FICMEC Festival Highlights Cultural Heritage Through New Documentary Series

The Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (FICMEC) has unveiled the program for its Memoria Mágica (Magic Memory) and Por Vía Oral (By Oral Tradition) sections. Directed by Cirilo Leal, these initiatives aim to bridge the gap between filmmaking and the preservation of the archipelago’s cultural identity. By using documentaries to record legacies that might otherwise be forgotten, the festival positions itself as a stand against misinformation.

The schedule kicks off on May 28 in Garachico with Garachico, cabalgata de mágicas ilusiones (Garachico, Cavalcade of Magical Illusions). Created alongside students from IES Lorenzo Dorta, this film explores the origins of the devotion to the Virgin of the Kings, connecting local heritage to the 1706 volcanic eruption. The documentary highlights how the community keeps its collective memory alive through unique traditions, such as the inclusion of camels in its local cavalcade.

On June 4, the town of Icod de los Vinos will host the screening of Santa Bárbara, alma de la tierra (Santa Bárbara, Soul of the Land). Produced in collaboration with CEIP Enrique González Martín, this documentary looks beyond farming to examine the challenges of generational change and the impact of mass-market distribution on traditional agriculture. It serves as a powerful reminder of why preserving rural practices matters as local crops face abandonment.

Both of these screenings are free, though attendees must collect invitations in advance. For other festival events, tickets are priced at two euros per screening, while Film Brunches cost ten euros. All proceeds will go toward funding an environmental project in El Salvador. Tickets can be booked online at https://tickety.es/grouping-event/festival-internacional-de-cine-medioambiental-de-canarias-FICMEC.