China accused of shutting down film festival in New York

Human Rights Watch said Chinese authorities forced the suspension of the inaugural IndieChina Film Festival in New York after harassing dozens of filmmakers and their families in China. Organizer Zhu Rikun announced the cancellation on November 6, 2025, following widespread intimidation that led most directors to withdraw their films. HRW’s Yalkun Uluyol said the incident showed Beijing’s efforts to “control what the world sees and learns about China.” Independent film festivals in China have faced similar crackdowns, with major events like the Beijing Independent Film Festival shut down since 2018 under tightening ideological control.