Balinale 2025: A New Dawn for Storytelling by the Sea

Balinale – Bali International Film Festival (Balinale), Indonesia’s premier international film festival, enters its 18th edition with a fresh spirit and a new home in the coastal town of Sanur. Taking place from 1–7 June 2025, the festival will now be hosted at Icon Bali Mall, a vibrant beachfront destination that reflects the evolving creative energy of the island. As the only Oscar® Qualifying Film Festival in the country, Balinale continues to honour the power of storytelling as a bridge between cultures.

 

This new chapter is supported by a strong network of partners, including Cinema XXI and The Meru Sanur. These venues not only elevate the festival experience with world-class facilities, but also embrace the soul of Sanur—a community where tradition and innovation meet. The festival’s Awards Night and Closing Celebration will be held under the stars, paying tribute to the timeless magic of cinema with an open-air screening by the sea.

 

 

More than a showcase of global cinema, Balinale is a platform for dialogue, discovery, and inspiration. Each year, it brings together filmmakers, artists, and industry leaders to collaborate and exchange ideas, cultivating a spirit of creativity that reaches far beyond the screen. With over 5,600 attendees in 2024, including more than 100 industry professionals, the festival continues to grow as a cultural force both locally and internationally.

 

 

Balinale is deeply supported by national and regional governments for its contributions to the creative economy. As Sanur emerges as a destination for arts and wellness, the festival stands as a beacon for Indonesia’s expanding cultural landscape—one that welcomes the world to explore, create, and connect.