The New Zealand AIDS Foundation says organisers of the Out Takes Film Festival attempted to "ban" their health promoters in certain cities. Furthermore, they are disappointed to be denied speaking rights at festival screenings, even though they didn't specifically negotiate these as part of their sponsorship agreement with festival organisers, Reel Queer. "During the festival there have been attempts to limit or even ban the presence of our health promoters at Out Takes openings and/or screenings in some cities," says Te Te Herekiekie Herewini, NZAF's National Manager of Health Promotion. The NZAF is Out Takes' 'gold tiara' sponsor, and launched the safe-sex campaign 'Love Is…' (always wearing a condom), aimed at gay and bisexual men in relationships. The campaign includes a short film screened before each festival session of particular interest to gay and bisexual men. "Knowing that in previous years sponsors had been allowed to speak, our preparations proceeded in good faith…" says Rachael Le Mesurier, Executive Director of the NZAF. Shortly after Out Takes opening night in Auckland, Jeremy Lambert, Chair of the NZAF said he was "disappointed" that Out Takes "denied" the NZAF the opportunity to speak at this year's festival. He said the record number of new HIV infections in 2005 included men in relationships, and as movie-going is an activity often enjoyed by couples, it would have been a good opportunity to speak to these men to complement the short film. The NZAF say they made "informal approaches" to Out Takes in March to secure speaking rights, and followed up with a "series of formal approaches in April." "On April 21, we were surprised to be informed in writing that no sponsor would be allowed to speak at either the opening nights or at film sessions,” says Le Mesurier. “By this stage, money had been spent on advertising for Out Takes with the expectation that the visual images would be backed up with a hard-hitting verbal message." The NZAF has said this year's sponsorship agreement is money well spent, but may look for alternatives for their sponsorship dollar next year. "Event sponsorship is reviewed on an annual basis," says Herewini. "With our limited resources, we have to ensure when sponsoring events that our ability to deliver the safe sex message is in proportion to the amount of money being put in." For Le Mesurier, "it shouldn't matter whether NZAF has given money or not." "What's important to us all is that one gay or bisexual man was diagnosed with HIV every four days in 2005. This is something that we need every organisation that works with, serves and supports the gay community, to be deeply concerned by." Out Takes has thus far not responded to the NZAF's comments, except to say they are grateful for all their sponsors' support and "we are happy to talk to our sponsors about any matter they wish to raise with us." Out Takes notes they are not in the habit of discussing sponsorship agreements through the media.