China shuts down Beijing independent film festival

Organisers say Chinese authorities have shut down an independent film festival, a rare venue for the showing of independent films that may be critical of the government in a country with tight controls.

Organisers say Chinese authorities have shut down an independent film festival, a rare venue for the showing of independent films that may be critical of the government in a country with tight controls.

Wang Hongwei of Li Xianting Film Fund, which has organised the 11th Beijing Independent Film Festival, said on Saturday that the festival was forced to close on its opening day.

Film critic Li Xianting has posted comments in social media over the last week that state security personnel have been pressuring him to cancel the festival and that he has come under police surveillance. Wang has verified the authenticity of Li's posts but declined to speak further.

Police in Songzhuang, where the event was supposed to open, say they are unaware of it.