#Arts13

15 Jan 2026

Taliban control reshapes Afghan cinema

Since August 2021 the Taliban have closed cinemas, removed women from media and dissolved the state film body. An investigation shows fear for the national film archive and serious limits on filmmakers inside and outside Afghanistan.

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

Photo by Sohaib Ghyasi, Unsplash

25 Nov 2025

Danielle Dieffenthaller, producer of Westwood Park, dies at 60

On November 22 Kes the Band’s Instagram announced the death of Danielle Dieffenthaller. The Trinidadian television and film producer of Westwood Park had renal failure since 2018 and died in hospice at age 60.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

20 Nov 2025

Guadeloupe turns waste into resources

Guadeloupe produced 346,720 tonnes of waste in 2023. Local groups, artists and the Regional Council promote reuse, recycling and new facilities to cut landfill use and reach zero waste by 2035.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

16 Nov 2025

Talia Levitt: art and early motherhood

New York artist Talia Levitt presented "24/7," a show about early motherhood that mixes domestic objects with art techniques. She uses scored grids, piped paint and sequins; the exhibition will travel to K11 Art Foundation in Shanghai.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

13 Oct 2025

Nick: Comics, Horror and Politics in Exarchia

Nick is an Athens comic artist who uses horror to talk about real political problems. His work changed after the Tempi train crash and October 7, 2023; his comic Vile Hunter mixes the supernatural with political critique.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

21 Sept 2025

Concerns over arts funding and the future of Bocas Lit Fest

Marina Salandy-Brown links recent funding changes to wider problems in how Trinidad and Tobago values culture. She describes lost sponsorships, gaps in state support and calls for a statutory Arts Council with stable funding.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

4 Sept 2025

The Other Sahel: Artists in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso

A short documentary by Joël Hevi shows artists and cultural entrepreneurs in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. The film asks viewers to rethink Sahel stereotypes and highlights culture as a tool for social change.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

20 Aug 2025

Artist Melissa Koby creates US Open theme art

Melissa Koby, a Jamaican-born artist in Florida, is the first Black artist chosen to create the 2025 US Open theme art. Her piece, for “75 Years of Breaking Barriers,” honours tennis pioneer Althea Gibson.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

23 Jul 2025

Creative Australia reinstates Venice Biennale nominees

Creative Australia has reversed its removal of artist Khaled Sabsabi and curator Michael Dagostino as Australia’s nominees for the 2026 Venice Biennale after public debate, a Senate hearing and an independent review.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

18 Jun 2025

Tamara Finlay: A Ukrainian Animator

Tamara Finlay is a stop-motion animator from Dearborn, Michigan. Her work reflects her Ukrainian heritage, exploring themes of memory, culture, and personal stories.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

18 Jun 2025

New Bill in the Philippines and Online Content Regulation

A bill in the Philippines aims to expand the powers of the MTRCB to regulate online content. This has sparked concerns about censorship among artists and advocates for free speech.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

9 Jun 2025

Nigerian-American Filmmaker Lanre’ Obisesan

Lanre’ Obisesan is a filmmaker who uses his films for emotional healing. His journey from pharmacist to filmmaker shows the power of storytelling in exploring identity and resilience.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read

2 Jun 2025

New Record for Longest Steelpan Marathon

Joshua Regrello from Trinidad and Tobago set a world record for the longest marathon playing the steelpan, lasting 31 hours. His achievement has been celebrated locally and internationally.

Level

A1 A2 B1 B2 Read