Beijing’s annual independent queer film festival has been cancelled after what is understood to have been a campaign of sustained harassment from authorities.

Beijing Queer film festival, which was due to begin on Friday in China’s capital, is one of the country’s oldest independent film festivals.

In a statement posted on Instagram late on Thursday, the organisers said: “We regret to inform you that the Love Queer Film Week … has been cancelled. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and disappointment that the cancellation of this event may cause to those who planned to participate or had been looking forward to the film week.”

Police had increased pressure on the festival through repeated phone calls in recent weeks, it is understood.

Founded in 2001 by a group of Peking University students, the festival grew to become the only film festival in mainland China to offer a public forum for films and discussions exploring LGBTQ+ issues.

The Chinese authorities have grown increasingly intolerant of…