TEHRAN -- The Iranian Film Producers and Distributors Union (IFPDU) denied news reports that the union had planned a secret boycott of Bahram Beizaei.

The spokesman of the union, Alireza Davoudnejad, stated, "It is clear for the union that in the dispute related to the film ****Killing Rabid Dogs****, Beizaei has only defended his principles and rights."

Davoudnejad underlined that the screening of the film ****Killing Rabid Dogs*** on Eid-ul-Fitr was due to the efforts of the representatives of the union on the screening council. "The success of this film ended the stagnancy of the screening season and opened a window of hope for Iran's national cinema," he added.

He further said, "Considering the statement issued by the union about the goals of the national cinema and the principles and methods necessary to achieve them, a great artist like Beizaei, who has contributed greatly to the country's cinema and theater, can present a good model for the Iranian national cinema," adding, "The union will make every effort to promote the presence of Beizaei in the world of cinema."

On Saturday, a newspaper had reported that the IFPDU was unofficially planning to prevent investments in future projects of Bahram Beizaei.