Jetsettersblog

The award winners of the third annual Balinale International Film Festival were announced at a private party at Rock Bar, where industry and community figures applauded the festival’s work in developing Bali’s local film industry.

The Rock Bar event was the official wrap-up awards ceremony for the festival, which showcased 25 films from 13 countries by both international and Indonesian filmmakers.

The festival also offers free workshops for aspiring young filmmakers. Feature highlights this year included Australia’s “Mary and Max,” the opening for this year’s Sundance festival; America’s “Valentino: The Last Emperor”; Indonesia’s “Drupadi”; Italy’s “El Divo,” a winner at the 2008 Cannes Film Festival; and Quentin Tarantino’s “Inglourious Basterds.”

Standing on a rocky ‘stage’ jutting out from the cliff-face, festival Director Deborah Gabinetti announced the Audience Choice Awards, based on votes submitted during the six day-long festival. Carl Valiquet’s “Darah & Dupa” (Indonesia) won Best Short Film; “Still Bill” by Damani Baker (U.S.) won Best Documentary; “Tokyo Sonata” by Japan’s Kiyoshi Kurosawa won Best Feature Film; and “Still Bill” was recognized again for Best Overall Film.

The winner of the amateur short film competition was “The Angel & the Rajapala,” by Soma Helmi and Mila Schwaiko.

Ayana Resort and Spa General Manager Charles de Foucault welcomed the audience of filmmakers, actors, media, festival patrons and friends to the Rock Bar, an innovative open-top bar built on natural rocks directly over the ocean, beneath a towering cliff-face. “We are proud to support the Balinale International Film Festival and its goal to put Bali in the spotlight as a unique and feasible film location,” said de Foucault. “The island has long been the inspiration for scriptwriters, but thanks to Balinale and in particular to Deborah Gabinetti, it is now gaining a reputation as an excellent filming destination, which is exemplified by the filming of ‘Eat Pray Love.’”

Rock Bar itself resembled a scene from a movie, as acoustic performers Athron McCann and Richie Perrot sat on the rocks and performed original tracks for the audience, against a spectacular backdrop of a Bali sunset. Guests were served a selection of canapés and beverages including a special “Balinale on the Rocks” cocktail, which won a competition to find the festival’s signature drink. The Balinale International Film Festival was established in 2007 by Bali Film Center to provide an opportunity for international filmmakers to screen films to an Indonesian market while at the same time exposing the country’s unique culture, rich story ideas, and diverse locations to the international filmmaking community, as part of the mission to present Bali and Indonesia in the global film industry as a location rich in potentials for film productions and to promote the viable, creative and talented local Indonesian film industry.

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