LORD OF THE RINGS STAR BILLY BOYD ATTENDS
MEDICINE HAT FILM FESTIVAL MARCH 13

Medicine Hat – Actor Billy Boyd attends a special screening of Scottish short films March 13 at the Monarch Theatre (609 2 Street SE) presented by the Film Circuit, a division of the Toronto International Film Festival Group and the Medicine Hat Film Festival. The shorts programme is part of a first-year collaborative project between Scottish Screen, the Edinburgh Filmhouse in Scotland and the Film Circuit. The programme begins at 7 p.m. Tickets available at the door.

Boyd stars in the 25-minute sci-fi short SNIPER 470, in which he plays an outer space marksman defending the earth from alien outlaws. The actor is best known for playing the hobbit “Pippin” in the Oscar nominated LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING and THE TWO TOWERS. Boyd’s film SNIPER 470 is one of six shorts being screened. The programme lineup in screening order is:

CRY FOR BOBO (2001, UK, 9′) David Cairns
STATION (1999, UK, 15′) Jackie Oudney
POACHED (1999, UK, 19′) Justin Molotnikov
NIGHTWINDOWS (2001, UK, 3′) Anwyn Beier
BEST MAN (2001, UK, 17′) Becky Brazil
SNIPER 470 (2002, UK, 25′) Paul Holmes

CRY FOR BOBO is a frantic knockabout tragedy as Bobo is sent to clown prison for a daring but silly crime; STATION is a well-crafted tale of passengers in limbo; POACHED has two brothers escaping their dysfunctional family to go fishing one afternoon; the animated NIGHTWINDOWS turns the viewer into a voyeur, offering brief but compelling glimpses into people’s private worlds; and in BEST MAN, the title character is too self-absorbed in his ceremonial duty at a wedding to consider the things that really matter.

“The collaboration between the Film Circuit and its UK partners provides international exposure for these films,” said Cam Haynes, Director of the Film Circuit. “It also helps create wonderful networking possibilities for filmmakers in the UK and Canada.”

Boyd’s other visits in Canada include the Edmonton International Film Festival (March 15) and Burlington, Ontario (March 19).

The Film Circuit is a grassroots initiative which promotes and facilitates screenings of Canadian and international independent films in more than 100 communities across Canada and abroad. These activities ensure cultural access to residents, promote national artists and films, and generate significant economic benefits for both the Canadian film industry and the local community. Programmes earlier this year include the Volkswagen Canadian Short Film Showcase, that featured among the very best Canadian short films from across the country.

The Film Circuit is generously sponsored by
Global, Telefilm Canada, Ontario Trillium Foundation,
Ontario Media Development Corporation, Bell Canada, IFC – The Independent Film Channel, Warner Bros., Directors Guild of Canada – Ontario,
Cineplex Odeon Corporation, Famous Players Inc., and Volkswagen.

Special thanks to Bell Mobility, Harbinger Foundation, S.M. Blair Family Foundation, Sleeman Brewing & Malting Co. Ltd., and Thrifty Car Rental.