Authorities Shut Down Film Festival in New York
14 days ago
- #transnational repression
- #independent film
- #censorship
- Chinese authorities pressured filmmakers, leading to the suspension of the IndieChina Film Festival in New York.
- Human Rights Watch reports transnational repression by China to control narratives about the country globally.
- Independent film festivals in China have been systematically shut down over the past decade.
- Filmmakers in China face intimidation, prosecution, and imprisonment under tightened ideological controls.
- Recent cases include the sentencing of filmmakers for documentaries critical of the government.
- Hong Kong has banned films on 'national security' grounds, extending censorship beyond mainland China.
- Chinese officials have also interfered with art exhibitions abroad, targeting works by minority groups.
- Calls for international governments and art venues to counteract China's suppression of free expression.