But instead of a discussion on art and culture, three international film directors were swept up in the politically-charged controversy raging over celebrity filmmaker Steven Spielberg's pullout from the Beijing Games.

British director Daryl Goodrich, Hong Kong film-maker Andrew Lau Wai Keung and Majid Majidi from Iran were grilled on Spielberg's decision, their stance on human rights, and whether they had full artistic freedom to make their films in Beijing.

Spielberg withdrew from his role as an artistic adviser on the Beijing Olympics' opening and closing ceremonies 12 days ago, citing China's failure to do more to halt the bloodshed in the Darfur region of Sudan despite its ties with Sudan's government.

Beijing has so far refrained from directly criticising Spielberg. But state media have been less restrained - publishing scathing articles over the past week blasting his move and condemning attempts to drag politics into what China insists is a purely sporting event.

The three film-makers yesterday defended their participation in the Beijing government-sponsored 'Vision Beijing' project, saying that politics should be kept separate from sports and arts.

The directors were invited to capture different aspects of Beijing's Olympics preparations and they filmed in the Chinese capital over the past year.

They were present yesterday for the premiere of their short films, which will be aired on state-run television, state airline flights, in cinemas and outdoor screens.

Italian director Giuseppe Tornatore and French film-maker Patrice Leconte also contributed films but were absent yesterday.

Lau said he was 'surprised' that Spielberg chose to sever his ties with the Beijing Games.

'Of course, he had his own thinking, but it's very clear the Olympics is not political. It's sports, it's not political,' said Lau whose crime thriller Infernal Affairs was remade recently into the Hollywood blockbuster The Departed.

Majidi, whose 1998 film Children Of Heaven was nominated for the Academy award for Best Foreign Language film, said 'art should have nothing to do with politics'.

'On the contrary, art may be undermined if it is connected with something like this,' he said.

Goodrich would not comment on Spielberg's decision but said 'respect for human rights is absolutely essential wherever you are in the world, that's non-negotiable'.

He rejected the suggestion that some might see his short film as 'propaganda', saying he was 'simply out to depict a story of dedication and passion'.

Goodrich, who worked on films promoting London's 2012 Olympics bid, added that he had 'complete directorial freedom' on his five-minute film about young athletes aiming for Olympics glory.

Barely containing her displeasure at the political turn of some questions, Madam Wang Hui, spokesman for the Beijing Olympics organising committee, hit back.

'All countries use film and TV to promote their countries and cities,' she said.

'We have the same idea. But why is it that others can do so, but when we follow, people call it propaganda?'