MedFilm Festival 2026, Rome, Italy

• 5 novembre 2026
  Date de l'événement :
• 15 novembre 2026
  Fin de l'événement :

À quoi s’attendre en 2026

MedFilm Festival 2026 returns to Rome for its 32nd edition, continuing its focus on Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and European cinema. The festival is one of Rome’s longest-running film events dedicated to the cinematographies and cultures of the Mediterranean, bringing together filmmakers, audiences, producers, distributors, critics and other film professionals.

The 2026 edition will take place both in cinemas and online, with an eleven-day programme combining feature films, documentaries, animation, experimental cinema, premieres, tributes, retrospectives, professional meetings, university masterclasses, literary presentations and conferences.

The main competitive sections are the Amore e Psiche International Feature Film Competition and the Methexis International Short Film Competition. The festival will also present additional awards and professional activities through MedMeetings, which reaches its tenth edition in 2026.

Dates des festivals

MedFilm Festival 2026 will take place from November 5 to 15, 2026, in Rome, with selected activities also available online.

The festival programme is expected to combine cinema screenings with professional meetings, premieres, special events, educational activities and cultural presentations throughout the eleven-day event.

The tenth edition of MedMeetings will take place within the festival framework on November 9 and 10, 2026, providing dedicated professional activities for the Euro-Mediterranean audiovisual sector.

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Lieux et lieux de festival

The complete 2026 venue schedule has not yet been published. Based on the most recent Rome edition, the principal festival locations include:

The Space Cinema Moderno
Piazza della Repubblica, 43/45
Rome, Italie

The cinema served as the principal venue in the previous edition, hosting the opening ceremony, feature-film competition, short-film programmes and awards ceremony.

Casa del Cinema
Largo Marcello Mastroianni, 1
Rome, Italie

Located inside Villa Borghese, Casa del Cinema has hosted festival screenings and special activities.

Teatro Palladium
Piazza Bartolomeo Romano, 8
Rome, Italie

The theatre has been used for screenings, literary events and special presentations.

Archivio Flamigni
Piazza Bartolomeo Romano, 6
Rome, Italie

The venue has hosted literary presentations and cultural meetings.

Sapienza University of Rome

University locations have hosted MedFilm masterclasses and educational activities involving filmmakers and screenwriters.

Additional 2026 locations will be confirmed in the official programme.

Programme complet

The 2026 programme is expected to cover a broad range of Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and European cinema.

The confirmed programme framework includes:

• Amore e Psiche International Feature Film Competition
• Methexis International Short Film Competition
• Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cinema
• European cinema
• Documentary films
• Animation
• Experimental cinema
• Projections spéciales
• Hommages et rétrospectives
• Focus programmes
• International and Italian premieres
• MedMeetings
• MedWIPs Works in Progress
• MedPitching
• MedFilm Talents
• University masterclasses
• Literary presentations
• Conférences et discussions
• Réunions de cinéastes

The festival’s 2026 announcement specifically describes the programme as covering fiction, documentary, animation and experimental cinema, while also highlighting professional meetings with emerging talents and established masters.

Films en vedette & premières

The complete 2026 film selection has not yet been announced.

The festival has confirmed that the edition will feature premieres alongside its competitive selections and special events. Films are selected from the Mediterranean, Middle East and Europe, with the programme designed to present contemporary cinema and different artistic approaches from the region.

The 2025 edition provides an indication of the festival’s international scope. It presented 83 films from 33 countries, including feature films, shorts and special screenings.

The 2025 opening film was Calle Málaga, directed by Maryam Touzani, while the programme also included films such as The Eagles of the Republic, Familia, Ocean with David Attenborough and a range of international short films.

The 2026 titles and premiere status will be confirmed through the official film guide.

Réalisateurs, acteurs et invités

The 2026 guest list has not yet been fully announced.

MedFilm traditionally brings directors, screenwriters, actors, producers and other cultural figures to Rome for screenings and discussions. The 2026 announcement specifically promises meetings with emerging talents and established masters.

The previous edition welcomed 60 guests, demonstrating the scale of filmmaker and industry participation associated with the festival.

Recent programmes have included filmmaker masterclasses and audience meetings with figures such as Tony Gatlif and screenwriter Valia Santella.

Confirmed 2026 guests will be announced with the detailed programme.

Calendrier des projections

The complete 2026 day-by-day screening schedule has not yet been released.

Based on the previous edition, the programme is expected to distribute screenings across the main cinema and additional cultural venues. Feature films, short-film competitions and special programmes can be scheduled in different halls, while literary and professional activities take place at partner institutions.

The schedule is expected to include:

• Feature-film competition screenings
• International short-film sessions
• Projections de documentaires
• Projections spéciales
• Focus programmes
• Rétrospectives
• Film premieres
• Réunions de cinéastes
• Masterclasses
• Événements littéraires
• Industry meetings
• Awards and closing events

Selected films are also expected to be made available online, continuing the hybrid format announced for the 2026 edition.

Types de billets et accréditations

2026 public ticket prices have not yet been announced. The previous edition provides the most recent published reference pricing.

The 2025 admission structure included:

• Full individual ticket: approximately $8.25
• Reduced ticket: approximately $7.08
• Full festival accreditation: approximately $118, including access to all festival screenings at The Space Cinema Moderno, plus catalogue and festival bag
• Ten-film accreditation: approximately $59
• Five-film accreditation: approximately $29.50

These amounts are approximate USD conversions of the previous edition’s published prices and are provided as reference figures for 2026 planning.

The reduced admission category previously applied to visitors including people over 65, people under 25 and holders of participating cultural membership cards. The 2026 eligibility rules and prices should be checked once the new ticketing information is published.

Industrie et accès professionnel

Professional activity is one of the central elements of MedFilm Festival.

The 2026 edition includes the tenth MedMeetings, taking place within the festival and designed to connect directors, producers, distributors and audiovisual professionals from Europe, the Mediterranean and the Middle East.

MedMeetings 2026 includes:

• MedWIPs – Works in Progress: fiction and creative documentary projects in post-production
• MedPitching: projects in development seeking international co-production connections
• Professional meetings
• Project development activities
• Industry networking
• International cooperation
• Opportunities for emerging filmmakers

The festival also continues its MedFilm Talents initiative for cinema students and its masterclass programme with established film professionals.

Tapis rouge & événements spéciaux

The festival combines major film screenings with opening and closing ceremonies, special presentations, retrospectives, tributes and cultural activities.

The previous edition opened at The Space Cinema Moderno with Calle Málaga and concluded with an awards ceremony at the same cinema.

The 2026 programme is expected to include:

• Opening ceremony
• Premières projections
• Projections spéciales
• Tribute programmes
• Rétrospectives
• Réunions de cinéastes
• OFF-style cultural discussions
• Literary presentations
• University masterclasses
• Industry events
• Awards ceremony

The festival’s special-event programme also extends beyond cinema through books, conferences and discussions addressing contemporary Mediterranean issues.

Règles du festival

The official 2026 regulations govern film submissions and competition participation. Entries for the 32nd edition are made exclusively through FilmFreeway, with the submission period closing on July 31, 2026.

The principal competitions are:

• Amore e Psiche: International Feature Film Competition
• Methexis: International Short Film Competition

The festival accepts films from the Mediterranean, Middle East and Europe according to the specific eligibility requirements contained in the official regulations.

Additional awards may be presented alongside the principal competition prizes, including awards connected with the festival’s institutional and cultural partners. MedMeetings has separate regulations for its Works in Progress and pitching activities.

Filmmakers should consult the official 2026 regulations before submitting because eligibility, premiere requirements, technical specifications and submission conditions are determined by the current edition’s rules.

Comment y arriver

Rome is served by two major international airports: Leonardo da Vinci–Fiumicino Airport and Ciampino Airport.

Fiumicino Airport has direct rail connections into central Rome, while both airports are also served by buses, taxis and private transfer services.

For visitors arriving by train, Roma Termini is particularly convenient because the principal 2025 festival venue, The Space Cinema Moderno, is located close to Termini and Piazza della Repubblica.

Visitors staying elsewhere in Rome can use the city’s Metro, tram and bus network to reach the various festival venues.

Transports en commun et stationnement

Public transport is generally the most practical way to move between MedFilm venues.

The Space Cinema Moderno: Metro A to Repubblica or Metro B to Termini, with Roma Termini approximately 500 metres away. Bus connections include routes serving Piazza della Repubblica and Termini.

Casa del Cinema: Accessible from Metro A stations including Spagna, Barberini and Flaminio, with several bus routes serving Villa Borghese.

Teatro Palladium: Accessible via Metro B at Garbatella, buses in the surrounding streets and tram line 3 near Porta San Paolo.

Parking in central Rome can be difficult, particularly around busy evening screenings. Visitors are generally better served by public transport, especially when moving between multiple festival locations.

Zones d’hébergement

Visitors attending MedFilm Festival can choose accommodation throughout central Rome.

Termini and Repubblica: Convenient for the principal cinema venue and well connected with Metro A, Metro B and railway services.

Monti: A central neighbourhood with restaurants, cafés and accommodation within convenient reach of Termini and the historic centre.

Esquilino: Useful for visitors seeking proximity to Termini while remaining close to central Rome.

Testaccio and Ostiense: Convenient for events at Teatro Palladium and the wider southern Rome cultural district.

Trastevere: A popular area for visitors who want restaurants, nightlife and historic streets while using public transport to reach festival venues.

Visitors attending professional activities at Sapienza may also consider accommodation around San Lorenzo and the university district.

Restauration et restauration

Rome offers an extensive choice of restaurants and cafés near the festival’s main venues.

Around Piazza della Repubblica and Termini, visitors can find traditional Roman restaurants, cafés, bakeries and quick dining options suitable for meals between screenings.

Near Teatro Palladium, the Ostiense and Garbatella areas offer trattorias, pizzerias, bars and contemporary restaurants.

Traditional Roman dishes to look for include carbonara, amatriciana, cacio e pepe, supplì and Roman-style pizza. Visitors can also find international and Mediterranean dining options throughout the city.

Because screenings and professional events can run throughout the day, visitors may find it convenient to choose restaurants close to each day’s principal venue.

Accessibilité

MedFilm has published accessibility and sustainable-mobility information for its principal venues.

The Space Cinema Moderno provides access through ramps at the entrance, a ramp to the foyer and an elevator connecting to the cinema halls. Its halls include designated wheelchair spaces and companion seating, as well as accessible toilets.

Casa del Cinema is described by the festival as fully accessible for people with disabilities. Teatro Palladium is also described as fully accessible.

Accessibility at other 2026 venues may vary, particularly for temporary or special-event locations. Visitors requiring specific assistance should contact the festival before attending.

Meilleures projections à laquelle assister

Amore e Psiche International Feature Film Competition: The principal feature-film competition is one of the central parts of the festival and showcases contemporary cinema from the Mediterranean, Middle East and Europe.

Methexis International Short Film Competition: A key section for discovering emerging filmmakers and shorter works from the region.

Special screenings: These programmes provide access to films outside the main competitions, including international works, retrospectives and cultural collaborations.

Tributes and retrospectives: Useful for visitors interested in established filmmakers, important works and the wider history of Mediterranean cinema.

MedMeetings: The most relevant programme for producers, distributors, filmmakers and audiovisual professionals interested in development and international cooperation.

Masterclasses: University masterclasses provide opportunities to hear established directors and screenwriters discuss filmmaking and their creative practices.

Faits marquants de l’année précédente

The 2025 MedFilm Festival was the 31st edition and presented 83 films from 33 countries, alongside 60 guests, special events, industry meetings, literary gatherings and masterclasses throughout Rome.

The official feature-film competition awarded the Amore e Psiche prize to The Eagles of the Republic by Tarik Saleh. The film was produced by Sweden and France and formed part of the festival’s international feature-film competition.

The 2025 programme also included short-film competition selections from countries including Serbia, Spain, Slovenia, Croatia, France, Algeria, Italy, Kosovo, Germany and Syria.

Special screenings included films such as The Dupes, The Time That Remains, Paul in Mayerling – A Portrait et Ocean with David Attenborough.

The festival also presented literary events, Masters of Cinema masterclasses, MedMeetings, MedWIPs, MedPitching and MedFilm Talents, demonstrating the event’s combination of public cinema programming and professional development.

Billets officiels et accréditation

Official 2026 ticket and accreditation details have not yet been published. The festival has confirmed that the 2026 edition will take place both in cinemas and online, with the detailed programme and access arrangements to follow.

For reference, the previous edition offered individual tickets at approximately $8.25 for full admission and $7.08 for reduced admission. Festival accreditation previously ranged from approximately $29.50 to $118, depending on the number of films and included benefits.

Film submissions for the 2026 competition are handled exclusively through FilmFreeway, with the official submission period ending July 31, 2026. Professional participants should also monitor MedMeetings announcements for MedWIPs, MedPitching and other industry opportunities.

Courriel : info@medfilmfestival.org
Téléphone : +39 06 85866170
Bureau du festival : Via delle Alpi, 30, 00198 Rome, Italy

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