SANUR – Ahead of the upcoming Balinale 2026, Sanur hosted a special pre-festival event, Road to Balinale 2026, held at The Meru Sanur. The event marked the beginning of the festival journey, blending cinema, community, and cultural spirit in a seaside setting.
Balinale 2026 is scheduled to take place from June 1–7, 2026, with ICON Bali Mall as the main hub, screenings at Cinema XXI, and additional venues across Sanur.
The Road to Balinale 2026 event brought together members of the local community alongside representatives from hospitality, media, arts, business, and cultural sectors. More than just a prelude, the gathering reflected Sanur’s growing role as a cultural host where international cinema and local communities intersect within Bali’s rich cultural landscape.
As Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award Qualifying Festival, Balinale continues to strengthen its international standing. Since being officially recognized as an Oscar® Qualifying Festival in 2024, it has provided a stronger pathway for filmmakers to gain global recognition, particularly through its short film competition.
The festival’s growth is reflected in increasing international participation. In 2024, Balinale showcased 60 films from 25 countries, while in 2025 it expanded to more than 70 films from 32 countries. For 2026, the festival recorded over 1,300 submissions worldwide, with 100 selected films from 35 countries, including numerous world, international, and Asian premieres.
Balinale 2026 also continues to support the development of Indonesian cinema, highlighting emerging directors, the strength of fiction and documentary storytelling, as well as advancements in animation and screen technology.
Founder and Festival Director of Balinale, Deborah Gabinetti, emphasized that the festival is about more than film screenings.
“Balinale has always been about more than screening films. It is about creating connections—between cultures, communities, and meaningful stories. Through Road to Balinale 2026, we are pleased to begin that journey in Sanur, a place with warmth and a strong sense of community,” she said.
Beyond screenings, Balinale also contributes to talent development and international creative collaboration, including initiatives such as Art of the Score in partnership with The Juilliard School, connecting emerging composers with filmmakers from around the world.
Balinale 2026 is supported by key partners, including ICON Bali Mall as venue partner, Cinema XXI as official cinema partner, and The Meru Sanur as official hotel and venue partner. The festival also receives support from national and regional government institutions, including the Ministry of Culture, Ministry of Tourism and Creative Economy, Bali Provincial Government, and Denpasar City Government.
This year’s festival will feature a series of highlights, including Opening Day on June 1, the Bali Film Forum at The Meru Sanur, a special OceanX screening as part of Bali Ocean Days, the Awards Night, and an open-air closing event.
Through Road to Balinale 2026, Sanur is positioned not only as a venue but as part of a broader global cinematic conversation. With the ocean as its backdrop and a strong sense of community, the event sets a warm and memorable tone ahead of the festival in June.***
