In a statement announcing the cancellation, TGVG said: “After pressure from UK Lawyers for Israel, Gilwell Park decided to cancel our venue hire contract just weeks before the event.” The organisers added that, as vegans, they oppose “oppression in any context” and remain committed to raising money for rescued animals while advocating for justice. They described the decision as devastating, not only for attendees, but also for the sanctuaries that would have benefited from the event’s proceeds.

The cancellation has also prompted wider discussion about the impact of legal interventions on cultural and charitable events. UKLFI has become increasingly active in lobbying institutions over events it argues raise legal or equality concerns. In recent years it has claimed credit for interventions affecting university events, concerts and film screenings, including a Palestinian solidarity concert in London and screenings at University College London.

For critics, the concern extends beyond one cancelled festival. They argue that repeated legal pressure on venues and organisers risks creating a chilling effect, where cultural institutions become reluctant to host politically sensitive events regardless of whether any laws have been broken. Supporters of UKLFI, meanwhile, maintain that its interventions are intended to ensure organisations comply with equality and discrimination law.

The consequences are particularly significant for the animal charities at the heart of The Great Vegan Gathering. As a fully non-profit event, all proceeds were intended for vegan animal sanctuaries. Its cancellation therefore represents not only the loss of a cultural space for vegan artists and activists, but also a missed fundraising opportunity for rescued animals.

Among those expressing disappointment was musician NEO 10Y, who had been due to perform. In a message shared following the announcement, the artist said: “Very sorry to hear this. Stay strong and keep supporting the animals, all oppressed beings on planet Earth and vegan artists and activists who also suffer at the cost of being literal pacifists and sharing our voices of truth and liberation.” The statement reflects the sense of solidarity many performers have expressed, even as organisers look ahead to rebuilding the festival for 2027.

Whether viewed as a legitimate legal intervention or an example of political pressure reshaping Britain’s cultural landscape, the collapse of The Great Vegan Gathering highlights a wider question. As venues become increasingly wary of controversy, it may not only be artists and activists who lose opportunities, but also the charitable causes that depend on public gatherings to survive. In this case, the biggest losers may ultimately be the rescued animals the festival was created to help.

The post How Pro-Israel Lawyers Shut Down a Major Vegan Festival, And the Animals Are Paying the Price appeared first on KIMU.

Sarah Michelle Gellar breaks her silence on the “Buffy” reboot cancellation, blaming it on one executive who’s “not a fan of the original.”

“No one saw this coming, including the head of Searchlight. I got the call as we were stepping onto stage for the premiere of their own movie. And it’s also the weekend of Chloé [Zhao] going to the Oscars as a best director nominee for Hamnet. For them to call us on the Friday of what should have been Chloé’s victory lap for an incredible film, and my world premiere of something that I worked very hard for is… That says something.”

“We had an executive on our show who was not only not a fan of the original, but was proud to constantly remind us that he had never seen the entirety of the series and how it wasn’t for him,” she said. “That’s very hard when you’re taking a property that is as beloved as Buffy, not just to the world, but to me and Chloé. So that tells you the uphill battle that we had been fighting since day one, when your executive is literally proud to tell you that he didn’t watch it.”

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Fans of the Buffyverse were dealt a major blow today after Sarah Michelle Gellar revealed on Instagram that Hulu has cancelled the planned revival of the cult supernatural drama Buffy the Vampire Slayer. The sequel series, titled Buffy the Vampire Slayer: New Sunnydale, had been in development for several years and was widely expected to premiere sometime in 2026. 

In an emotional video posted Saturday, Gellar told fans she was “really sad” to share that Hulu had decided “not to move forward” with the project. The actress, who played Buffy Summers in the original series from 1997 to 2003, had recently agreed to return to the franchise after years of declining revival proposals. 

What the Revival Was Supposed to Be

Despite being widely referred to as a reboot, New Sunnydale was actually conceived as a continuation of the Buffy universe rather than a full remake. Buffy herself would have returned in a supporting or mentor role, while the story focused on a new generation of vampire slayers. 

The show’s central character was Nova, a young Slayer played by Ryan Kiera Armstrong. Other cast members included Faly Rakotohavana, Ava Jean, Sarah Bock, Daniel Di Tomasso, and Jack Cutmore-Scott. 

Behind the scenes, the project also had a notable creative team. Oscar-winning filmmaker Chloé Zhao was attached to direct the pilot, while television writers Nora Zuckerman and Lila Zuckerman were developing the script. Country music icon Dolly Parton, whose production company helped produce the original series, was also involved as an executive producer. 

Why Was It Cancelled?

Hulu has not yet issued a detailed explanation for the cancellation, but several factors may have contributed. Reports suggest that the pilot struggled creatively and that Zhao’s filmmaking style may not have been an ideal fit for an ongoing television series. 

There may also have been strategic considerations. Streaming platforms have become increasingly cautious with expensive genre projects, especially those tied to legacy intellectual property that must attract both nostalgic fans and new audiences. If early development failed to demonstrate strong commercial potential, Hulu may have decided the risk was too high.

Another possibility is the challenge of revisiting such an iconic franchise. The original Buffy the Vampire Slayer developed a passionate cult following over its seven-season run, and any revival would inevitably face intense scrutiny from fans comparing it to the original. 

For now, the Buffy revival has been “staked,” at least at Hulu. However, given the franchise’s enduring popularity and Hollywood’s love of nostalgia, many fans are already speculating that another streamer could eventually attempt to resurrect the project.

Sarah ended the Instagram post with the iconic words, “If the apocalypse comes, beep me…”

The post Has the Buffy reboot been cancelled? Yes… Here’s Why appeared first on KIMU.