Eyewitness – SANUR
6 June, 2026
Special Mention: Close Your Eyes Hind – Amir Zaza (Netherlands)
“A beautiful and profoundly tragic portrayal of children trapped in war zones, capturing their hopes, dreams, and lives shattered by conflict. Patel Akkad’s poignant performance as Hind is deeply moving—both in recreating cherished memories and in quieter moments where vulnerability, silence, and human presence resonate far more powerfully than mere spectacle.”
Short Animation
Winner: Lifetime Warranty – Daniel Lobos (Chile)
Jury Statement: “As we approach an era where manual craftsmanship seems destined to be eroded by the relentless pace of progress, Daniel Lobos’s film serves as a powerful reminder of the enduring importance of artisanal work. The sheer patience and dedication required to bring this narrative to life, frame by frame, is truly extraordinary. Audiences can genuinely feel the heartfelt sincerity in every single second of this animation. A pure masterpiece.”
As Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, the winner of the Balinale Best Short Film Award earns eligibility for consideration in the Oscar® competition for Best Animated Short Film / Best Live Action Short Film.
Best Short Film
Winner: The Tuners – Pawel Chorzepa (Poland)
Jury Statement: “Boasting mesmerizing cinematography and an exquisite soundscape, Pawel Chorzepa’s film is a masterclass in audio-visual storytelling. The razor-sharp editing amplifies an unexpected mid-narrative twist, brilliantly elevating this documentary into a gripping, suspenseful drama. Seamlessly blending these elements with profound human observation, the film emerges not only as thoroughly elegant but completely flawless.”
Feature Documentary
Winner: The Designer is Dead – Gonzalo Hergueta (Spain)
Jury Statement: “A beautiful narrative and a deeply honest archival testament to an artist who sought truth in his craft rather than the machinery behind it. In a world where our best-laid plans can be derailed by global forces beyond our control, Gonzalo Hergueta challenges us to question how we confront destiny. What remains is a self-portrait rendered with rare dignity and beauty.”
Special Mention: The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly – Ignacio Marín & Rubén Díez (Spain)
Jury Statement: “A superbly crafted observational documentary capturing the grim realities of an unnecessary war. Watching The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly offers an immediate, firsthand look at the relentless impact of conflict on Ukrainian society. Ignacio Marín and Rubén Díez have delivered a brave, impeccably executed piece of filmmaking.”
Narrative Feature
Winner: Aisha Can’t Fly Away – Morad Mostafa (Egypt)
Jury Statement: “Maha Mohammed Al-Adwani delivers a powerhouse performance as the lead character, holding the audience gripped in every single frame. While the film is bleak in many respects, the combination of stellar acting and a rock-solid plot keeps viewers completely transfixed. Morad Mostafa masterfully teases the audience with the yearning for a peaceful resolution, yet refuses to release them from the tight, fitting grip of its climax.”
Gary L Hayes Award for Indonesian Film Newcomer
Winner: Sound of Silence – Gavrila Angelina (Indonesia)
Jury Statement: “We selected this film for the Gary L Hayes Award due to its compelling, timely storytelling and exceptionally well-executed delivery. The film explores how the youth have grown accustomed to the complexities of life, punctuated by an excellent twist and a striking surprise ending. Sound of Silence is remarkably clear, beautifully shot, and precisely focused. The director shows immense promise as a rising star in the Indonesian film industry.”
Tapestry of Indonesia – Best Indonesian Short Film
Winner: Amazing Fantastic Extraordinary People – Nadine Habsjah & Yusgunawan Marto (Indonesia)
Jury Statement: “A bold, intelligent, and thought-provoking piece of cinema, executed with superb professionalism. It tackles highly relevant themes, specifically the exploitation and manipulation of underprivileged citizens in financial distress. Nadine Habsjah and Yusgunawan Marto direct with absolute confidence, backed by high production values that highlight Ruth Marini’s dominant and extraordinary performance—alternatingly mesmerizing, vulnerable, and terrifying. Driven by Amanda Simandjuntak’s captivating ability to subvert expectations, the narrative leaves audiences thoroughly spellbound yet profoundly unsettled.”
Committee Choice Awards
Winner: Death Drive – Eolgul PARK (South Korea)
Jury Statement: “Serving simultaneously as a psychological portrait and a sharp social critique, ‘Death Drive’ visualizes the intense pressures intrinsic to an increasingly ubiquitous form of labor—courier and delivery work. Whether navigating the fiercely competitive landscape of modern South Korea by car or weaving through traffic on a motorcycle as seen in Bali, this universality allows audiences to deeply connect with beautifully developed characters and their meticulously detailed worlds.”
Winner: Grappling Grace – Alexander Kiehl & Misha Novak (United Kingdom)
Jury Statement: “At a time when immigrants in the United Kingdom are frequently viewed through a negative lens, this work serves as a perfect, beautiful rendering of the human spirit during life’s most trying times. Equally inspiring and poignant, Alexander Kiehl and Misha Novak have constructed a film that is not only technically outstanding but deeply infused with hope and love.”
Festival Overview & Statistics
Balinale 2026 received a record-breaking number of submissions in its 19-year history, drawing over 1,300 titles from across the globe, including Indonesia. This milestone reflects the festival’s expanding international reach. From its official competition categories—spanning Narrative Short, Narrative Feature, Documentary Short, Feature Documentary, and Animated Short—the festival ultimately selected 94 films representing 38 countries. Balinale proudly presented 20 world premieres, 10 international premieres, and 26 Asian premieres, further enriching global cinematic storytelling and diverse creative voices.
Official Partners & Institutional Support
The official partners for Balinale 2026 include Hotel & Venue Partner The Meru Sanur, Venue Partner ICON Bali Mall, and Cinema XXI. Balinale’s official communications also acknowledge the vital support received from the Ministry of Culture, the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Bali Governor’s Office, and the Denpasar Mayor’s Office, alongside broader endorsements from national and provincial government bodies.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
