Ion Shiman and a group of staffers at Moldova-Film are asking the Government for explanations over the recent dismissal of Shiman from the post of director of the Studios, Info-Prim Neo reports. Ion Shiman has told a press conference on Friday that he was notified of the dismissal on January 19. The Ministry of Culture, which has jurisdiction over the government-owned Moldova-Film studios, explained the dismissal on the expiration on January 16 of the five-year labor agreement with Shiman. But Shiman claims his dismissal is illegal and “fabricated” by Minister Boris Focsa. The staffers at the Studios sent a letter to acting President Marian Lupu, PM Vlad Filat and Liberal leader Mihai Ghimpu, asking them for a meeting to clarify the situation with a view to extending Shiman's labor agreement. The staffers argued that Ion Shiman as a director demonstrated efficiency and wisdom in managing the Studios and that he should be given credit for his efforts to keep the company afloat. At the same time, the Filmmakers Union of Moldova issued a statement on Friday requesting the direct intervention of the Government in the problems of the Studios. The Union also requested that an experienced and professional person be appointed as director of Moldova-Film, on a competition basis. Ion Shiman became general director of Moldova-Film Studios in January 2006, but was dismissed in 2008, which was followed by a string of trials. He was eventually restored to the post in early 2010. There are reports that the Ministry of Culture intends to replace Shiman with theater and film director Sandu Vasilache.