Festival start: 15 December 2026
Festival end: 20 December 2026
NOIA is a university film festival that originated at a Brazilian public university. It was created by students who wanted to make their own films, share their stories, and create spaces for exhibition, dialogue, and artistic exchange. Since 2002, the festival has evolved alongside changes in culture, education, and the audiovisual industry, building a legacy defined by training, diversity, innovation, and the empowerment of new generations of filmmakers.
In its 24th edition, the NOIA Festival reaffirms its commitment to democratizing access to culture, fostering exchange among universities, artists, and institutions, and promoting independent cinema created by students and emerging filmmakers from Brazil and around the world.
In 2026, the festival celebrates the theme “Women-Made Cinema,” highlighting the strength of women's narratives, the diversity of perspectives, and the vital contributions women have made and continue to make to the history and future of audiovisual storytelling. The program encourages reflection on representation, inclusion, gender equity, and the challenges women face in the fields of film creation, production, and exhibition.
Held in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, NOIA brings together competitive screenings, panel discussions, workshops, forums, educational activities, and accessibility initiatives, strengthening the connection between art, education, and social transformation.
The 24th NOIA Festival is organized by PROPONO Cultural Consulting, with the support of partner institutions and sponsors who believe in the power of culture as a catalyst for human and social development.
To complete your registration, please send your Proof of Enrollment and NOIA Festival Participation Declaration to:
noia@propono.com.br
For more information and the full regulations:
Festival NOIA Official Website
Thank you for participating in the 24th NOIA Festival. We wish you success with your submission and look forward to celebrating cinema with you in Fortaleza!
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITIVE SHOWCASE (WORLD) – 10 SELECTED FILMS
Best Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Critics’ Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Audience Award (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Documentary Short Film (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sustainability Theme (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Director (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Production (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Editing (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Cinematography (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Actress (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Actor (Printable Digital Certificate)
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION COMPETITIVE SHOWCASE (WORLD SHORT ANIMATED FILM) – 10 SELECTED FILMS
Best Animated Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Critics’ Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Audience Award (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Director (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Production (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Printable Digital Certificate)
NATIONAL COMPETITIVE SHOWCASE (BRAZIL) – 20 SELECTED FILMS
Best Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Critics’ Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Audience Award (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Documentary Short Film (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Women’s Theme (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sustainability Theme (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Director (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Production (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Editing (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Cinematography (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Costume Design (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Makeup (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Actress (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Actor (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Ensemble Cast (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
CEARÁ STATE COMPETITIVE SHOWCASE – 10 SELECTED FILMS
Best Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Critics’ Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Short Film – Audience Award (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
ACCESSIBLE NOIA KIDS SHOWCASE – 10 SELECTED FILMS
Best NOIA Kids Animated Short Film (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
ONLINE AUTEUR SHOWCASE – 20 SELECTED FILMS
Best YouTube Engagement (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
CEARÁ ONLINE SHOWCASE – 10 SELECTED FILMS
Best YouTube Engagement (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
MUSIC VIDEO SHOWCASE – 10 SELECTED WORKS
Best Music Video (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Song (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Lyrics (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Director (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Printable Digital Certificate)
RULES AND REGULATIONS OF THE 24TH NOIA – INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY AUDIOVISUAL FESTIVAL – 2026
1. INTRODUCTION
The 24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival is an event dedicated to audiovisual education, exhibition, promotion, and exchange. Held in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, it brings together students, filmmakers, educators, researchers, cultural producers, and the general public.
The 24th edition will take place from December 15 to 20, 2026, at the Dragão do Mar Center of Art and Culture and on digital platforms.
Festival Theme
“Women-Made Cinema”
This edition celebrates women's storytelling, women filmmakers, and the diverse perspectives that contribute to the development of contemporary audiovisual culture.
2. SUBMISSIONS
2.1 Submission Period
Submissions are free of charge and will be accepted from:
August 18 to October 18, 2026
exclusively through the Festhome platform.
2.2 Eligibility
The festival is open to:
Undergraduate students;
Graduate students;
Technical school students;
Federal institute students;
Students enrolled in independent audiovisual training programs;
Elementary and high school students in designated categories.
2.3 Eligible Works
The following formats will be accepted:
Fiction;
Documentary;
Animation;
Experimental;
Hybrid productions;
Music videos.
2.4 Running Time
Short Films: up to 20 minutes, including credits.
Music Videos: up to 7 minutes, including credits.
2.5 Completion Date
Only works completed between:
January 2024 and August 2026
will be eligible.
2.6 Restrictions
The following will not be accepted:
Incomplete productions;
Works previously selected for any edition of NOIA;
Works that infringe copyright laws;
Discriminatory content or content that promotes violence.
3. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION
The following documents are required to validate submissions:
University Categories
Proof of enrollment;
Student declaration or enrollment certificate;
Valid student ID card.
Other Categories
Official documentation proving eligibility for the respective category.
Promotional Materials
Poster;
Synopsis;
Two high-resolution still images;
Director's photo;
Short biography.
4. COMPETITIVE SECTIONS
4.1 International Competition
10 selected works.
4.2 International Animation Competition
10 selected works.
4.3 National Competition
20 selected works.
4.4 Ceará Competition
10 selected works.
4.5 Accessible NOIA Kids Showcase
10 selected works.
4.6 online Auteur Showcase
20 selected works.
4.7 Ceará online Showcase
20 selected works.
4.8 Music Video Competition
10 selected works.
5. awards
INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION (WORLD)
Best Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy + Certificate)
Best Short Film – Critics' Jury (Trophy + Certificate)
Best Short Film – Audience Award (Certificate)
Best Documentary Short Film (Certificate)
Best Sustainability Theme (Certificate)
Best Director (Trophy + Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Certificate)
Best Production (Certificate)
Best Editing (Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Certificate)
Best Cinematography (Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Certificate)
Best Actress (Certificate)
Best Actor (Certificate)
INTERNATIONAL ANIMATION COMPETITION
Best Animated Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy + Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Critics' Jury (Trophy + Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Audience Award (Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Certificate)
Best Director (Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Certificate)
Best Production (Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Certificate)
NATIONAL COMPETITION
Best Short Film – Official Jury
Best Short Film – Critics' Jury
Best Short Film – Audience Award
Best YouTube Engagement
Best Documentary
Best Women's Theme
Best Sustainability Theme
Best Director
Best Screenplay
Best Production
Best Editing
Best Sound Design
Best Cinematography
Best Art Direction
Best Costume Design
Best Makeup
Best Actress
Best Actor
Best Ensemble Cast
All awards include a NOIA Trophy and a Digital Certificate.
CEARÁ COMPETITION
Best Short Film – Official Jury
Best Short Film – Critics' Jury
Best Short Film – Audience Award
Best YouTube Engagement
All awards include a NOIA Trophy and a Digital Certificate.
ACCESSIBLE NOIA KIDS SHOWCASE
Best NOIA Kids Short Film
NOIA Trophy and Digital Certificate.
online AUTEUR SHOWCASE
Best YouTube Engagement
NOIA Trophy and Digital Certificate.
CEARÁ online SHOWCASE
Best YouTube Engagement
NOIA Trophy and Digital Certificate.
MUSIC VIDEO COMPETITION
Best Music Video
Best Song
Best Lyrics
Best Director
Best YouTube Engagement
6. SELECTION PROCESS
All submitted works will be evaluated by a selection committee composed of audiovisual professionals, researchers, educators, filmmakers, and invited critics.
The evaluation criteria include:
Originality;
Technical quality;
Narrative strength;
Direction;
Innovation;
Cultural relevance;
Compliance with these regulations.
The decisions of the festival's selection committee are final.
7. ACCESSIBILITY
The Festival is committed to accessibility through:
Brazilian Sign language (Libras);
Closed captioning;
Audio description;
Accessible venues;
Accessible digital content;
Priority assistance and services.
Accessible productions may receive special visibility within the festival program.
8. COPYRIGHT AND AUTHORIZATION
By completing a submission through Festhome, the applicant automatically declares that they:
Hold all exhibition rights for the submitted work;
Authorize its screening at the NOIA Festival;
Authorize its exhibition in onsite, online, and traveling festival programs;
Authorize the use of excerpts, images, and promotional materials for festival publicity purposes;
Assume full responsibility for all copyrights, image rights, and music rights associated with the work.
No physical authorization form is required during the submission process.
The electronic acceptance of these terms on the Festhome platform shall be legally binding.
Sole Paragraph
Directors of selected films must provide:
The Declaration of Participation in the 24th NOIA Festival;
Proof of student status during the period in which the film was produced;
Promotional photographs;
Complete technical credits;
Film synopsis;
High-resolution screening link;
subtitle file in the film's original language for exhibition purposes during NOIA Festival activities.
9. DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT
Selected works may be exhibited:
On the official NOIA Festival YouTube channel;
Through the festival's official social media platforms;
In both virtual and onsite festival screenings.
Audience voting will take place through digital platforms designated by the festival organization.
10. SCHEDULE
Stage DateOpening of Submissions August 18, 2026
Submission deadline October 18, 2026
Selection Process November 2026
Announcement of Selected Films November 2026
Program Release December 2026
NOIA Festival December 15–20, 2026
11. FINAL PROVISIONS
Submission to the Festival implies full acceptance of these Rules and Regulations.
Any matters not covered herein shall be resolved by the NOIA Festival Board of Directors.
Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil
24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival – 2026
Theme: Women-Made Cinema
APPENDIX 1 (english)
Please copy and paste the text below into a Word document, sign it, and convert it to PDF.
DECLARATION OF PARTICIPATION IN THE 24TH NOIA – INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY AUDIOVISUAL FESTIVAL / IMAGE USE AUTHORIZATION AND COPYRIGHT ASSIGNMENT AGREEMENT
We hereby authorize the organizers of the NOIA Festival, free of charge, to use and exhibit the image of the director and all other credited participants listed in the technical credits, with or without audio, in any advertising, journalistic, promotional, or institutional materials related to the Festival, whether physical or digital, in this or future editions.
We authorize the screening of the submitted film in activities related to the NOIA Festival for promotional, educational, and cultural purposes through any exhibition platform, including online, television, or in-person screenings, in this and future editions. This authorization is granted for an indefinite period, and the assignment of economic copyright is granted free of charge for a term of seventy (70) years, binding successors and assigns of all parties.
We assume full and exclusive responsibility, including rights of indemnification and recourse, for any claim, dispute, or litigation related to plagiarism or any infringement of copyright, administrative, or civil rights.
We agree that all communications sent through the contact information provided by the person responsible for the submission shall be deemed valid and effective. We undertake to keep such information updated and acknowledge that failure to do so shall not entitle us to any compensation, payment, or claim arising from not receiving communications sent to the registered contact details.
For all legal purposes, the courts of Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, shall have exclusive jurisdiction.
DIRECTOR / PERSON RESPONSIBLE FOR THE FILM
LOCATION (CITY / STATE / COUNTRY): _______________________________________
and I accept full responsibility for all acts and activities related to their artistic participation in the 24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival.
________________________ (City/Country), _______ of ____________________, 2026.
_______________________________________
Signature of Legal Guardian
Other countries
Short Films >1' 20'< (2024+)
No Fee
Submissions deadline
18 Oct 26
Save up
0€
Submit
Showcases Open to International Filmmakers
International filmmakers may submit their works to several sections of the 24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival, creating opportunities for international visibility, cultural exchange, and dialogue with students, emerging filmmakers, and audiovisual professionals from Brazil and around the world.
International Competitive Showcase (World)
Open to student and emerging filmmaker productions from any country, this section features short films in fiction, documentary, experimental, and hybrid formats. A total of 10 films will be selected to compete in the Festival’s international competition.
International Animation Competitive Showcase (World Short Animated Film)
Dedicated exclusively to animated short films, this section welcomes works from both international and Brazilian filmmakers. 10 animated films will be selected to participate in the competition.
Accessible NOIA Kids Showcase
Focused on films created for children and young audiences, this section highlights accessibility and audience development initiatives. 10 films will be selected for exhibition.
Music Video Showcase
Open to music videos produced by students and emerging filmmakers from around the world. The showcase celebrates creativity, musical expression, and audiovisual innovation. 10 music videos will be selected for competition.
All selected works become part of the Festival’s official program and will have the opportunity to reach diverse audiences, participate in cultural exchange activities, and compete for awards and international recognition. ????✨
Brasileiros
Short Films 20'<
No Fee
Submissions deadline
18 Oct 26
Save up
0€
Submit
Showcases Open to Brazilian Films
Brazilian films may be submitted to several sections of the 24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival, expanding opportunities for exhibition, circulation, and recognition of new audiovisual productions.
National Competitive Showcase (Brazil)
Dedicated to Brazilian students and emerging filmmakers, this section features short films in fiction, documentary, animation, experimental, and hybrid formats produced throughout the country. A total of 20 films will be selected to compete in a variety of artistic and technical award categories.
International Animation Competitive Showcase (World Short Animated Film)
Exclusively dedicated to animated short films, this section accepts both Brazilian and international productions. 10 films will be selected to participate in the competition.
Ceará Competitive Showcase
Open to productions made in the State of Ceará or by Ceará-based filmmakers. The showcase aims to promote and celebrate local audiovisual production and will select 10 films.
Accessible NOIA Kids Showcase
A section dedicated to films aimed at children and young audiences, with a focus on accessibility and audience development. 10 films will be selected.
Online Auteur Showcase
A non-theatrical section dedicated to author-driven productions, screened through the Festival’s digital platforms. 20 films will be selected.
Ceará Online Showcase
Focused on the digital exhibition of productions from Ceará, strengthening the visibility of local audiovisual works. 10 films will be selected.
Music Video Showcase
Open to music videos created by students and emerging filmmakers from Brazil and around the world. 10 works will be selected for competition.
All showcases are part of the Festival’s official program and provide opportunities for exhibition, cultural exchange, and awards recognition for the selected works. ????✨
Animated short film
Short Films >1' 20'< (2024+)
No Fee
Submissions deadline
18 Oct 26
Save up
0€
Submit
International Animation Competitive Showcase (World Short Animated Film)
The International Animation Competitive Showcase is one of the official competitive sections of the 24th NOIA – International University Audiovisual Festival, dedicated to celebrating the creativity, innovation, and artistic excellence of animated short films produced by students and emerging filmmakers from around the world.
The showcase welcomes animated works completed between January 2024 and August 2026, regardless of animation technique, including traditional animation, 2D, 3D, stop-motion, experimental animation, and hybrid formats. Selected films must have a maximum running time of 20 minutes, including credits.
A total of 10 animated short films will be selected to participate in the competition and will be evaluated by a jury composed of audiovisual professionals, researchers, educators, filmmakers, and critics. The selection process is based on criteria such as originality, technical quality, storytelling, direction, innovation, cultural relevance, and compliance with the festival regulations.
As part of the Festival's 2026 theme, “Women-Made Cinema,” the showcase also encourages works that explore diverse perspectives and contribute to discussions on representation, inclusion, and gender equity within contemporary audiovisual culture.
The selected films compete for the following awards:
Best Animated Short Film – Official Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Critics’ Jury (Trophy and Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Animated Short Film – Audience Award (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best YouTube Engagement (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Director (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Screenplay (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Production (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Sound Design (Printable Digital Certificate)
Best Art Direction (Printable Digital Certificate)
The screenings will take place during the 24th NOIA Festival, held from December 15 to 20, 2026, in Fortaleza, Ceará, Brazil, and through the Festival's digital platforms, fostering international exchange between creators, students, and audiences passionate about animation. ????✨
