Canary Islands’ Ficmec Film Festival to Focus on Food Sovereignty and Digital Sustainability

The 28th Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (Ficmec) has unveiled the core themes for this year’s event, reinforcing its role as a leading forum for sustainable production and consumption. The festival will focus on two main areas: promoting food sovereignty and examining the environmental impact of new technologies.

Supported by the Canary Institute of Agrifood Quality (ICCA), the festival’s agroecological fair will take place in two stages: May 30–31 in Garachico, and June 6–7 in Icod de los Vinos. Organizers are currently accepting registrations from exhibitors who prioritize ethical supply chains. Margarita Hernández of the ICCA noted that the partnership aims to use the fair as an educational tool to encourage healthy, environmentally friendly consumption habits.

Meanwhile, the festival will host the 12th edition of "Playing Green" (Jugando en Verde), which explores the link between digital entertainment and environmental ethics. This year’s program focuses on artificial intelligence and the ecological footprint of the digital world. Coordinated by Eurídice Cabañes, the event will feature experts such as Maica Amador Marrero, who will discuss sustainable tech development; Alberto Oliván Tenorio, who will address "digital waste"; and Yurena Escobar, who will share how gamification—including projects on the Roblox platform—can help people connect with their natural heritage.

The festival runs from May 28 to June 7, with events split between Garachico and Icod de los Vinos. Free registration for the video game sessions is now open on the festival’s website. By moving beyond film screenings to become a laboratory for climate action, Ficmec continues to align with European circular economy goals, positioning the Canary Islands as a center for debate on how to balance technological progress with the preservation of natural resources.