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Film Festival

Balinale — Bali International Film Festival

Independent Cinema from Around the World

Balinale, the Bali International Film Festival, has showcased independent and international cinema since 2007. Across a week of screenings, the festival brings feature films, documentaries, and shorts from dozens of countries to Bali, alongside filmmaker Q&As, industry events, and a celebration of Indonesian storytelling.

Founded in 2007, Balinale — the Bali International Film Festival — is Indonesia's longest-running international film festival and a respected fixture on the regional cinema calendar. Each year it presents a diverse programme of features, documentaries, animation, and short films selected from hundreds of submissions from around the world.

The festival champions independent and emerging filmmakers while also spotlighting Indonesian and Balinese talent, creating a meeting point between local storytellers and the international film community. Programming is wide-ranging, from world cinema and arthouse features to crowd-pleasing documentaries and bold short films.

Beyond the screenings, Balinale hosts filmmaker Q&A sessions, panels, and networking events, and it runs an industry arm that supports film production and education in Indonesia. For film lovers visiting Bali, it is a chance to catch films you might never see otherwise and to rub shoulders with directors and producers.

Screenings are typically held at cinemas in the south of Bali, making the festival easy to attend from Denpasar, Kuta, and the surrounding areas. Tickets are sold per screening, with passes available for keen festival-goers; check the official Balinale website for the programme, venues, and how to book.

Highlights

  • ✓ A week of international features, documentaries, and short films
  • ✓ Indonesia's longest-running international film festival (since 2007)
  • ✓ Filmmaker Q&As, panels, and industry networking events
  • ✓ A spotlight on Indonesian and Balinese storytelling
  • ✓ Independent and world cinema you rarely see elsewhere
  • ✓ Convenient cinema venues across the south of the island

Practical information

Location
Cinemas across South Bali
Admission
Tickets are sold per screening (with festival passes available) via the official Balinale website and partner cinemas.
Best time
Evenings and weekends see the biggest screenings and filmmaker events.
Category
Film Festival

Tips for visitors

  • • Browse the programme on the official Balinale website and plan your screenings early.
  • • Buy tickets per screening, or a pass if you plan to see many films.
  • • Popular films and Q&A sessions sell out — book ahead.
  • • Stay in or near Denpasar or Kuta for the easiest access to venues.
  • • Cinemas are heavily air-conditioned, so bring a light layer.
  • • Check session times carefully, as films play across multiple venues.
  • • Arrive early for filmmaker Q&As to grab a good seat.

Plan around this event