The 7th annual Stranger Than Fiction documentary film festival takes place at the IFI, Dublin from 25th to 28th September. The festival brings the best of international documentary to Irish audiences, showcases contemporary Irish work, as well as retrospectives of the work of past masters. Stranger Than Fiction is both a public film festival and an industry conference, providing opportunities for Irish producers to meet with commissioning editors from a number of key European broadcasters. It is hoped that the event will prove productive for all parties and increase the access for Irish producers to the European and world markets. Documentary, at its best, offers us a unique window into another world. It can help us understand ourselves, as well as the lives of people and communities around us. Documentary can also give us insights into the lives and thoughts of truly inspirational individuals, such as the films on Patti Smith, Gabriel Byrne, Lee Scratch Perry and Ireland's godfather of documentary, George Morrison (Waiting for the Light). This year's programme sees significant new work from the experienced hands of Alan Gilsenan (I see a Darkness) and Pat Collins (Pilgrim, Gabriel Byrne – Stories from Home), alongside films from up and coming filmmakers such as Tanya Doyle (House) and Nino Tropiano (Chippers). Tickets for screening are available at the IFI website.