New York Independent Film Festival Cancelled Following Chinese Pressure
An independent film festival scheduled to take place in New York has been abruptly cancelled after several film-makers withdrew their work amid pressure from Chinese authorities. The incident has raised significant concerns about transnational repression and artistic freedom.
The inaugural IndieChina film festival was set to run from 8th to 15th November, but curator Zhu Rikun announced on 5th November that he had been forced to cancel 80% of planned screenings due to film-makers pulling out.
Directors Face Pressure from Chinese Authorities
According to Zhu, directors based within China cited "personal reasons" for withdrawing their films, while those living outside the country reported that their families back home had been contacted by Chinese authorities. This method of applying pressure to individuals beyond China's borders has become increasingly common.
Zhu, who is based in New York, revealed that a colleague at his Beijing studio had been taken away for questioning and instructed not to work with him. The festival also faced additional challenges when one venue received an anonymous letter claiming to be from Chinese students in New York demanding the cancellation of screenings.
"Given the current circumstances, if I do not suspend this edition of the film festival, anyone involved in the festival – whether directors, forum participants, associated staff, volunteers, or even audience members – could potentially face threats or harassment," Zhu stated.
Pattern of Transnational Repression
Yalkun Uluyol, a China researcher at Human Rights Watch, condemned the situation, stating: "The Chinese government reached around the globe to shut down a film festival in New York City. This latest act of transnational repression demonstrates the Chinese government's aim to control what the world sees and learns about China."
This incident follows a broader pattern of China cracking down on cultural activities outside Communist party control. In 2014, China's most prominent independent film festival was shut down and the curator's archive seized by authorities.
More recently, in January, documentary film-maker Chen Pinlin was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in prison after releasing a film about the 2022 "white paper" protests.
The cancellation highlights growing concerns about China's increasing transnational repression efforts, particularly targeting artistic expression. Similar incidents have occurred globally, including in August when a Bangkok art gallery complied with Chinese embassy requests to censor exhibition content referencing Tibet, Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
The Chinese embassy in Washington has been approached for comment regarding these allegations.
