Independent film festival in New York cancelled after China puts pressure on directors

The IndieChina film festival in New York City was cancelled after directors withdrew their films due to harassment from the Government of China, raising serious concerns about artistic freedom.

• The Independent film festival, scheduled to start this weekend in New York City, was cancelled after multiple filmmakers opted out amid pressure from the Government of China.
• Directors cited harassment and intimidation from the Government of China as the primary reason for their withdrawal from the festival, which aimed to showcase documentary film and independent works.
• Human Rights Watch expressed concerns over the increasing influence of China in the arts, highlighting the implications of such censorship on global independent film communities.