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Why international filmmakers are skipping Boston's International Film Festival this year
Editor's Note: This is an excerpt from WBUR's daily morning newsletter, WBUR Today. If you like what you read and want it in your inbox, sign up here.
President Trump has put a 90-day pause on (most of) his massive tariff hikes, so you can check your 401k with a little less dread today. Asian markets are keeping the rally going this morning. We have more below on the mixed reactions from Massachusetts leaders on Trump's latest (but perhaps most significant) tariff course-reversal.
But first, a look at what's ahead today:
Film fest sans filmmakers: The 23rd annual Boston International Film Festival kicks off tonight at the New England Aquarium — but there won't be any international filmmakers. WBUR's Amy Sokolow reports not a single filmmaker is coming from overseas this year, and organizers say it's a reaction to Trump.
- How it usually works: The six-day festival typically features upwards of 60 screenings at local theaters of movies from countries around the world. And those films' filmmakers usually get travel visas to attend.
- What's happening this year: Film festival executive director Patrick Jerome told Amy that "nobody" got a visa this year, a change he attributed to increasingly tense international relations since Trump took office. Jerome said "a lot of people are scared to come" due to Trump's tightened immigration policies — or don't feel it's worth it to go through the visa process. Meanwhile, others are staying home to take a political stand, he added. Some filmmakers have even pulled their movies from the festival. "We had movies from Canada — we couldn't even play them, because the filmmakers were like, 'No, we're not coming to the U.S.,' " Jerome said.
- What does that mean for this festival? The lineup has been pared down to roughly three dozen films. Jerome is encouraging local Boston residents to attend the festival as a "show of support" for filmmakers and the industry. "We are happy that we are fulfilling our mission from our part, but we definitely need the support from the audience," he said.
Line in the sand: Massachusetts' top federal prosecutor is making clear that any so-called "safe injection sites" in the state will face opposition from the Trump administration. In a statement yesterday, U.S. Attorney Leah Foley rejected a local newspaper editorial's suggestion that the feds turn a "blind eye" to the sites, which allow people struggling with addiction to use illegal drugs under medical supervision. "I guarantee that such a time will never come during this Administration," Foley said, adding that the sites are "categorically illegal and do nothing to help people overcome their addictions." (Supporters point to research showing the sites may help reduce overdose deaths.)
- The latest: The statement comes as Somerville and Worcester inch toward opening supervised consumption sites. It also puts Foley at odds with Gov. Maura Healey's administration, which has endorsed the centers.
Heads up: Phase two of the monthlong Red Line diversion begins today, so get familiar with "shuttle trains" if you use the line's Ashmont branch. That's when the MBTA runs trains back and forth along a stretch of track, rather than cycling them through the entire subway system. (This illustration helps, if you need a visual.)
- What to expect: Wait times will be longer than normal service — about 13 minutes at Ashmont, Savin Hill and JFK/UMass stations, and at least 25 minutes between trains at Shawmut and Fields Corner. But according to T officials, it beats sitting in a shuttle that's stuck in Dorchester Avenue traffic.
Homecoming: Dorchester native and Emmy-winning actress Ayo Edebiri is back in town today. She'll be visiting her alma mater, Boston Latin School, and then chat with Mayor Michelle Wu and students about about her time growing in Boston.
- Watch: Grab a Cool Dog; the conversation will be streamed live at noon.
P.S.— Boston University's men's hockey team is back in the Frozen Four, facing off against Penn State in St. Louis at 8:30 p.m tonight. It's the third straight year BU has made it to the tournament semifinals — but they haven't made the finals in a decade. Terriers fans, you can watch the game live on ESPN2 or ESPN+.
