DENPASAR, balitourismnow.com – The 19th edition of the Bali International Film Festival, widely known as Balinale, continues to strengthen its position as an important meeting point for Asian and international cinema.
This year, Balinale presents the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, a special program in collaboration with the Asian Film Awards Academy (AFAA), supported by the Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office (HKETO).
The program is one of collaboration partner of Balinale 2026, taking place from 1-7 June 2026 in Sanur, Bali.
Through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, six selected Hong Kong films are presented to audiences in Bali, film communities, media, creative industry professionals, and international guests.
The six featured films are Road to Vendetta, Night King, Golden Boy, Gamer Girls, Ciao UFO, and Back to the Past.
Together, these films reflect the diversity and strength of contemporary Hong Kong cinema, ranging from action thriller, family drama, comedy, e-sports, urban nostalgia, to historical fantasy.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation features a special screening of Ciao UFO, directed by Patrick Leung Pak-Kin.
Set in Wah Fu Estate in Aberdeen, Hong Kong, during the 1980s, the film follows a mysterious UFO sighting that becomes a turning point in the lives of several young characters.
Through nostalgia, urban memory, and friendship, Ciao UFO captures the ability of Hong Kong cinema to portray social change and the collective memory of a community.
The presence of Amy Chin, producer of Ciao UFO, together with Wong You Nam, actor in the film, offered audiences and the film community an opportunity to gain deeper insight into the creative process behind the work.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation was attended by the Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Bali, together with China–Indonesia business communities, business leaders, industry professionals, filmmakers, and invited guests.
Their presence added significance to this partnership, reflecting the role of cinema as a bridge for cultural exchange, creative industry collaboration, and stronger people-to-people connections between Hong Kong, China, Indonesia, and the wider Asian region.
Balinale Founder and Festival Director Deborah Gabinetti said the ongoing collaboration with AFAA to Balinale reinforces the value of long-standing collaboration in bringing outstanding Hong Kong films to Bali.
“Continuing our long and successful partnership in bringing the best of Hong Kong cinema to Bali, the Asian Film Awards Academy returns to Balinale with an exciting program of Hong Kong films and special guest appearances,” said Deborah Gabinetti.
One of the highlights this year is the presence of Road to Vendetta movie, a Hong Kong-Japan action thriller by Albert Njo Kui-Ying, which brings back the energy of Hong Kong action cinema with a contemporary approach.
Its lead actor, Jeffrey Ngai, attended and shared his experience on the creative and production process of the film as part of the Bali Film Forum.
Other films that further enrich the program include Night King, a comedy drama that explores the dynamics of human relationships with humor and emotion; Golden Boy, a story of redemption, family, and the struggle of a former boxer; Back to the Past, a cinematic adaptation of one of Hong Kong’s classic television stories, which will also be attended by the film’s director, Jack Lai; and Gamer Girls, which highlights the world of e-sports, gender stereotypes, and the spirit of a young generation of women in creating their own space.
The presence of AFAA and HKETO at Balinale 2026 also strengthens the festival’s position as an important platform for cultural diplomacy and creative industry networking in the Asian region.
Through film, the relationship between Hong Kong, Indonesia, and the international cinema community can be built in a closer, more open, and more meaningful way.
Balinale 2026 takes place from 1–7 June 2026 in the Sanur area of Bali, with its main activities centered at ICON Bali Mall and Cinema XXI, along with several programs held at selected venues.
This year, Balinale presents 94 films from 38 countries, including world premieres, international premieres, Asian premieres, competition programs, industry forums, workshops, and special screenings.
Through the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation, Balinale 2026 not only celebrates Hong Kong cinema, but also affirms that film is a universal language capable of connecting cities, countries, generations, and people.[ian]