The Indie Film Fest That Has China Worried, Now in NYC

Independent film producer Karin Chien says she's been watching Chinese officials rough up indie filmmakers at the Beijing Independent Film Festival since 2011. So when officials shut it down altogether last year, she and co-organizers Shelly Kraicer and J.P. Sniadecki decided it was time to bring some of those films back home to New York City.

The New York recreation of the Beijing fest is called "Cinema on the Edge" and runs through September 13 at seven venues throughout the city. Chien says she wanted to raise awareness of the repression in China and at the same time, showcase the artistic work of independent filmmakers in that country, many of whom consider themselves apolitical. Through a Kickstarter campaign, Chien and her colleagues brought some of the filmmakers to the U.S., many of whom have never been to visit before.

WNYC's Soterios Johnson talks to Chien about the New York film series and the challenges festival organizers in China are facing as they plan this year's event.

Karin Chien (left), Shelly Kraicier (to her right), and his partner Lisa meet with Director Xu Tong of "Cut Out the Eyes" (right) at Trainspotting Cafe in Beijing, where screenings were shut down by authorities.

(Courtesy of Xu Tong)