This N That: Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

© South China Morning Post

By Emilie Murphy and Daneal Rozman

Chinese Film Festival Shuts Down due to Censorship: 

The Chinese Independent Film Festival (CIFF), considered the last true independent festival in the country, decided to shut down over the weekend. Established in 2003, the festival has been known to show films that focus on controversial subjects -- homosexuality, religion, politics -- and has often evaded government censorship approval for its screenings. The festival released a statement on its social media account explaining its decision to close down, condemning the government’s interference and raising concerns over independence. “We believe that given the current local organizational circumstances, it has already become impossible to organize a film festival that truly has a purely independent spirit and is also effective,” the statement read. CIFF is one of many festivals that have been shut down over the years, including the Beijing Independent Film Festival, which closed in 2012. Tensions are mounting over government interference in China and many believe that censorship of the media has grown more intense. For those fighting for artistic freedom in China, the latest news from CIFF is a major setback. 

© Canon

CES 2020

Last Friday CES 2020 wrapped up in Las Vegas. This year’s convention held promising and awe-inspiring innovations to technologies across the board. Among the newly designed laptops, phones, smart watches, cars, and headphones were numerous camera and video innovations. From a Sony-built car to a 360 degree camera developed in part by Leica, this year’s CES excited photographers alike.

The conventions largest camera announcement came in the form of two high powered DSLR’s, one from Canon and one Nikon. Nikon showcased the D780, a follow up to their ever-popular D750, which boasted specs like 4K video recording, touch screen and an updated autofocus feature. Canon’s newest offering, the 1DX Mark III, is a professional grade sports camera with a price tag of £6,500 ($8,490). Both cameras were built to modernize the DSLR to hybridize mirrorless cameras and DSLR’s as mirrorless models have dominated the markets since their inception. Drones also made a splash, with news of 8K footage on a collapsible model, known as the Autel Evo II, and the PowerEgg X drone which can land on water. 

Photo by Claire Voon for Hyperallergic

New York Center for Art Law Opens New Clinic: 

At the end of January, a Visual Artists Immigration Clinic will open at the New York Center for Art Law. As stated on the Center’s website, the clinic “is designed for emerging visual artists who are working towards obtaining a visa in the United States.” The clinic will offer one-on-one consultations for visual artists looking to obtain an O-1 visa, work permits granted for a finite period of time. Each consultation will cost $10 per person and help artists connect with capable attorneys in the field of immigration. The complicated and bureaucratic process of obtaining an artists visa became even more difficult after new regulations were imposed by the Trump administration in 2018. After noticing an increased need for these services after the regulations were put in place, the center decided to launch this new initiative. 

For more information on the clinic, check out the center’s website or the online invitation. Upcoming sessions are scheduled for January 30, 2020 and March 24, 2020. 

© Business Of Fashion

Milan Men’s Fashion Week Kicks Off

Men’s fashion week in Milan kicked off last Friday with presentations from C.P. Company and Dsquared2 who celebrated their 25thanniversary. The weekend came packed with numerous shows from the likes of Jimmy Choo, Alexander McQueen and Marni, to name just a few. Prada, one of the largest names to present during this year’s Milan Men’s Fashion Week (MMFW), showcased on Sunday. With a theme rooted in workwear, all evidence pointed towards a collection meant for the every-day person who does “their job with care, with intelligence, with culture,” Miuccia Prada said. With showcases of Autumn and Winter collections, it’s a surprising twist to see a sense of joyful liberation of the exposed body as a primary theme during MMFW. In the closing two days of MMFW, big names like Fendi, Giorgio Armani and A Cold Wall are set to present, with Gucci scheduled as the final show of the exciting five days of fashion.

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