*As you might have heard, the Beijing Independent Film Festival was banned last week. This has happened many times in the past, but never with the ferocity organizers met this year. Key people were detained, electricity cut off, alternative venues threatened, and thugs cordoned off the main offices. * *Short of organizing a film series, one way to show your support for BIFF is to join their very creative closing ceremony. Here is a translation of a Japanese translation of their Chinese language announcement. * *Visit their page to see all the photos of participants. * *https://www.facebook.com/events/1483085938613206/ <https://www.facebook.com/events/1483085938613206/>* *Markus* ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ You can also participate in the (Eyes) Closing Ceremony* of the Beijing Independent Film Festival in Songzhuang. ( * In the announcement, the original Chinese for "closing ceremony" replaces one character [curtain] with the homophone "eye".) August 31 was the original date for the closing ceremony. The festival could not be held, but won't you participate in an Internet ceremony in its place? Everyone is welcome. How to participate: After 4:00 on August 31, take a self-portrait with both eyes closed and upload it to the social media of your choice. Choose your own background. And put "(Eyes) Closing Ceremony of the 11th Annual Beijing Independent Film Festival." -- *Markus Nornes* Chair, Department of Screen Arts and Cultures Professor of Asian Cinema, Department of Asian Languages and Cultures Professor, School of Art & Design *Department of Screen Arts and Cultures* *6348 North Quad* *105 S. State Street* *Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1285* ---- To sign off Screen-L, e-mail [log in to unmask] and put SIGNOFF Screen-L in the message. Problems? Contact [log in to unmask]