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The World is my home | Humanity is my family

Welcome to the 9th International Exile Film Festival

23-29 October 2009 Gothenburg Sweden

Welcome to the 9^th Exile Film Festival, a magical selected forum that emerges passes away and dissolves as a world; a world seeking justice and freedom, wishing delight for everyone. Follow the Exile Film Festival with its almost ninety odd and unique films. Come from East or West and experience your inner anxiety for the reality we live in; yes to no.

Coming to this starting point was not an easy task for the Exile Film Festival. We are loaded with a great economical uncertainty, which obviously affects the planning of the festival. We have had to adapt our work plan and the programs to ever changing conditions. Despite sixteen years of hard work we have to start from the beginning, from the bottom, every time we organize the festival; like Sisyphus who starts every day climbing down the hill to carry the stones up to the top.

But now we are at the top. Now we can present a broad and rich program, which of course is delighting. We will share this joy with those who have been standing by our side and have given us their support in the realization of the 9^th Exile Film Festival. We will also share this joy with our loyal audience who come from different parts of the world and during seven days gather to a common experience of film.

Finally we will dedicate this year’s festival to the remembrance of thousands of free thoughts all over the world; to those who have fought for and continue to insist on democracy, justice and equality; to those who have sacrificed themselves and still do for their beliefs. Right now we think especially of the Iranians who with their constant peaceful demonstrations are fighting for removing the theocratic ruling power in Iran. We would like to pay tribute to the known and unknown Iranians who keep the fight alive.

Hossein Mahini
Festival Director