Tenerife’s Ficmec Festival Highlights Climate Crisis Through International Cinema
The Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (Ficmec) is hosting a diverse program of global documentaries and community workshops in Tenerife to promote environmental awareness and support conservation efforts in El Salvador.
Tenerife is once again proving itself to be a hub for environmental awareness through the power of film. Organizers of the Canary Islands International Environmental Film Festival (Ficmec), which is supported by the Island Council, say the event continues to bridge the gap between scientific research and artistic storytelling to highlight the climate crisis.
The festival’s centerpiece is the documentary short film section, held on June 4 at Drago Park in Icod de los Vinos. This year’s program is truly international, featuring films from Switzerland, Belgium, India, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, the United Kingdom, and Georgia. Highlights include the national premieres of Amma, do giraffes cry? and What does the mud whisper?, alongside the archipelago premieres of Air horse one and Common pear. These films cover a wide range of topics, from biodiversity and the future of farming to the complexities of animal transport.
The festival also has a strong social mission. All proceeds from ticket sales—two euros per session and ten euros for "Film Brunches"—will be donated to an environmental conservation project in El Salvador. Tickets are available through Tickety.es.
Blanca Pérez Delgado, the Island Council’s Councilor for Natural Environment, Sustainability, Security, and Emergencies, praised the festival for promoting responsible development and protecting the local landscape. She also noted the successful collaboration between the municipalities of Garachico and Icod de los Vinos, and the festival’s success in getting younger generations involved in sustainability discussions.
In addition to the screenings, Ficmec is hosting a variety of free activities. Attendees can register on the official website for events like the EcoRueda filmmaking competition, workshops on future-focused storytelling, and informative sessions such as "Playing in Green," "Photosynthesis," and "Vulcanalia." By offering these programs, the festival aims to move beyond just showing films and create a space for the community to engage with today’s environmental challenges.