Print History! Two Balinale 2025 Winning Films Pass the Preliminary Selection of the 2026 Oscars

The Boy with White Skin (IST) Film Trailer

JAKARTA - The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) has recorded a new milestone in the global film scene. In its first year as an Academy Awards-qualified festival, two Balinale 2025 winners have officially entered the short list by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) for the 2026 Oscar event.

This achievement reinforces Balinale's position as the main gateway for quality works to gain recognition on the highest stage of world cinema.

The first film to make it through the selection was "The Boy with White Skin" by director Simon Panay (France).

Competed in the Best Live-Action Short Film category, this film presents an emotional story about an albino child who is entrusted by his father to a group of gold miners, where he becomes their only hope.

Meanwhile, from the Best Animated Short Film category, the name "Retirement Plan" by director John Kelly (Ireland) emerged. This film tells the story of a character named Ray who fantasizes about everything he wants to do in his retirement, when he finally has the luxury of time.

In addition to the two films, several other works affiliated with Balinale are also in consideration for the Oscars, including: • Amal | Hope (Eros Zhao, USA) - Winner of the Best Short Documentary Balinale 2025. • 12 Inch Pianist (Lucas Ansel, USA) - Official Selection of Balinale and winner of the 52nd Student Academy Award. • The Professional Parent (Erik Jasan, Slovakia) - Official Selection of Balinale 2024.

The journey to the gold cup is still long. The Academy is scheduled to announce the five final nominated films for the short film category on January 22, 2026.

In total, there are 24 categories to compete for, with the Oscars' peak night of winners announced on March 15, 2026.

As the only festival in Indonesia that has Academy Awards qualifications, Balinale is a unique platform that bridges local and international talent. This festival is not just a film screening event, but a space for creators to build networks, find investment opportunities, and gain global exposure.

Looking to the future, Balinale is preparing to hold a special 19th edition in 2026. Located in Sanur, Bali, the upcoming festival will expand its program with a focus on strengthening Indonesia's creative industries and attracting international investment through community and creativity collaborations.

For filmmakers who want to follow in the footsteps of success on the Oscar stage, Balinale has now officially opened film submissions for the 2026 edition through FilmFreeway. The deadline for the last registration is March 15, 2026.

Balinale's success in making it to the Oscar selection is a reminder for local filmmakers that opportunities to enter the global film industry are now wide open in the country. Balinale provides its platform; now it's time for industry players to take advantage of it.