Beijing Queer Film Festival Pulled Off Without Government Intervention For The First Time

The Beijing Queer Film Festival has had a troubled history, but the sixth festival has reportedly gone off smoothly for the first time in its history, with 28 films from five countries shown.

As reported by Gay Star News, the ‘first festival in 2001 was shut down by government officials, the second edition was forced to move from Peking University to the 798 art district and the authorities forced organizers to cancel the fifth festival in 2011.’

However this time they put in place ways to prevent government intervention, such as only announcing venues at the last minute, as well as using places such as the French and Dutch Embassies and the American Center, which the Chinese authorities have less control over. There was also little publicity, with events billed as separate film screenings rather than a festival.

Indeed, it wasn’t until after the festival had ended that it was officially revealed that there had been a festival at all! It ran from June 19th to 23rd.

‘Through word-of-mouth, the festival gathered a full house at nearly all of its screenings, and only the occasional attendee was surprised to notice that the Beijing Queer Film Festival was behind the different queer film activities,’ said a statement from the festival organisers.

As well as the screenings, a scholarship program, started in 2011, awarded funding for 25 people from less-developed parts of China to attend. ‘They gladly embraced the opportunity to watch and discuss queer-themed films, an unknown luxury in their respective hometowns,’ said the organisers.

At the end of the event, the chairs for the next Festival in 2015 were announced as Queer Comrades Wei Xiaogang and Stijn Deklerck.

‘A lot can change within two years,’ said Wei. ‘The only thing that’s certain is that we need to continue to fight to obtain greater freedom of expression.’

While homosexuality is becoming more accepted in China, it still faces a lot of challenges and oppression. While gay conduct isn’t illegal in the country, the authorities still view it as suspicion, especially when gay people want to gather, as they fear it could lead to organised dissent.