Iranian filmmaker, Mohammad Rasoulof, has been ordered to serve a one-year prison sentence on the charge of “propaganda against the system."

ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: WHAT DROVE VIOLATIONS The following section of the Art under Threat in 2016 report explores the issues and tendencies that drove governments and other groups to limit artistic expression. TABLE OF CONTENTS * Click on the following titles to be taken to that part of …

Governor of Mecca Prince Khaled bin Faisal ordered authorities to arrest a female rapper, Asayel Slay for releasing the rap song Mecca Girl.

ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: EGYPT SERIOUS VIOLATIONS: 18 ACTS OF CENSORSHIP: 19 State censorship of the arts in the name of “protecting public morals and state interests” continues to stifle artistic freedom of expression in Egypt. Restrictions on art and literary works that address politics, sex and religion, remain …

After his arrest, Algerian poet Mohamed Tadjadit was sentenced on 19 December 2019 to 18 months in prison for “undermining the national unity.”

ART UNDER THREAT IN 2016: IRAN SERIOUS VIOLATIONS: 30 ACTS OF CENSORSHIP: 9 Iran continues to intimidate, persecute, imprison and ban artists, cultural producers and publishers, bringing it up from the second country with the most serious violations in 2015 to first in 2016. In 2016, Freemuse registered 30 serious …

Three theatre performers were stabbed on stage during a live show in Riyadh, the capital of Saudi Arabia.

Freemuse is pleased to hear about the release of Moroccan street theatre artist Younes Benkhdim.

  In a country where public performances by women are forbidden, the internationally acclaimed Iranian vocalist Mahsa Vahdat struggles to make her voice heard. She is an optimist, and remains hopeful that one day things will change. Directed by Kiarash AnvariLanguage: English and Persian. English subtitles. 16 minutes Iran. 2013 …

  Documentary about a group of hip hop artists sharing a dream: To organise a professional concert. Unfortunately resistance is strong in their society and resources scare. With the help of an American filmmaker, they raised funding and created the first Hip Hop festival in Morocco. Co-Directed by Jennifer Needleman …