The absence of China, save for a couple entries, is certainly conspicuous. The main reason, aside from the pandemic, is censorship. It may be sly, underhanded, but it is strong. Unwanted filmmakers are prevented from obtaining the necessary funds to produce and distribute their work. The Chinese government puts an inordinate amount of pressure to stop certain directors from working and to prevent what films they do make from being distributed, least of all abroad.
