Italian-Americans blast Dreamworks' Shark Tales

Dreamworks' new animated movie Shark Tales has infuriated Italian-American groups, who complain the film's gangster-like characters promote negative stereotypes.

Pressure groups like Columbus Citizens are urging parents to boycott the film, claiming it incites racial prejudices.

The group also accuse director Steven Spielberg - co-founder of Dreamworks - of being hypocritical for backing the film, despite his high- profile association with causes dedicated to fighting prejudice and anti-Semitism.

A Columbus Citizens spokesman says: "The movie introduces young minds to the idea that people with Italian names - like millions of Americans across the country - are gangsters."