Artificial intelligence usually gets talked about as something invisible.
Clouds. Data. Digital everything.
FICMEC wants to challenge that idea.
The Festival Internacional de Cine Medioambiental de Canarias (FICMEC) has unveiled the poster and theme for its 28th edition, putting the spotlight on the environmental cost behind AI, digital technology and data centres.
FICMEC Returns to Garachico and Icod
The festival will once again take place across two municipalities in Tenerife:
Garachico
📅 28 to 31 May 2026
Icod de los Vinos
📅 4 to 7 June 2026
Bringing environmental cinema, talks and educational activities back to the north of the island.
This Year’s Theme: The Hidden Cost of Digital Life
The official poster was created by artist María Pulido, who based the design around the idea of digital extractivism.
The image uses pixelated landscapes and altered natural colours to explore the relationship between technology and the environment.
Pulido explained that the concept reflects how:
“Hyperconnectivity also translates into a loss of clarity in reality.”
The artwork also hints at lunar landscapes, referencing humanity’s growing push towards exploiting resources beyond Earth.
“The Cloud” Isn’t Invisible
The chosen theme and hashtag for this edition is:
#enlasnubes
A reminder that digital technology is not weightless or intangible.
The festival programme will explore how:
• Artificial intelligence relies on physical infrastructure
• Data centres consume resources and energy
• Digital systems depend on extraction and labour
• Technology also impacts territories and marine environments
The idea is simple enough:
The cloud still sits on something.
Cinema, Debate and Reflection
Through films, workshops and educational activities, FICMEC aims to open discussion around:
• Responsible use of AI
• Environmental impact of technology
• Protecting local knowledge and communities
• Sustainability in the digital age
The full programme will be published through the festival website.
It’s an interesting angle really.
Because most conversations around AI focus on what it can do…
FICMEC wants to ask what it costs.