VENICE (AFP) ― The Venice film festival descended briefly into chaos Sunday as screaming “Harry Potter” fans stampeded across the seafront after British star Daniel Radcliffe, in town to present his new film.

Radcliffe, who rose to fame playing the child wizard, was surrounded by bodyguards and police, but that did not stop some admirers pushing their way into the bathroom with him during a press conference break.

The 24-year-old shrugged off suggestions that the clamor of hyperventilating teenagers on Venice’s picturesque Lido island was intimidating.

“Thankfully, it’s not always like this,” he told the press conference, as a crowd outside thumped on the walls and rattled the windows trying to get in.

“I’ve been dealing with it in various ways since I was 11. I don’t take it seriously, actually I think it’s funny,” said a smiling Radcliffe, sporting a blue polo shirt, rainbow-colored socks and pastel pink sneakers.