The 2026 edition of the +RAIN Film Festival is structured around four themes that frame the debate and guide both the content and activities of the festival. These topics approach artificial intelligence not only as a creative tool, but as a system that transforms the material, cultural and political conditions of audiovisual creation.

Technological sovereignty
This topic focuses on control over the tools, data and infrastructures that make artificial intelligence possible. The discussion addresses issues such as dependence on major technology corporations, access to open models, and the capacity of cultural and creative institutions to develop their own technologies.

It also explores open-source models, data governance and the need to build more transparent, sustainable and locally rooted technological ecosystems that ensure creative autonomy and digital sovereignty.

Workflows
This topic examines how artificial intelligence is integrated into processes of audiovisual creation, production and post-production. Particular attention is paid to the transformation of workflows, which are evolving towards hybrid environments where generative tools, automation and human intervention coexist.

Through case studies and first-hand experiences, new production models are presented that combine language models, image and video generation, voice synthesis and algorithmic sound design. This theme highlights how AI not only accelerates processes but also redefines the role of the author and the dynamics of creation.

Materialisation and infrastructure
This topic focuses on the material conditions that make artificial intelligence possible: hardware, data centres, computing networks and energy resources. Often overlooked, this dimension is key to understanding the real impact of AI in cultural and environmental terms.

The discussion includes issues such as energy consumption, the sustainability of generative systems, the management of technological waste and the geopolitical implications of digital infrastructures. It also reflects on how these material conditions shape creative possibilities and production models.

Sustainability
This topic addresses the ecological, social and cultural impact of artificial intelligence on audiovisual creation processes. Sustainability is approached not only in environmental terms, but also from cultural and economic perspectives.

It reflects on the energy cost of generative models, the responsible use of resources and the need to establish more sustainable creative practices. At the same time, it examines the social implications of AI, such as the concentration of technological power, inequalities in access and impacts on creative communities.

This theme also connects with the idea of building a more balanced cultural ecosystem, where technological innovation is accompanied by ethical, environmental and collective responsibility criteria.