A television movie about the life of former New York mayor Rudolph Giuliani has sparked anger in the US TV and film industry because it is going to be shot in Canada.

The film is based on an unauthorised biography of the politician, who was taken to the hearts of New Yorkers and Americans elsewhere in the wake of the 11 September attacks on the United States.

There are no credible substitutes for the city

New York City film commissioner Katherine Oliver

Actor James Woods will star as the Brooklyn-born former mayor and the film will show his childhood, his political career and his leadership in the days following the attacks on the twin towers of the World Trade Center.

But the decision to film across the border has angered the powerful film union, the Screen Actors' Guild.

Struggling

"This is again an example of how an American story is being told across the border," said Pamm Fair, national deputy director of the Screen Actors Guild.

Woods has been nominated for two Oscars

She said the decision means less work for union members and comes at a time when New York's film industry is still struggling to attract film crews to the city following the 11 September attacks.

"They have very little right now," she said.

"Runaway production is a huge problem in this country."

The New York mayor's Office of Film, Theater and Broadcasting said business was "average" in the city for the autumn season.

In March this year, director and actor Woody Allen attended the Oscars ceremony to encourage film-makers to return to New York, where he lives and has filmed many of his most famous movies.

He said: "It's a great, great movie town. It's been a great, moving and exciting backdrop for movies and it remains a great, great city."

Few scenes

The film's producers, Carlton America and USA Networks, declined to comment on the decision to shoot the movie in Canada.

But Les Eisner, a spokesman for Carlton America, said a few scenes may be shot in New York.

"We offer the most compelling package of incentives in the nation to all productions set in New York," said New York City film commissioner Katherine Oliver.

"There are no credible substitutes for the city."

Film-makers are turning to Canada because the country offers strong tax incentives while New York incentives include free permits, free police help and the elimination of a 4% sales tax on goods and services used during production.

A spokeswoman for Mr Giuliani declined to comment about the film.