also known as Balinale) is celebrating its landmark 11th anniversary from 24-30 September at Official Venue Partner Cinemaxx (PT Cinemaxx Global Pasifik) strategically located at the popular Lippo Mall Kuta, Jl. Kartika Plaza, Bali. 

In addition to the annual weeklong program of fabulous film screenings, Balinale’s special events include; movie premieres, celebrity meet & greet, exhibitions, sneak peeks of upcoming films and kicks off with a spectacular parade showcasing the elaborate designs and costumes created by Jember Fashion Carnaval (JFC). The incredible performers will make their way to the end point and staging area at the Lippo Mall Kuta where visitors can view these amazing costumes plus have photo ops with the performers. 

The 2017 theme ‘Connecting Communities Through the World of Film’, projects our visions and dreams in a positive way, helping to develop closer relationships and stronger ties between communities, communicates our vision, and exposes the rich diversity & unique regional culture and its global impact. 

Established in 2007, the festival presents all genres of fiction, documentary, feature and short entertaining, thought-provoking, independent and award-winning films from Indonesia and around the world. 

Since the 1930’s, the geographically and culturally diverse island of Bali has inspired the creative, artistic and spiritual with its unique traditions and colorful ceremonial life. Balinale invites international filmmakers to present their work to a discerning audience that’s a wonderful mix of locals and expatriates from across the globe while exploring Indonesia’s accommodating culture, rich story ideas and diverse locations for possible film projects and co-production opportunities.

A key strategy of the festival is to encourage professional advancement and generate greater awareness of the opportunities offered in the film and creative industries with a Film Industry Forum created to connect & network with international filmmakers, studio executives, and industry professionals. Participants from Indonesia and abroad will discuss Indonesia’s film development, industry support services, current trends & challenges and related business interests with industry decision makers and opinion leaders.

Balinale received a record number of entries from around the world thanks to all the talented filmmakers from 50+ diverse countries including some as far afield as Mozambique, Belarus, Lebanon & Tanzania who shared their unique stories.

Submission Waiver Grant for Indonesian filmmakers contributed to the greater number of local entries. Balinale provides this Grant in order to encourage growth of Indonesian Cinema in future years and will continue to promote occupational skills training through workshops and seminars in the festival program. Final Program Selections will be announced 15 August when we will release a limited number of Early Bird Passes.

The festival welcomes back The Japan Foundation Jakarta and Taiwan Economic Trade Office Jakarta as important Institutional Partners where there will be a focus and associated celebrations showcasing their respective culture, art and a selection of films demonstrating their strength within the regional film industry. 

BALINALE actively participates and contributes to other industry events developing affiliations, such as; Motion Picture Association, Asia Pacific Screen Awards (Brisbane, Australia), ASEAN International Film Festival & Awards (Kuching, Malaysia), Asian Film Commissions Network (20 member countries), American Film Showcase and Sundance Institute’s Film Forward.

Balinale is continuing its relationship with major studios such as Sony Pictures, Universal Studios, Walt Disney Studios, UIP, 20th Century Fox, Warner Brothers, as well as, numerous international productions in providing us first run films not released in Indonesia.

The festival welcomes back The Japan Foundation Jakarta and Taiwan Economic Trade Office Jakarta as important Institutional Partners where there will be a focus on their respective cinemas with a selection of films presented by the filmmaker and demonstrating their strength within the regional film industry.

We value our Festival Friends & Visiting Filmmakers and appreciate our Partners, Sponsors & Affiliates that contribute each year’s in making Balinale an experience not to be missed!

The festival is strongly supported by the public for its children’s charity program, school visits and free open air cinema, locally known as ‘layar tancap’ as part of Balinale’s commitment to the community and holds the honor of receiving the endorsement of the National and Provincial Government for its proven efforts in delivering cultural, political and economic benefits to the country.