Culture Minister Miki Zohar has threatened to end all government funding for the film industry, escalating a dispute over his efforts to establish an alternative movie awards ceremony. Zohar's announcement follows a boycott by industry figures of the new awards, which he set up in response to dissatisfaction with the prizes given at this year's national film awards. The controversy centers on the top prize being awarded to 'The Sea,' a film about a Palestinian boy, which Zohar claims portrays Israel negatively. He accused some in the industry of pressuring participants to withdraw from the alternative ceremony and labeled them as 'violent extremists.' Zohar has already halted funding for the national awards and now warns that the entire annual budget for film could be cut if the standoff continues.