FICMEC Concludes 28th Edition With Focus on Environmental Cinema

The 28th Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (FICMEC) has wrapped up its latest run of screenings and workshops in the Tenerife towns of Garachico and Icod de los Vinos. According to organizers, this year’s winners were chosen by a jury including Gracia Querejeta, Martha Orozco, and Mónica López for their focus on the delicate relationship between humanity and the natural world.

The top prize for best documentary feature went to Sara Dosa’s Time and Water, which explores the connection between a family’s life and the changing state of a glacier. In the fiction category, Dj Ahmed by Georgi M. Unkovski took home the top award; it was also a hit with the public, winning the Telesforo Bravo Audience Award.

Other notable films were recognized for their unique perspectives: Al oeste, en Zapata by David Bim received a special mention for its portrayal of life in Cuba, while Hasta la montaña by Sophie Deraspe was honored for its story about finding personal integrity through nature.

The festival also featured specialized juries for short films. The Brote Award for best animation went to Bats and Bugs by Lena von Döhren for its technical skill and storytelling. Additionally, a youth jury made up of students from CIF César Manrique and IES Felo Monzón chose the documentary Amma, Do Giraffes Cry? by Kartikeya Saxena, praising its critical look at the use of animals in entertainment.

Events like FICMEC are vital to Spain’s cultural landscape. Now in its 28th year, the festival continues to prove that cinema is a powerful tool for sparking debate on the climate crisis, sustainability, and our ethical responsibility toward the environment.