‘Ali’ wins another international prize, this time at Balinale 2026
Bangladeshi filmmaker Adnan Al Rajeev has added another international accolade to his growing list of achievements, as his acclaimed short film “Ali” won the Best Short Narrative award at the Bali International Film Festival: Balinale. The recognition marks yet another milestone in the film’s remarkable festival journey following its historic success at Cannes.
Set in a conservative coastal town where women are forbidden from singing, “Ali” follows a teenager who enters a singing competition in hopes of escaping to the city while concealing a secret about his voice.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. The 15-minute Bangladesh–Philippines co-production stars Al Amin and Indrani Soma and explores themes of identity, self-expression, and social restriction.
The latest award comes just days after “Ali” won Best Short Film in the International Competition section of the Kathmandu International Mountain Film Festival (KIMFF). Earlier, the film made history by receiving a Special Mention in the Short Film Competition at the 78th Cannes Film Festival, becoming the first Bangladeshi short film to achieve that distinction.
With its Balinale triumph, “Ali” continues to strengthen its position as one of Bangladesh’s most internationally celebrated short films, earning recognition across major global festivals and bringing further acclaim to the country’s independent cinema scene.
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