Queer film festival confab in Berlin focuses on Asian censorship

The declining presence of gay Asian cinema was one of the most relevant topics of debate Wednesday at the Teddy Foundation's 17th annual State of International Queer Film Festivals discussion held in Berlin, according to Indiewire.com. More than 75 film festival organizers and programmers discussed the nearly insurmountable circumstances in creating such festivals in Asian countries like China, Indonesia, and Taipei. Participants told of oppressive governments that censor movies with gay content, festivals shut down for being considered subversive, and death threats received from Islamic fundamentalists. Organizers of the discussion also planned to give out awards on Friday for the best in international queer cinema.