Bali’s most anticipated film festival is back. And this year, Hong Kong is bringing six of its best.
The Bali International Film Festival (Balinale) 2026, scheduled for June 1 to 7 at The Icon XXI in Sanur, will feature six selected films from the Asian Film Academy Awards (AFAA) as part of the Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation. The collaboration returns after AFAA’s absence in 2025.
“This year, Balinale and AFAA are presenting films with diverse quality,” said Deborah Gabinetti, founder and festival director of Balinale, in a written statement on Monday, May 25, 2026.
The lineup spans genres: action, comedy, drama, and historical science fiction. One actor from the featured film Road to Vendetta, Jeffrey Ngai, is scheduled to attend and speak at the Bali Film Forum on Wednesday, June 3.
For expats and travelers seeking cultural depth beyond beaches and sunsets, Balinale offers a rare opportunity to experience Asian cinema at a world-class level — without leaving the island.
The Films
1. Road to Vendetta (2025)
Director: Njo Kui-Ying | 108 minutes
Cast: Jeffrey Ngai, Sara Minami, Chu Pak-Him, Rosa Maria Velasco, Naoto Takenaka, Takumi Saitoh, Hong Yu-hong
A Hong Kong-Japan co-production, this action thriller channels the spirit of 1990s assassin films — think John Wick with a classic Hong Kong twist. Jeffrey Ngai stars in his first leading role as Assassin No. 4, a hitman trapped in a dangerous mission in Japan. Festival audiences have praised its homage to classic Hong Kong action styling.
2. Night King (2026)
Director: Ng Wai-lun | 132 minutes
Cast: Dayo Wong, Sammi Cheng, Louise Wong, Fish Liew, Yeung Wai-lun, Lo Chun-yip, Ho Kai-wa, Renci Yeung
The first on-screen pairing of Dayo Wong and Sammi Cheng delivers a bittersweet love-hate dynamic in this comedy-drama. Set in 2012, the film follows a veteran nightclub manager forced to work with his ex-wife — now his new boss — as they fight to save the club from a corporate takeover. Lavish set design, sharp dialogue, and genuine emotional weight.
3. Golden Boy (2025)
Director: Chan Wai-koon | 92 minutes
Cast: Louis Cheung, Eric Tsang, Lemak Lam, Leander Lau, Rosa Maria Velasco, Pak-hong Chu, Gladys Li
A former boxing champion nicknamed “Golden Boy” is released from prison after ten years and meets the son he never knew. To claim his mother’s inheritance, he must become a father, confront past regrets, and step back into the ring to find his purpose again.
4. Gamer Girls (2025)
Directors: Sophie Yang, Veronica Bassetto | 102 minutes
Cast: Angela Yuen Lai-Lam, Alma Kwok, Sabrina Cheung, Jeannie Ng Ka-Yan, Ng Wing-Sze, Chase Chan Chung-Chak, Max Cheung Tat-Lun, Vincci Cheuk Wan-Chi
A group of women fight to rebuild an all-female e-sports team in Hong Kong. Facing stereotypes and pressure from game authorities, they race against time to recover all player accounts before selection. Ambitious visual effects and a compelling portrayal of the e-sports world elevate this beyond conventional underdog stories.
5. Ciao UFO (2019)
Director: Patrick Leung Pak-Kin | 121 minutes
Cast: Chui Tien-You, Wong Yau-Nam, Charlene Choi Chuek-Yin, Michelle Wai Si-Nga, Ng Siu-Hin, Rachel Leung
One night in 1980, residents of the Wah Fu housing estate in Aberdeen witnessed a giant UFO hovering above them for five minutes. The phenomenon — never proven nor explained — becomes a turning point for three young people living in the complex. A meditative, nostalgic drama about memory, mystery, and growing up.
6. Back to the Past (2025)
Directors: Ng Yuen-Fai, Jack Lai Jan-Lung | 107 minutes
Cast: Louis Koo, Raymond Lam, Bai Baihe, Jessica Hsuan, Sonija Kwok, Joyce Tang, Michael Miu, Louis Cheung, Kevin Chu, Wu Yue, Timmy Hung, Chris Collins, Liu Kai-Chi
A sequel to the legendary 2001 Hong Kong television series A Step into the Past. Time traveler Hong Siu-lung, who has lived in seclusion for twenty years during the Qin Dynasty, is pulled back into conflict when the Emperor — his former student — is attacked by a mysterious team armed with advanced weapons from the future. The film marks the final screen appearance of the late actor Liu Kai-chi.
What This Means for Film Lovers in Bali
Balinale has long been the island’s premier cinematic event, bringing international films to local audiences who rarely get access to festival circuits outside major cities like Jakarta or Singapore.
For expats, it is a cultural lifeline. For travelers, it is a reason to extend a trip. For local film enthusiasts, it is rare chance to see Hong Kong cinema — with its distinct blend of action, melodrama, and social commentary — on the big screen.
The Hong Kong Film Gala Presentation runs throughout the festival. Tickets will be available at The Icon XXI in Sanur.
For one week in June, Bali is not just a beach destination. It is a cinema city.
