NOAM Faenza Film Festival is Italy’s first and only film festival dedicated to independent cinema from North America — including the USA, Canada, and Mexico — and is held annually in the city of Faenza, Emilia-Romagna. The 2026 edition, taking place from November 11 to 15, presents a bold and diverse program. NOAM 2026 will have a special country focus on Mexico, with particular priority given to films from this country, highlighting the richness and diversity of its contemporary cinema.
The festival is structured into six main sections for feature films:
NOAM Concorso, the feature competition showcasing bold new visions from North American directors;
NOAM Extra, a curated selection of out-of-
competition titles;
NOAM Classic, featuring landmark films from the region’s cinematic history;
NOAM Special, dedicated to retrospectives and tributes, including a prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award;
NOAM Preview, presenting pre-festival events and free screenings;
NOAM Anteprima, a regional tour of screenings and talks across Emilia-Romagna.
The short film competitions include NOAM Lab, tailored to schools and youth audiences. This section is enriched by a special out-of-competition program.
