Inhabiting the mind, this year’s theme of the Brain Film Fest

Inhabiting the mind

To what extent does the environment we inhabit shape who we are?
How can we improve the relationship between our brain/consciousness and the environment that surrounds it?
What are the main technological, social, and environmental changes impacting our mental health?

We can interpret the brain as the map of a city, with its streets, transport systems, and spaces designed for specific activities. A complex and rich system in which every part has a function, and where mobility and interconnection make it possible for everything to work in an almost miraculous way.

In 2026, Barcelona will be the World Capital of Architecture, an event focused on promoting the values and transformative power of architecture, urbanism, and landscape design. The international UIA 2026 Congress will also take place, highlighting the values of architecture and urban planning as key factors in quality of life, well-being, and a sense of social and cultural belonging. As a festival dedicated to sharing knowledge and exploring transformations related to the brain, we are closely aligned with some of the goals of this event and seek to actively stimulate debate.

For this reason, we want the conceptual and film proposal of Brain Film Fest 2026 to be linked to this highly topical theme. As numerous artistic proposals illuminate and significant scientific advances demonstrate, the environments humans inhabit affect us beyond our own conscious awareness. We are particularly interested in:

• Enriching reflection and debate on the impact of architecture, urban planning, and landscape design on citizens’ quality of life and mental health.
  
• Strengthening the essential bond between the built environment and the natural environment and their inhabitants, fostering equity and inclusion.
  
• Promoting the social and cultural values of art and of the environments we inhabit.

“Changes in the environment change the brain and therefore modify our behavior.”
— Fred Gage, neuroscientist, Salk Institute

Cristina Maragall