Sanur, June 1, 2025 — The 18th edition of the Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) has officially commenced at its new venue, ICON BALI Mall in Sanur. Taking place from June 1 to 7, 2025, the festival transforms Bali’s coastal area into a gathering point for film industry talents worldwide, further strengthening Indonesia’s position in the global cultural and creative economy landscape.
Balinale 2025 showcases more than 70 films from 32 countries, including 8 world premieres, 25 Asian premieres, 16 international premieres, and 23 Indonesian films. As the only Oscar-qualifying film festival in the country, Balinale has earned a solid reputation over nearly two decades as a key platform for high-quality cinema.
Agustini Rahayu, Deputy for Media Creativity at the Ministry of Creative Economy, emphasized that film is a strategic subsector for the creative economy’s development.
"The creative economy grows through original and innovative stories with a global perspective. Film not only serves as entertainment media, but also as a tool for cultural diplomacy, national identity, and economic drivers,” Agustini stated.
She added that Balinale serves as a meeting point for creators, producers, and institutions from around the world to build long-term collaboration. “This festival acts as a catalyst for the growth of Indonesia’s creative ecosystem,” Agustini said.
The festival opened with a screening of FLOW, an animated film by Gints Zilbalodis (Latvia) and a 2025 Academy Award winner.
The closing night will showcase two IMAX films produced in Indonesia:
- Under the Sea by Howard Hall (USA/Canada)
- Born to Be Wild by David Lickley (USA)
Highlighted Films at Balinale 2025
Featured Films:
- The Healer – Giuseppe Carleo (Italy)
- Lykke Post Partum – Alexe Landgren & Karen Helene Haugaard (Sweden)
- Seeking Haven for Mr. Rambo – Khaled Mansour (Egypt)
- A Place Far From Home – Diana Mashanova (Russia)
- Ravens – Mark Gill (Japan)
Feature-length Documentaries:
- Champions of the Golden Valley – Ben Sturgulewski (USA)
- Loot: A Story of Crime and Redemption – Don Millar (Canada)
- Opera as Lifeforce – Gunilla Palo Nordlund (Sweden)
- Scars of Growth – Monika Grassl & Linda Osusky (Austria, Germany)
- Paint Me a Road Out of Here – Catherine Gund (USA)
Narrative, documentary, and animated short films are also presented from a wide range of countries, including Indonesia, France, Brazil, Morocco, Japan, Spain, and China.
Balinale 2025 Jury Panel:
- Matthieu Rytz – Visual Storyteller
- Donna Smith – Executive Producer
- Sam Buckland – Programming Director, Australian Film Institute | AACTA
- Agustini Rahayu – Deputy, Ministry of Creative Economy
- Andi Bachtiar Yusuf – Film Director
- Dr. Lawrence Blair – Filmmaker & Anthropologist
Established in 2007 by the Bali Film Center (BFC), Balinale is known for its inclusive international program and its contribution to the growth of Indonesia’s film industry. The festival is supported by the Ministry of Creative Economy, the Ministry of Culture, the Provincial Government of Bali, and the Municipal Government of Denpasar.
The Ministry of Creative Economy continues to support Indonesia’s film industry through inclusive policies, facilitation of international market access, and cross-border cooperation that enhances the global competitiveness of the nation’s creative talents.
Kiagoos Irvan Faisal
Head of Bureau for Communication
Ministry of Creative Economy/Creative Economy Agency
