Balinale founder joins SXSW, becoming a platform for film diplomacy

Balinale International Film Festival (Balinale) has expanded its international engagement through two prestigious events: the International Festival of Films on Art (LeFIFA) in Canada and South by Southwest (SXSW) in the United States. Deborah Gabinetti, founder and director of Balinale, has been officially named as a juror in the international competition for feature films at LeFIFA 44, to be held 12–22 March 2026 in Montreal. She has also been appointed as an industry mentor for film and television at SXSW, in Austin, Texas, during the same period.

Balinale, the first Indonesian festival to qualify for the Academy Awards in 2025, continues to strengthen its profile. One Balinale 2025 winner in the short animation category, Retirement Plan, has secured an Oscar nomination for 2026, with the winner to be announced on 15 March 2026. Gabinetti emphasised that these achievements represent concrete steps to elevate local filmmakers to a higher level.

‘This appointment is global recognition of the industry standards we have built. Through collaboration with LeFIFA and SXSW, Balinale is committed to becoming an incubator for Indonesian talent to connect directly with international film industry leaders,’ Gabinetti said in a press release received by Media Indonesia on Friday, 5 March.

Now entering its 19th year, Balinale 2026 will take place 1–7 June in Sanur, Bali, further clarifying its vision. Through the Bali Film Forum programme, the festival will connect local screenwriters with international film professionals. For filmmakers seeking to network on the world stage, submissions are still open via FilmFreeway until 15 March 2026.