Whoever has ears… let them hear!
On the day we inaugurate the 32nd edition of SUNCINE (from October 30 to November 23), it will be one year since the tragic DANA that struck the Valencian region, taking so many human and animal lives, in addition to the enormous material losses that —still today— await a response from the Governments. The mountains and villages of Extremadura, Castilla y León and Galicia (among others) still carry the scent of the ashes left by the voracity of an unprecedented fire.
As I write these lines, another DANA is approaching the Mediterranean, and since this seems to have become routine, from this year onwards, storms will be given names, just like the devastating hurricanes.
The year 2025 has recorded the highest temperatures and the greatest number of consecutive tropical nights in history. The language of the streets, of newscasts, and even of some politicians is beginning to absorb expressions such as climate shelters, alerts, or environmental emergency.
Beaches are retreating before a sea that has broken all historical temperature records, reaching over 30 degrees —when many species die at lower temperatures. And I ask myself: do we still need to hold this festival to prove what is already evident? What else has to happen?
The victims of climate change are not counted only among the storms, DANAs, or wildfires. They are also found in the pollution of major cities and in the human migrations fleeing hunger and desertification in Africa and Asia. Is that not enough? Must we continue to accumulate more and more deaths until the next headline buries this tragedy in media oblivion?
Our political class seems lost, trapped in a loop of confrontational speeches —sometimes denialist, and lately, fueled by hate. We live, sadly, in a time of growing barbarity and ignorance, where talk show hosts shout baseless theories with no scientific foundation to justify the unjustifiable. Some seek political gain, others economic benefit, but the result is always the same: serious debate fades away, as do proposals for real solutions, and any strategic vision for a future that no longer waits —a future that grows more tragic each year, breaking records always against the survival of life.
These days, the Government is calling for a National Climate Pact. Yet I find two essential actors missing —the very pillars of any real transformation: those of us who work in Culture and Education. We are the great absentees from this dialogue and from the active participation in that pact or agreement some political forces are trying to reach. The intentions may be good, but there are many voices that have much to say about how to face, as a society, the enormous challenges ahead. I hold hope that, in matters as crucial as this, civil society and the third sector will also have the chance to be heard and play an active role in shaping solutions.
For over three decades, SUNCINE has served as a mirror, reflecting what scientists and professionals around the world have long been warning us about. Filmmakers from every continent show us, through the art of cinema, the degradation of the planet, the bleeding of species, the accelerated melting of ice, the warming and pollution of the seas, and the human migrations caused by the lack of resources. This is not fake news —it is a fact. A reality that strikes us day after day, faced with governmental passivity and the repeated failures of Climate Summits.
We are walking on the edge —a breath away from irreversible damage— and while some feed hatred and division, humanity cries out for help.
Years ago, we produced a campaign with actress Daphne Zúñiga. The message was clear: “There’s still time.” Today, years later, we must admit that time is running out. It’s time to act and to leave behind the endless debates that only serve to postpone the moment of making bold and courageous decisions.
Nature, always Nature —our wise Teacher— sends us a message every day.
Whoever has ears… let them hear!
(This festival is dedicated to our beloved and admired Madrina, Jane Goodall, an example of dignity, courage, and coherence. An unbreakable woman, brave and inspiring for generations. This one’s for you, my dear Jane!)
