[Festival] Hello from the Other Side :)

[IFF Team]

**

*Amazing & Bright Friends:*

*

It’s been a little over a week since IFF. This period is always
emotionally tough for many of us. You go from being surrounded by
hundreds of people you care about, to jumping back into your daily
routine sometimes being physically alone. This year the energy at IFF
was so magnificent, laid back and supportive that saying goodbye was a
tad bit more painful that previous years.

This year also felt like the closing of a chapter, which in itself was
bitter sweet. The IFF is no longer a baby, and that means many, many,
things. Since its birth, it has always been a simple, beautiful dream
fueled by the fire to serve and honor those that give so much. Now,
apparent this instance, it’s transformed itself into a year-long
community ecosystem with its own values and tools that empower people to
tell their stories and create solidarity.


We still have a lot more work to do, and honestly it’s a little
overwhelming. Growing pains are real. However, we are approaching it in
the same way many of you do, taking it step-by-step every day. As a very
wise woman once said, the only thing you can do in life is do your best
- everything else will fall into place. We are doing just that, and your
genuine support and love keeps on going. This year in particular, we
worked incredibly hard to implement the first holistic and well thought
out Code of Conduct process and infrastructure with the leadership of
Val Aurora and Gabriela Rodriguez - two pioneers in this regard. Their
knowledge and experience has had a tremendous impact on making IFF feel
safer than ever. This spirit allowed many groups to have open and
supportive conversations and, most importantly, process some of the
harder challenges our community has faced in recent years.


Proof of this is, is the statement crafted by the Womxn/Gender
Non-Conforming/Trans of Color collective regarding Gender and Racial
Harassment and Oppression. Their words are powerful and worth checking
out: https://pad.riseup.net/p/smashpatriarchy


Its also important to recognize all those individuals who took on all
the emotional labor that a healing space sometimes brings up. We see
you! Your actions has feed our core. It is the humanity that you have
shown that keeps us, as human rights defenders, moving forward. At the
same time, we make this commitment to you: next year we will do
everything in our power to ensure that more healers are present and
available. A huge shout out goes out to those individuals from
communities not well represented in the Internet Freedom community who
came with open arms. YOU brought the soul, or how we say in Spanish,
sabor. Your perspectives and knowledge are beyond valuable. You have
been our inspiration. To those who acted as allies: we see you too.
Thank you for everything you do everyday. Your courage and action are so
needed right now. Thank you, thank you, thank you.


In fact, we are incredibly proud of all of you for the wonderful work
and sharing that took place. Every year we say the same thing: no space
or person is perfect. It is the process of practicing collaboration and
tolerance with each other that brings the beauty and community we are
seeking. You exceeded our expectations.

**

And please continue being radically honest with us. Not only is it a
privilege for us to hear you, but its allows this spark of an idea of to
grow in a way that better supports the people we care about*.*


Moltes Gràcies i Abraçades!


Sandy & Pepe*