Congratulations, Balinale Festival Now Recognized By Oscar Qualification

JAKARTA - The 18th Balinale (Bali International Film Festival) will be held on June 1-7, 2025. What is different is that Balinale has been officially recognized as the Academy Award Qualification Festival.

As the 'Oscar Total Qualifying Festival', the winners of the Balinale Short Film Competition now if eligible can be considered in the Oscar total competition starting in the 98th year in the Best Short Film category.

This prestigious status given by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) is very meaningful for the implementation of the 18th Balinale in 2025. This status is also a regional pioneer in the expansion of the cultural and film industry, and marks an increase in Balinale status as well as an international film festival that is recognized globally. Balinale became the first festival in Indonesia to receive an Oscar

We are very pleased to receive recognition from Academy, I am Deborah Gabinetti, Director of the Balinale Festival in a media statement, Wednesday, October 23. She continued, that this recognition is a celebration of all previous achievements of Balinale and is a commitment for Balinale in the future. This will significantly improve the reputation of the festival and expand the ability to present various films with stories, both from Indonesia and around the world.

"Balinale will also provide a platform for filmmakers to gain international recognition, find new opportunities, improve their careers, and gain wider audience appreciation," he continued.

Balinale has a long history of presenting a variety of films, including documentaries, narratives, short films, and experimental works. Every year, the festival receives film submissions from filmmakers around the world and shows about 60 to 80 films after the selection process from the committee.

The factors to reach these highest levels are the effective committee, as well as its advisors who guide the festival. Selected films depict program diversity and uniqueness of stories, which are represented on quality cinemas.

The professional and creative affiliate of international industry's association supports arts and education programs. Partners and supporters who play a role in the success of the festival. In addition, enthusiastic audiences who appreciate a variety of challenging, impressive and expressive films.

Over the years, Balinale has collaborated with various partners who have contributed to extraordinary achievements so far. This collaboration includes: Asian Film Awards Academy, Motion Picture Association, American Film Showcase, Sundance Institute Film Forward, Hong Kong International Film Festival, Berlinale Spotlight Generation, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Asian Film Commissions Network, and The total School - Center for Innovation in the Arts.

"To expand our reach, Balinale will continue to establish affiliations and collaborations with institutions and organizations of the same view. The goal is to create world-class art education forums and festivals that highlight and nurture the talents of the next generation, which will next place Bali as a center of local and international culture," Gabinetti added.