Bali, 17 May 2023 – The 16th edition of the Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) is set to return to Park23 Creative Hub Cinema XXI in Bali from Thursday 1 June to Sunday 4 June 2023. This year’s festival will continue its tradition of showcasing independent and award-winning narrative features, documentaries, and short films from around the world and across various genres, styles, and languages.
An impressive four-day line-up will include forty-four films representing thirteen countries, with 11 World, 13 Asian, and 4 International Premieres. The festival officially opens with A Guilty Conscience (Hong Kong), directed by Jack Ng, and will be presented by the film’s Lead Actor HO Kai Wa.
Other films to put on your watch list include the Sundance and Berlinale-winning Klondike from Ukraine, directed by Maryna Er Gorbach; the sprawling crime drama Where the Wind Blows from Hong Kong, directed by Philip Yung; white-knuckled action Sisu from Finland, directed by Jalmari Helander; and this year’s Oscar-winning Women Talking from the United States, directed by Sarah Polley. The outstanding line-up continues with; Feature Documentaries include; Crows are White (Ireland) directed by Ahsen Nadeem and The Tone Wheels (Indonesia) directed by Yuda Kurniawan, Short Narrative; Las Visitantes (Spain) directed by Enrique Buleo and Playground (USA) directed by Yaxing Lin, Short Documentaries Lolitha (Indonesia) directed by Azalia Muchransyah and many more.
To experience the films, you have the option to buy a 4-day Festival Pass through our Townscript page. Early bird passes are available until 24 May. For detailed information about movie titles and showtimes, please visit our festival website at www.balinale.com. All movies require pre-registration. Registration opens on 21 May.
Balinale is recognized internationally as one of the premier film festivals in Southeast Asia, known for its specialized knowledge and importance in supporting Indonesia’s independent cinema and promoting established Indonesian filmmakers.
The festival has always been a platform for emerging new filmmakers, with programs that support these efforts through a partnership with Art of the Score The Juilliard School’s Center for Innovation in the Arts creative collaborations between Juilliard student musicians and composers and student filmmakers from Indonesia. This year will also present the winner of the annual American-Indonesian Cultural and Educational Foundation (AICEF) Prize for a first or second-time Indonesian feature filmmaker.
A special selection of Hong Kong films will be presented as part of the Making Waves – Navigators of Hong Kong Cinema 2023 program supported by CreateHK, Hong Kong International Film Festival, and the Hong Kong Economic Trade Office (HKETO), Jakarta, including The Sparring Partner directed by Ho Cheuk-Tin, The Sunny Side of the Street directed by Lau Kok-rui, Cyber Heist directed by Wong Hing Fan, and A Guilty Conscience directed by Jack Ng. Additionally, the other HK films featured in the festival are Vital Sign directed by Vincci Cheuk, Mad Fate directed by Soi Cheang, and Where the Wind Blows directed by Philip Yung, which is also in competition.
Special Notes to Editors:
- All non-English language films will have English subtitles.
- All Hong Kong films will have Indonesian subtitles.
- All side activities can also be found at the festival website: www.balinale.com and at Townscript https://www.balinale.com/festival/
- Social media sites: https://www.instagram.com/bali.nale/ https://www.facebook.com/BALINALE
- For photos and images, go to our Flickr
For Further Information
Bali International Film Festival
T: + 62 (0) 361 270 908 / W: www.balinale.com / E: press@balinale.com
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Background
Bali International Film Festival (Balinale)
Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) was established in 2007 and is recognized internationally for its varied programming of global independent and Indonesian cinema. The festival is known for its significant promotion of Indonesian film and further development of the country’s creative industries through global industry events, film associations, and its established professional affiliations. Balinale invites foreign filmmakers to explore Indonesia for potential co-production opportunities. Balinale is endorsed by the national and provincial governments for its proven efforts in delivering cultural, civic, and economic benefits to the country.
Bali Film Center Bali Film Center (BFC) is a private organization committed to promoting Indonesia as a film location and production center for international projects. Being at the forefront of generating filming throughout the country since 2002, the company facilitates an impressive array of film, television, print, and serial productions. BFC has an extensive network and in-depth knowledge of the industry. BFC is recognized by the national and provincial governments for effectively promoting Indonesia’s creative individuals, industries, and diverse destinations.