Ayana Rock Bar - Where the Stars Gather

(10/31/2009)

The award winners of the third annual Balinale International Film Festival were announced at a private party at the Ayana Resort Bali Rock Bar on Sunday, October 25, 2009 - a gala event where industry and community figures applauded the festival's work in developing the local film industry.

The Rock Bar event was the official wrap-up awards ceremony for the festival, which showcased 25 films from 13 countries by both international and Indonesian filmmakers. The festival also offered free workshops for aspiring young filmmakers.

Highlights of this year's festival included Australia's Mary and Max, the opening film at this the Sundance festival; America's Valentino: The Last Emperor; Indonesia's Drupadi; Italy's El Divo - a winner at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival; and Quentin Tarantino's Inglorious Basterds.

Standing on a rocky "stage" jutting out from the cliff-face, festival Director Deborah Gabinetti announced the Audience Choice Awards, based on votes submitted during the six day-long festival. Carl Valiquet's Darah & Dupa (Indonesia) won Best Short Film; Still Film by Damani Baker (USA) won Best Documentary; Tokyo Sonata by Japan's Kiyoshi Kurosawa won Best Feature Film; and Still Bill was recognized as Best Overall Film. The winner of the amateur short film competition was The Angel & the Rajapala, by Soma Helmi and Mila Schwaiko.

Ayana Resort and Spa, General Manager, Charles de Foucault, welcomed the audience of filmmakers, actors, media, and festival patrons and friends to the Rock Bar and the Resort. "We are proud to support the Balinale International Film Festival and its goal to put Bali in the spotlight as a unique and feasible film location," said Charles. "The island has long been the inspiration for script-writers, but thanks to Balinale and in particular to Deborah Gabinetti, it is now gaining a reputation as an excellent filming destination, which is exemplified by the filming of 'Eat Pray Love'."

About the Balinale International Film Festival

Balinale was established in 2007 by the Bali Film Center to provide an opportunity for international filmmakers to screen films to an Indonesian market while at the same time exposing the country's unique culture, rich story ideas, and diverse locations to the international filmmaking community. Also, as part of its mission, Balinale strives to present Bali and Indonesia to the global film industry as a location rich in potentials for film productions and to promote the viable, creative and talented local Indonesian film industry.