Only a handful of MPs and senators showed up for a special pre-release screening of a film driving the controversy over a Conservative bill that would deny tax credits to Canadian movies and TV shows that the government deems offensive.

Young People F---ing has been used as an example to support Bill C-10, even though it isn't widely being screened yet. (CBC)

NDP MP Bill Siksay, Liberal MP Denis Coderre and Senator Terry Mercer were among the few higher-ranking politicians who saw Young People F---ing on Thursday at the World Exchange Plaza in Ottawa, out of the more than 40 who signed up.

Nevertheless, the theatre was packed with young parliamentary aides and assistants, as well as Victoria van Eyk. Van Eyk was fired earlier this week from her job as an assistant to Conservative MP Gary Goodyear, allegedly after ordering tickets to the show despite being told not to.

Young People F---ing, which won't be released until June, has been held up as an example by proponents of Bill C-10, which would allow the government to deny tax credits to Canadian movie and TV productions that it deems "contrary to public policy," as well as rescind tax credits from already-made films.

The filmmakers have insisted that the comedy about sexual relationships isn't pornographic, and wanted to prove it by showing the movie to those who might be voting on the bill.

Film will make people laugh: NDP MP

After the screening, Siksay said he thinks the film isn't offensive, explores some serious issues and will be enjoyed by many Canadians.

"I think it was a great film that's going to make a lot of people laugh," said the MP for Burnaby-Douglas, who is also the NDP's heritage critic. "What I would find offensive is that anybody would try and enforce their own sense of personal taste to prohibit a movie like that from being made."

Coderre, who represents Bourassa, said he wasn't at the screening simply to see what the film was about.

"I think that the reason why I'm here is to send a clear message that I don't want to have a Canada with censorship," he said. "I want to have my own capacity to critique the movie afterwards, but I'm not Mr. Censor."

Martin Gero, director, co-writer and executive producer of the film, said he and the other filmmakers decided to hold the special screening after realizing the film was an easy target for proponents of Bill C-10 because it has swearing in the title and almost no one had seen it.

Producer Steve Hobin said he hoped the screening would make people voting on the bill "laugh a lot, and then walk away and say, 'Well, you know, it was a good movie and not objectionable.'"

Among the 40 MPs and senators originally signed up to see the film were several Conservative MPs, who later said their names were listed by mistake and they had no plans to attend the screening.

The film, Gero's first feature, was screened in September as part of the official selection at the Toronto International Film Festival.