Eyewitnesas – SANUR
June 1, 2026. The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) officially commenced its 19th edition today, running from June 1–7, 2026, in Sanur, Bali. This year’s festival centers its screenings at Icon Bali Mall and Cinema XXI, while appointing The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel as the official venues for its extensive lineup of programs. As part of the opening festivities, Balinale 2026 hosted a press conference featuring key speakers from various sectors of the film industry and festival partners. Among them were Deborah Gabinetti, Founder of Balinale; Ed Brea, General Manager of The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel representing The Meru; and Amy Chin, representing the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) as the Producer/Scriptwriter for the film Ciao UFO. They were joined by Wong You Nam, lead actor of Ciao UFO, and Eros Zhao, director and jury member showcasing his work Antonio and the Last Wizard.
Embracing the theme “Stories Worth Experiencing,” Balinale 2026 presents 94 films from 38 countries, including 20 World Premieres, 10 International Premieres, and 26 Asian Premieres. The festival serves as a vital meeting ground for filmmakers, audiences, industry professionals, communities, and cross-border partners to engage with moving, challenging, and inspiring narratives.
This year, Balinale reaffirms its prestige as Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award® qualifying international film festival for the Best Short Film category. In addition to its international competition, Balinale introduces a new award category: Best Indonesian Short: Tapestry of Indonesia, celebrating the rich cultural depth and diversity of Indonesian storytelling.
BALINALE 2026 PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
The Balinale 2026 lineup kicked off on June 1 with the Opening Night film Euphoria, a collaborative work directed by Julian Rosefeldt. On June 2, the festival’s collaboration with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA) took center stage through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, headlined by the screening of Ciao UFO. The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation will continue to feature a curated selection of Hong Kong cinema throughout the festival.
The collaboration with AFAA strengthens the presence of Asian cinema at Balinale, offering local audiences the opportunity to experience a diverse array of Hong Kong cinema ranging from dramas, comedies, and coming-of-age stories to popular mainstream genres. Six films featured in the AFAA/Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation program include Road to Vendetta, Night King, Golden Boy, Gamer Girls, Ciao UFO, and Back to the Past.
Beyond film screenings, the Bali Film Forum at The Meru Sanur stands as a pivotal industry platform, bringing together filmmakers, producers, industry professionals, and creative partners. The forum aims to foster crucial dialogue on collaboration, production, co-production, talent development, and strategic opportunities designed to strengthen Indonesia’s position within the global filmmaking ecosystem.
On June 5, Balinale will host its Awards Night Celebration, an appreciation night dedicated to honoring the festival’s finest works, filmmakers, and creative contributors. Balinale 2026 will conclude on June 7 with the Closing Night film The End, a musical directed by Joshua Lincoln Oppenheimer, marking the finale of a week-long celebration of cinema, community, and cultural exchange in Sanur.
OPENING AND CLOSING FILMS
• Opening Night Film: Euphoria – Directed by Julian Rosefeldt (Germany, Ukraine, Bulgaria, United States).
• Closing Night Film: The End – A musical directed by Joshua Lincoln Oppenheimer (Denmark, Germany, Ireland, Italy, United Kingdom, Sweden, United States), screening on June 7.
BALINALE 2026 OFFICIAL COMPETITION
The following films have been selected for the official competition across various categories:
• Narrative Feature: Mon Ami; Aisha Can’t Fly Away; Death Drive; Sound of Falling
• Documentary Feature: Divia; The Madness of Moonlight; The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly; The Designer Is Dead
• Short Narrative: Close Your Eyes Hind; Ali; Jasmine; Home; Mother.; Vultures; The Spectacle; Psychopomp; Life Goes On; Lip Balm
• Short Documentary: Actually, I Didn’t Want to Stay Long; The Tuners; The Revolution Against Death; Grappling Grace
• Short Animation: The Magician; Jailbirds; Lifetime Warranty; Anyone Lived in a Pretty How Town; White Hare; Chère Fin
The winner of the Best Short Film category, eligible for Academy Award® consideration, will be selected from the Narrative Short, Documentary Short, and Animated Short categories.
BALINALE 2026 JURY PANEL
• 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
• Dr. Lawrence Blair — Director and writer
GRATITUDE TO THE BALINALE COMMUNITY
”Stories Worth Experiencing” does not merely capture the essence of the festival, but also the collective spirit that enables Balinale to continuously grow and thrive. Behind every screening, forum, industry meet-up, and festival celebration lies the genuine heart, creative mind, hard work, and unwavering support of an extraordinary community.
Balinale extends its deepest gratitude to the entire committee, advisors, volunteers, filmmakers, artists, partners, sponsors, the Sanur community, creative industry professionals, the media, and all parties who have supported Balinale’s journey. This support provides vital energy for Balinale to remain a premier space for storytelling, culture, education, and international collaboration, bridging Bali to the world.
FESTIVAL HIGHLIGHTS
• Dates: June 1–7, 2026
• Location: Sanur, Bali, Indonesia
• Venues: Icon Bali Mall, Cinema XXI, The Meru Sanur, Bali Beach Hotel
• Industry Platform: Bali Film Forum at The Meru Sanur
• Community Program: Cinema by the Sea
• International Program: Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation in partnership with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA)
• Festival Ticketing: Available via TIX ID
• Official Website: www.balinale.com
• Note: Programs and schedules are subject to change. All non-English language films will be screened with English subtitles.
OFFICIAL PARTNERS OF BALINALE 2026
Balinale 2026 is organized with the support of official partners and the community who have contributed to the festival:
• Institutional Partners: Ministry of Culture of the Republic of Indonesia, Dana Indonesiana (Lembaga Pengelola Dana Pendidikan/LPDP), Bali Provincial Government, Badung Regency Government, Denpasar City Government.
• Official Venue Partner: Icon Bali
• Official Cinema Partner: Cinema XXI
• Hotel Partners: The Meru Sanur and Bali Beach Hotel.
Reporter : Daniel Herry
