Film festival hit by killer virus

Film festival hit by killer virus

Hong Kong is the second worst Sars affected country

Italy's Far East Cinema Festival has fallen victim to the deadly Sars virus as Chinese guests may be requested to stay away.

The festival is billed as one of the largest Asian events in Europe with films shown from across the region.

But organisers believe 22 actors, directors and producers from Hong Kong, Beijing and Shanghai may be uninvited because of the concerns of local people about the spread of Sars.

Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome has killed more than 90 people and infected 2,700 worldwide.

Festival organiser Centro Espressioni Cinematografiche (CEC) has come up against a widespread panic about the forthcoming festival over worries about the highly contagious pneumonia-type illness.

It is calling on the country's ministry of health to release a statement allaying fears and reminding people there is no ban on Chinese citizens visiting Italy.

But any official statement could lead to the withdrawal of invitations to Chinese delegates, but the CEC says it does not have the authority to cancel the invites itself.

Cancellations

Organisers said: "We do expect, nevertheless, to receive a formal letter from the Italian government's health department declaring its intention to withdraw invitations to these guests, so as not to jeopardise in future the public relations between the festival and film companies in the areas that are considered "at risk" from the virus."

A spokesman for CEC said one hotel in Udine had cancelled reservations from all guests involved in the festival, including those from Asian countries which have not been affected by Sars.

The organisation has been in constant contact with the Chinese delegation to keep them informed of the latest situation.

CEC said it would not cancel the festival because of the amount of preparation that has gone in to it, and that film prints have already arrived in Udine.

But it is worried audience figures will drop by 20% compared with the previous year's attendances.

It also expects to be hit by the absence of US contributors who do not wish to fly during a time of war.

The festival is to held in the northern Italian town of Udine from 24 April to 1 May.