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We are Aybuke and Chimène, journalism students who made Leaving Hotel California during our third year of studies.

Our documentary is now finished, but we need your help to bring it into the world.

We have self-financed this entire project, and we are now left with outstanding production costs. We are still working to fairly compensate the people who contributed to the film, and to cover essential expenses such as archival footage, travel, post-production, and marketing.

Leaving Hotel California reveals a side of Guantánamo Bay that is rarely seen by the public, bringing together voices from opposite sides of the prison’s history. The film centers on the first meeting between former chief investigator Mark Fallon and former detainee Mohamedou Ould Slahi, exploring themes of justice, resilience, and shared humanity. With additional insights from CIA whistleblower John Kiriakou, the documentary challenges viewers to look beyond headlines and reflect on one of the most controversial chapters in recent history.

Together with Mark Fallon, Mohamedou Ould Slahi, and John Kiriakou, we tell a story about justice, accountability, and the lasting consequences of the “War on Terror.”

By supporting us with your donation, you become connected to this unique project, helping to bring it to life and ensuring it reaches the audience it deserves.

Every contribution, big or small, directly helps us complete this film responsibly and ensures that everyone who worked on it is properly paid.

Thank you for supporting independent journalism and for helping this story be seen.

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Donations will be used directly for:

• Production and filming

• Travel expenses

• Archival materials

• Post-production, such as color correction and audio editing

• Supporting contributors involved in the film, including accommodation, logistics, and other necessary expenses

• Film festival submissions

Important to know:

• All creative and editorial decisions remain entirely in the hands of the filmmakers.

• Donors have no influence over the content or direction of the documentary.

• A donation is a gift, not an investment: there is no entitlement to financial return or repayment.

• Our goal is to raise €15,000 to bring this story to life and show it to the world.

Aybuke & Chimène