NOAM Faenza Film Festival 2026: North American Independent Cinema, with Mexico in Focus
From 11 to 15 November 2026, the NOAM Faenza Film Festival returns to Faenza for its fourth edition, dedicated to independent cinema from the United States, Canada and Mexico. Five days across Cinema Europa, Cinema Sarti, the MEET NOAM space at the Molinella and the Manfrediana Library, with around thirty feature and short films, talks, an exhibition, a masterclass and over twenty guests.
The 2026 edition puts Mexico in focus, supported by IMCINE – the Mexican Film Institute – and with the Mexican Ambassador to Italy attending. Guest of honour and Career Award recipient is director Alonso Ruizpalacios (“Güeros”, “Museo”, “La cocina”), honoured with a retrospective and a masterclass on Sunday 15 November at Cinema Sarti, moderated by Eva Sangiorgi, artistic director of the Viennale.
Juries, NOAM LAB and Awards
NOAM LAB, the section devoted to film literacy, brings Faenza’s primary and secondary schools into the cinema over five mornings and hosts the international short-film competition, judged by a jury chaired by Yuri Ancarani with Alessia Gasparella and Irene Maiorino; the feature jury is chaired by Virgilio Villoresi. The awards ceremony takes place on Sunday 15 November at 6:00 PM at Cinema Sarti, with ceramic prizes by Faenza artist Andrea Salvatori.
Free Events
- An exhibition of posters by Mexican illustrator Naandeyé García Villegas, creator of the festival’s 2026 artwork, at MEET NOAM Molinella (opening Wednesday 11 at 7:00 PM).
- Talks with Alessio De Santa, Christian Raimo, Eva Sangiorgi and Alessia Gasparella, Giulia Zavagna (SUR publishing house), Cami Celis and Luca Di Sessa.
- Live episodes of the Casaba podcast with Yuri Ancarani and Virgilio Villoresi, and CineFacts Live with Yuri Ancarani.
Useful Information Summary
- Dates: 11 to 15 November 2026.
- Venues: Cinema Europa (Via Sant’Antonino 4, 11–12 November); Cinema Sarti (Via Scaletta 10, 13–15 November); MEET NOAM Molinella (Piazza della Molinella); Manfrediana Library (Via Manfredi 14).
- Tickets: film screenings are ticketed, with single tickets or passes on www.noamfestival.it and at cinema box offices; talks, exhibition and meetings are free.
- Organiser: cultural association Filmeeting APS, with support from the Emilia-Romagna Region and the Unione della Romagna Faentina.
- Info: info@noamfestival.it, phone 329 0062784, www.noamfestival.it.
