36 h. ago Independent film festival in New York cancelled after China puts pressure on directors

Directors ask for their films not to be shown at IndieChina festival, which was due to launch this weekendAn independent film festival due to start in New York this weekend has been cancelled after several film-makers pulled out due to harassment from the Chinese authorities, raising concerns about transnational repression.The inaugural IndieChina film festival was planned to take place between 8 and 15 November. But on 5 November, the festival’s curator, Zhu Rikun, posted on Facebook that he had been forced to cancel 80% of the planned screenings because film-makers had pulled out. Continue reading...

Events

46 h. ago The big problem with Meghan Markle’s acting comeback – and it’s not Harry or the Royals

After her Netflix series flopped, rumour has it that the Duchess of Sussex will make her return to cinema screens – by playing herself. Lydia Spencer-Elliot reports

Politics

5 d. ago British Independent Film Awards 2025 nominations revealed: Surprise drama leads the way with 12 nods

The eagerly-anticipated nominations for the British Independent Film Awards 2025 have been announced with a surprise drama earning the most nods.

Events

5 d. ago Madrid will give Woody Allen £1.3m for his next film – but only if it bears city’s name

Agreement requires film to be shot entirely within the Community of Madrid

Economics

1 week ago Colin Farrell on Ballad of a Small Player – and one film that didn’t get the credit it deserved

Ballad of a Small Player sees Colin Farrell take on one of his most physical roles yet – a high-stakes gambler haunted by his past as his debts close in. We sit down with Farrell and director Edward Berger (Conclave, All Quiet on the Western Front) to explore how they captured the film’s sensory chaos, and how a story takes on a life of its own once it’s out in the world.

Sport

2 w. ago ‘Ukraine’s future is our future’, says Starmer, as he vows coalition will take Russian oil and gas off market to choke funding – Europe live

Zelenskyy, Starmer and members of ‘coalition of willing’ give press conferenceA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Society

2 w. ago Zelenskyy says Putin pushing Ukraine towards ‘humanitarian disaster’ as he meets Starmer and European leaders – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy warns of human cost of attacks on energy infrastructureA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy at Downing Street for talks with Starmer and ‘coalition of willing’ after meeting King Charles – Europe live

Volodymyr Zelenskyy set to press case for using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Zelenskyy meets King Charles before discussion with Starmer and ‘coalition of the willing’ over military support – Europe live

King Charles hosts Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Windsor Castle before meeting to consider using frozen Russian assets to fund Ukraine’s defencesA forthcoming trip by German foreign minister, Johann Wadephul, to China has been cancelled amid growing fears that Beijing’s restriction on semiconductor and rare earth exports could paralyse the country’s car industry.“We are postponing the journey to a later time,” the spokesperson told a regular press briefing on Friday. “The Chinese side was ultimately able to confirm only the appointment with the Chinese foreign minister, and could not confirm any other additional appointments,” a foreign ministry spokesperson said. Continue reading...

Events

3 w. ago Jewish film festival postponed after cinemas ‘refuse to host events’

Some venues were worried something might happen to endanger their staff, organisers say

Culture

3 w. ago Christy director says film ‘important story about women living in coercive relationships’

Director David Michôd has called his latest film Christy an “important story for women in coercive relationships.”

Politics

3 w. ago Witness statement for China spy case was 'just 5 per cent short of being enough', CPS head claims

Pressure was building last night on the Director of Public Prosecutions to explain why the China spy case was dropped even though there was bombshell evidence against the accused.

Politics

3 w. ago Why Bruce Springsteen finally said yes to letting Hollywood tell his story

Bruce Springsteen has revealed why he permitted the story of how he recorded Nebraska to be played out on the silver screen in a new film starring Jeremy Allen White as the legendary musician in Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere.

Sport

3 w. ago Josh O’Connor on navigating his role as an art thief in The Mastermind

“There's lots of things I didn't like about James. But you can't see it like that when you're playing a character,” Josh O’Connor told The Independent at the UK premiere of The Mastermind.

Politics

3 w. ago ‘After The Hunt’ writer who trained AI for Meta slams its use in film

The writer behind the newly released film After The Hunt says she is “staunchly against” the use of AI.

Politics

4 w. ago George Clooney: ‘I thought they’d do some AI version of my career’

Jay Kelly star George Clooney revealed a surprising detail he didn’t expect would be in his new film — that his past projects would be played out in front of him as part of a sizzle reel in the movie.

Politics

4 w. ago Is This Thing On? review – Bradley Cooper’s comedy of comedians is a charmer

New York film festival: The actor’s third film as director is a gentle romcom of divorce and standup comedy with standout turns from Will Arnett and Laura DernHere’s a joke: a man walks into a bar and, to avoid paying a $15 cover, signs up for an open mic night. He’s in the midst of a divorce and a little high, a walking, middle-aged black rain cloud. He’s never done stand-up before. The punchline? He’s actually kinda good at it – rough around the edges, unpracticed, a little stiff but, under the glare of the spotlight, able to spin some of his pain into self-deprecating jokes and unforced laughs.It helps immensely that this man is played by Will Arnett, the gravelly voiced comedian and former BoJack Horseman who excels at masculine sad-sacks with self-flagellating charm. Like Arnett the celebrity podcast host, Arnett’s Alex is self-deprecating, subtle, effortlessly if dryly funny – in other words, easy to root for, even in the very midlife crisis pursuit of stand-up comedy. That’s ...

Culture

4 w. ago Meghan takes to stage again after being named Humanitarian of the Year

Prince Harry and his wife Meghan have taken to the stage again at a World Mental Health Day festival in New York, hours after being named as Humanitarians of the Year.

Politics