The Bangkok International Film Festival is embroiled in controversy after it banned Japanese film "Children of the Dark".

It was withdrawn from the programme just four days before the film event starts.

Organisers decided not to screen the film because of its sensitive content.

Disappointed Japanese director Junji Sakamoto will fly to Thailand to hold a news conference this week at the Foreign Correspondent Club.

However, festival director Jaruek Kanjaruek hopes Sakamoto will allow the festival to accompany him.

"Children of the Dark" was in the "Made in Thailand" special category for films shot here.

When the film was mentioned in the festival line-up, officials at the embassy in Japan viewed it and then pressured organisers to withdraw it.

Festival artistic director Yongyooth Thongkongtoon says the decision was made after much discussion.

The Tourism Authority runs the festival.

The ban comes because of the film's theme of child prostitution and trafficking.

It is based on the controversial but commercially successful novel "Blood and Bones". It is a story about prostitution and black-market organ harvesting in Thailand.

"Children of the Dark" was denied permission to shoot here because of its "undesirable content".

But, when the director teamed up with a Thai partner, it became a coproduction and got shooting permission.

This is a common way to get around the country's regulations. Producers do not need to submit scripts to get permission.

The movie stars Yosuke Eguchi and Satoshi Tsumabuki as well as locals Praptpadol Suwanbang and Prima Ratchata.

The festival features some 70 films from around the world. Friday's grand opening will feature director Nonzee Nimibutr's epic, "Queen of Langkasuka".

The festival is at the SFW Cinema, CentralWorld until September 30.

Visit www.bangkokfilm.org.