NusaBali reports that the 19th Bali International Film Festival – BALINALE drew to a close on Friday, 05 June 2026, with the final awards ceremony announcing winning films across a wide range of categories. BALINALE – the only Oscar-qualifying film festival in Indonesia has now placed several Indonesian short films into contention for honors at the 99th Annual Academy Awards – Oscars – slated to take place in Hollywood on 14 March 2027.
That films exhibited at BALINALE may someday become Oscar Winners has strengthened Bali’s role as a hub for international cinema.
This year’s BALINALE received more than 1,300 international film submissions. From that total, 94 films from 38 countries were eventually curated and screened during the week-long festival in Sanur, Bali.
The short documentary “The Tuners” by Polish filmmaker Pawel Chorzepa won both the Best Short Documentary and Best Short Film awards at Balinale 2026. The blue-ribbon jury lauded the film’s ability to deliver a powerful audio-visual experience through effective cinematography, sound design, and editing.
In the Short Narrative film category, Balinale cited Ali – a film by Adnan Al Rajeev from Bangladesh and the Philippines as the winner in its category. Meanwhile, the Short Animation Category was won by Lifetime Warranty by Daniel Lobos from Chile, which was deemed successful in highlighting the value of manual labor and dedication in the art of animation amidst technological advancements.
In the feature film category, the Best Feature Documentary award went to The Designer is Dead by Gonzalo Hergueta from Spain. Meanwhile, the Narrative Film award went to Aisha Can’t Fly Away by Egyptian director Morad Mostafa, which received recognition for the strength of its story and the outstanding performances of its cast.
Balinale also presented special awards to Indonesian filmmakers attending the festival. The Gary L. Hayes Newcomer’s Award to Indonesian Film was awarded to Sound of Silence by Gavrila Angelina. The Tapestry of Indonesia Award for Best Indonesian Short Film went to Amazing Fantastic Extraordinary People by Nadine Habsjah and Yusgunawan Marto.
Balinale Founder: Deboarh Gabinetti
Balinale has earned Academy Awards Qualifying Festival status since 2024. Accordingly, winners of the Balinale Short Film Category are now eligible for consideration in the selection process for the 2027 Oscars for the Best Short Film Category. Balinale is the first and only festival in Indonesia providing an official qualifying pathway to the Academy Awards.
At the festival’s closing press conference on Saturday, 06 June 2026, Indonesian stars Nadya Arina and Andri Mashadi assessed Balinale’s crucial role in expanding filmmakers’ access to the international film industry. They stated that the festival serves as a space that brings together film creations and filmmakers, providing opportunities for broader collaboration, including at the international level.
Founded in 2007 by Bali Film Center’s Deborah Gabrinetti, Balinale has grown into one of Asia’s most influential film festivals. With increasing international participation and its status as an Oscar-qualifying film event, Balinale is seen as further strengthening Bali’s position as a global cultural destination while opening greater opportunities for Indonesian filmmakers to compete on the global film stage.
Related Links
Road to BALINALE 2026: Supporting Sanur and Bali Tourism
Balinale: An Oscar® Qualifying Film Festival
About Bali Film Center
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