NusaBali reports that the 19th Bali International Film Festival – BALINALE drew to a close on Friday, 05 June 2026, with the final awards ceremony announcing winning films across seven categories, celebrating the exceptional creative and technical teams for their captivating storytelling and quality of filmmaking.
The jury was composed of Indonesian and International film professionals, including Yosep Anggi Noen, David Hanan, Dr. Eros Zhao, Joseph J.U. Taylor, Denise Castelli, Marcella Zalianty, Annissa Nurul Shanty Kusuma Wardhani Heryadie, I Made Denny Chrisna Putra, Nirartha Bas Diwangkara, and Richard Todd.
The closing event was held at The Meru Sanur, Bali Beach Garden, and featured a special live performance by Indonesian singer, and actress Shanty.
And the winners announced at the 2026 BALINALE closing ceremony were:
Short Documentary
Winner: The Tuners by Pawel Chorzepa (Poland)
Jury statement: “What elevates the film beyond pure observation is how naturally it moves into something more sensory and experimental without losing its grounding in reality. Sound, silence, resonance, and duration are treated not simply as subjects, but as cinematic material. Pawel Chorzepa trusts the audience to feel the film’s rhythms rather than explain them, and that confidence gives the work a rare elegance.”””
Short Narrative
Winner: Ali – Adnan Al Rajeev (Bangladesh, Philippines)
Jury statement: “Ali approaches questions of identity, repression, and self-expression with remarkable cinematic sensitivity. Rather than relying on emotional excess, the film builds its power through atmosphere, restraint, and visual precision. Adnan Al Rajeev demonstrates a confident command of framing and rhythm, allowing silence, space, and performance to carry the story’s emotional weight. The film’s metaphorical treatment of voice and visibility feels both culturally specific and universally resonant.”
Special Mention: Close Your Eyes Hind – Amir Zaza (Netherlands)
Jury statement: A beautiful and utterly tragic portrayal of children caught in a war zone, their hopes and dreams -and lives- shuttered by war. Patel Akkad’s touching performance as Hind was highly evocative, both in recreating that infamous moment and in the quieter moments, where vulnerability, silence, and human presence emerge more powerfully than spectacle.
Short Animation
Winner: Lifetime Warranty – Daniel Lobos (Chile)
Jury statement: “As we approach a period where craftsmanship seems destined to be destroyed under the march of progress, Daniel Lobos’ film reminds us of the importance of manual labor. The amount of patience and dedication it takes to bring a story to life frame by frame is incredible. You can truly feel the heart in every single second of this animation. A pure masterpiece.”
As Indonesia’s first and only Academy Award® Qualifying Festival, winners of Balinale’s Best Short Film Award may now be eligible for consideration for the Oscar® competition for Best Short Film.
Best Short Film
Winner: The Tuners – Pawel Chorzepa (Poland)
Jury statement: “With stunning cinematography and beautiful soundscapes, Pawel Chorzepa’s film is an audiovisual treat. The story’s razor-sharp editing amplifies its unexpected midpoint twist and really elevates this documentary into high drama. All this is coupled with deep human observations and makes the film not only truly elegant but flawless.
Documentary Feature
Winner: The Designer Is Dead – Gonzalo Hergueta (Spain)
Jury statement: “A gorgeous story and a real honest archive of an artist who only wants to be true to his art, rather than the machine behind it. In a world where our best laid plans can be derailed by global forces beyond our control, Gonzalo Herguieta asks us how we should deal with our fates. What remains is a self-portrait of rare dignity and beauty.”
Special Mention: The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly – Ignacio Marín & Rubén Díez (Spain)
Jury statement: “An incredibly well-crafted observational documentary on the atrocities associated with needless wars. By watching The Rain Won’t Let Us Fly, we had our first opportunity to see on the ground the relentless toll the war is having on the communities of Ukraine. Ignacio Narin and Ruben Diez have crafted a brave and superbly made film.”
Narrative Feature
Winner: Aisha Can’t Fly Away – Morad Mostafa (Egypt)
Jury statement: “Maha Mohammed Al-Adwani’s work playing the central character is vigorous and gripping with every moment. The film is grim in many ways, but the solid acting and plot keep the audience hostage. Morad Mustafa teases the audience to want a peaceful ending, but doesn’t let them off the hook with a climax that is fitting nevertheless.”
Gary L Hayes Award for Emerging Indonesian Filmmaker
Sound Of Silence – Gavrila Angelina (Indonesia)
Jury statement: “We chose this film for the Gary L Hayes Award because of its impressive and timely storytelling and well-executed delivery. It’s a revealing film about how young people have become accustomed to life, with a nice twist at the end. It’s clear, very nicely shot, and to the point. The director is a promising star in the Indonesian film industry.”
Tapestry of Indonesia – Best Short Indonesian Film Amazing Fantastic Extraordinary People – Nadine Habsjah & Yusgunawan Marto (Indonesia)
Jury statement: “An audacious, ingenious, thought-provoking, and very professionally-made film with a highly pertinent topic: exploitation and manipulation of financially ignorant yet needy fellow citizens.’’ Directed with assurance by Nadina Habsjah and Yusgunawan Harto, the high-gloss production values emphasize the otherworldly performance of Ruth Marini, who dominates the film, in turn mesmerizing, vulnerable, and terrifying. The film’s expertly crafted story by Amanda Simandjuntak twists the audience’s expectations, leaving them dazzled but unsettled.”
Committee Choice Award Death Drive – Eolgul PARK (South Korea)
Jury statement:“ At once a psychological portrait and a social critique, ‘Death Drive’ imagines the possible stresses involved in an increasingly common form of employment – being a delivery man, whether using a car in competitive modern South Korea, or a sepeda motor, as in Bali. This universality allows a window into the superbly crafted characters and their detailed world.”
Committee Choice Award Grappling Grace – Alexander Kiehl & Misha Novak (United Kingdom)
Jury statement: “At a time when immigrants in the United Kingdom are often seen in a negative light, this is the perfect portrayal of a beautiful human being during a challenging time in his life. Uplifting and sad in equal measure, Alexander Kiehl and Misha Novak have built a film that is not only technically superb, but also imbued with hope and love.”
Balinale 2025 Jury Members:
Yosep Anggi Noen (Indonesia) – director, writer, producer
David Hanan (Australia) – Filmmaker and researcher
Dr Eros Zhao (United States) – Director and producer
Joseph J.U. Taylor (New Zealand) – Actor, director, writer and producer
Denise Castelli (Italy) – documentary development executive
Marcella Zalianty (Indonesia) – actress, director, entrepreneur
Annissa Nurul Shanty Kusuma Wardhani Heryadie (Indonesia) – singer and actress
I Made Denny Chrisna Putra (Indonesia) – filmmaker, lecturer and producer
Nirartha Bas Diwangkara (Indonesia) – Director and Writer
Richard Todd (Australia) – filmmaker and producer
Balinale 2026 received a record number of over 1,300 submissions from around the world, including Indonesia, reflecting the festival’s expanding international reach. Through its official categories, Short Narrative, Narrative Feature, Short Documentary, Documentary Feature, and Short Animation, the festival presented 94 films from 38 countries with 20 World, 10 International, and 26 Asian premieres, welcoming a rich range of stories and cinematic voices.
At the festival’s closing press conference on Saturday, 06 June 2026, Indonesian stars Nadya Arina and Andri Mashadi assessed Balinale’s crucial role in expanding filmmakers’ access to the international film industry. They stated that the festival serves as a space that brings together film creations and filmmakers, providing opportunities for broader collaboration, including at the international level.
Related Links
Road to BALINALE 2026: Supporting Sanur and Bali Tourism
Balinale: An Oscar® Qualifying Film Festival
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