Ficmec to Host World Premiere of Teno Alto Documentary 'Roque Largo'

The Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (Ficmec) in Garachico is hosting the world premiere of Roque Largo this weekend. Directed by Luz Sosa and Miguel Ángel Rolland, this documentary short explores the cultural and demographic shifts in Teno Alto. The film follows the daily life of Urbano, a local shepherd, to highlight the story of a community that has seen its population drop from 300 to fewer than 40 residents over the last 40 years.

More than just a film, Roque Largo is a tribute to rural traditions. The project is the result of five years of research that began with the multidisciplinary La Isla de Más Allá initiative. Eschewing fast-paced storytelling, the directors adopt a slower, more deliberate tempo to capture the quiet vitality of a community that is fading away.

The film focuses on the relationship between the shepherd and his environment, using his daily routine as a metaphor for the survival of traditional knowledge. The filmmakers aimed to move beyond simple landscape shots, instead capturing the silence and introspection of the goatherd’s life to reveal the human heart of Teno Alto.

The premiere, which takes place on May 30th to coincide with Canary Islands Day, will be attended by Urbano himself. This short film also serves as a precursor to Baladero, a feature-length documentary currently in production that aims to preserve the collective memory of the region. Following the festival, Roque Largo will be screened elsewhere to spark conversation about the challenges facing rural life and the urgent need to protect its disappearing legacy.