Balinale Announces New Home and Official Partnerships

Sun, Jun 1 - Sat, Jun 7 2025, All day

Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) proudly announces the 18th edition of the festival, taking place 1–7 June 2025, at its exciting new home and Official Venue Partner, Icon Bali Mall in Sanur.

As Indonesia’s first and only Oscar® Qualifying Film Festival, Balinale continues to expand its global influence, celebrating nearly two decades of bringing outstanding cinema to Indonesia while championing local creative industries. This year's move to Sanur signals a dynamic new chapter, which positions the seaside village as an emerging cultural hub on the international stage.

“Balinale shines a global spotlight on Sanur, setting the stage for meaningful opportunities and global recognition supported by these esteemed partners,” said Deborah Gabinetti, Founder and Festival Director. “Through the power of storytelling and cultural exchange, Sanur becomes more than a destination but a source of inspiration.”

A Premier Destination for Film, Arts, and Culture

The newly opened Icon Bali Mall (PT Grha Hatten Duasatu), Bali’s only beachfront retail and entertainment village, provides a vibrant backdrop for the festival. It is also the location of Cinema XXI, the festival’s Official Cinema Partner, featuring a four-studio multiplex including an IMAX theater. Cinema XXI, operated by PT Nusantara Sejahtera Raya Tbk, is Indonesia’s largest and most established cinema chain, boasting over 35 years in the film industry.

Balinale’s Official Hotel and Venue Partner, The Meru Sanur, a newly-opened luxury beachfront resort located in the Sanur Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for Health and Wellness Tourism Destination, will host distinguished guests and serve as the venue for the Festival's Awards Night Celebration and the Closing Night Party, featuring a traditional open-air cinema (layar tancap), an experience under the stars. With its harmonious blend of nature, luxury, and wellness, this all-suite resort exemplifies the warmth and hospitality of the Sanur community.

A Celebration of Global Storytelling

The week-long festival will present a compelling program of fiction, documentary, feature, and short films—both from Indonesia and across the globe. Balinale has built a strong reputation for curating entertaining and thought-provoking independent and award-winning films.

In 2024, Balinale showcased 60 films from 25 countries, with 41 premieres and participation from hundreds of filmmakers, celebrities, and industry professionals, drawing an audience of more than 5,600 attendees.

The festival is recognized by industry professionals for its forums where filmmakers collaborate and share, establishing affiliations that create programs that foster cultural exchange, and support community development that inspire the next generation of creatives.

Balinale receives enthusiastic support from national and regional government bodies for its contribution to culture, education, and the creative economy. As Minister of Creative Economy Teuku Riefky Harsya, recently stated: “We support Balinale and Sanur as a global-scale film and entertainment industry center.”