Hong Kong Indie Book Fair Faces Censorship Amid Exhibitor Exclusions
Organizers demand transparency after authorities bar five exhibitors citing vague force majeure clauses.
1Exhibitors barred from fair
The Duk6 Duk6 independent book fair, scheduled for November 14 and 15 at The Mills, faces sudden disruption. Organizers reported that five exhibitors were disqualified from the event due to force majeure claims. This independent narrative festival, featuring 125 creators, promotes self-published works including comics, novels, zines, animation, and various games.
2Vague regulatory justifications
The non-profit collective Yun Hyun stated that relevant authorities cited force majeure issues during the licensing process for the exclusions. Organizers were not informed which government departments initiated the action. This legal clause, typically reserved for uncontrollable events, is increasingly viewed by local creators as a mechanism for covert political pressure.
3Ultimatum from licensing authorities
An anonymous curator revealed that the Food and Environmental Hygiene Department required a Temporary Places of Public Entertainment Licence. During the vetting process, officials allegedly issued an ultimatum: remove the five specific exhibitors or face the cancellation of the entire event. No official explanation was provided for the demand to exclude these creators.
4Impact on creative community
The disqualified exhibitors include writers and illustrators whose works span local culture and science fiction. These vendors spent months preparing new material for the debut, making the sudden exclusion a significant professional blow. Organizers now face the difficult task of vetting replacements while attempting to preserve the event’s carefully planned layout.
5Pattern of recurring censorship
This incident follows similar roadblocks encountered during the previous edition of the book fair held in early 2025. The curator noted that venue management had previously censored specific exhibitors, suggesting a systemic trend. Organizers expressed frustration, stating they are unsure where the line is drawn regarding acceptable content for public display.
6Call for transparent mechanisms
Yun Hyun has publicly urged government departments to establish a more open and transparent mechanism for event licensing. They argue that clarity is essential for creators and organizers to cooperate effectively with authorities. Without defined standards, the group fears that even harmless creative works remain vulnerable to arbitrary disqualification by officials.
7Economic and creative challenges
The local creative sector is currently navigating a difficult economic environment compounded by the rise of AI-generated content. Organizers meticulously hand-picked the 125 exhibitors to ensure high-quality, original human-made work. These sudden regulatory hurdles further strain the limited resources of independent creators who are already struggling to maintain their artistic visibility.
8Uncertainty for future events
The situation highlights the growing tension between independent cultural organizers and regulatory bodies in Hong Kong. As organizers attempt to navigate these opaque requirements, the future of similar independent events remains precarious. The inability to predict which works might trigger a force majeure claim continues to stifle the local independent publishing scene.