Ringer fans rejoice! A very special event is being planned for the West Coast Premiere of “Ringers: Lord of the Fans!” The documentary phenomenon that made such a huge splash at Slamdance in Park City last January is now being screened again at an exclusive engagement with the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival on April 23, 2005. This theatrical presentation of the hottest film in the Tolkien universe also includes a rare screening of Billy Boyd’s short film “Instant Credit!” A huge after-party is scheduled at the Hard Rock Cafe immediately following. For full details and how to get your tickets to this fantastic event! Visit the NBFF official site [here]. http://www.newportbeachfilmfest.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS WEST COAST PREMIERE
AT THE 2005 NEWPORT BEACH FILM FESTIVAL
ON APRIL 23, 2005

HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA — MARCH 24, 2005 — Southern California’s Ringer fans will enjoy the long-awaited chance to see RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS at the 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival. Enthusiasts of Tolkien’s books are legion, expanded by the success of Peter Jackson’s “Lord of the Rings” Oscar-sweeping trilogy; but fans will only be able to catch the hot documentary phenomenon that took over Park City at NBFF’s exclusive screening. The event is scheduled Saturday, April 23, 2005, at 7:30pm at the classic LIDO CINEMA located at 3459 Via Lido, Newport Beach, CA, 92663 — Tel: 949-673-8350.

As a special treat for fans, Billy Boyd’s critically lauded short film INSTANT CREDIT has been added to the evening program. The short will screen immediately before RINGERS. After the premiere, join us for a RINGERS PREMIERE PARTY with hosted bar and appetizers at The FASHION ISLAND HARD ROCK CAFE located at 451 Newport Center Dr. Newport Beach, CA, 92660 — Tel: 949-640-8844. The event is ages 21 and over ONLY! Live music and performances are being scheduled, details TBA. Tickets for both the screening and the party go on sale April 1, 2005, and can be purchased at the Festival’s official site www.newportbeachfilmfest.com or by phone at 866-NBFF-TIX. Combo price for both screening ticket and party is $50.00/each. Screening tickets only $15.00/each. Reserve tickets early — they are expected to sell out.

RINGERS debuted at the 2005 Slamdance Film Festival this January to sell-out crowds and great reviews. The Toronto Star called it “…comprehensive, entertaining and informative pop cultural history.” Independent film ubersite FilmThreat proclaimed: “It is a documentary that will always be a salient part of Lord of the Rings history…. See it, absorb it, love it!”

RINGERS: LORD OF THE FANS serves as a remarkable dénouement to the past 50 years of the worldwide following of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”

Current “Ringers” Interviewees include:

Actor – Dominic Monaghan, Writer/Director/Producer – Peter Jackson, Actor – Elijah Wood, Actor – Sir Ian McKellen, Actor – Viggo Mortensen, Actor – Sean Astin, Actor – Billy Boyd, Actor – Andy Serkis, Actor – John Rhys-Davies, Actor – John Noble, Screenwriter – Philippa Boyens, Producer – Barrie Osborne, Author/Interviewer – Cliff Broadway, Author/Filmmaker – Clive Barker, Writer/Director/Producer – Cameron Crowe, Actor – David Carradine, Author – Terry Pratchett, Author – Peter S. Beagle, Author – Terry Brooks, Musician – Lemmy Kilmister, Musician – Geddy Lee, Tolkien Scholar – Dr. Jane Chance, Chairperson of the Tolkien Society – Christine Crawshaw, Author – Colin Duriez, Filmmaker/Critic – Chris Gore, Writer/Publisher – Forrest J. Ackerman, Actor – Bill Mumy, Author/Broadcaster – Brian Sibley, Illustrator/Author – Colleen Doran, Illustrator/Author – Jill Thompson, and hundreds of Tolkien fans!

For more information visit – http://www.lordofthefans.net

The 2005 Newport Beach Film Festival will showcase more than 350 films from around the world, offering an ambitious and international selection of features, shorts, documentaries and animation that will compete for both Jury and Audience awards. Now in its 6th year, the Festival is proud to treat its audience to World and U.S. premieres, Academy Award entries, Sundance Selections, a Spotlight Series, and Children’s Festival, from both the independent and studio worlds. The Festival has presented many acclaimed films, including Sexy Beast, Spellbound, Dogtown and Z Boys, Joint Security Area and Castle in the Sky. Set in beautiful Newport Beach, a few blocks away from spectacular coastline and less than an hour from Hollywood, the Festival will host several premieres, galas and yacht parties for a singular festival experience.

LOTR Actors will be featured in the following films playing at the Newport Beach Film Festival 2005.

“Everything Goes” with Hugo Weaving
Australia 2004
Sunday, April 24 – 1:30 PM – Edwards Island 3
Thursday, April 28 – 9:00 PM – Edwards Island 3

“Catching Kringle” with John Rhys-Davies
United States 2004
Saturday, April 23 – 11:30 AM – Edwards Island 4

“Peaches” with Hugo Weaving
Australia 2004
Sunday, April 24 – 8:30 PM – Edwards Island 6

“As Smart As They Are: The Author Project” with Viggo Mortensen
United States 2004
Saturday, April 23 – 8:00 PM – Orange County Museum of Art

“Instant Credit” with Billy Boyd
United Kingdom 2004
Saturday, April 23 – 7:30pm – Lido Theater
Tuesday, April 26 – 6:30 PM – Edwards Island 3
Thursday, April 28 – 1:30 PM – Edwards Island 3

“The Hobart Shakespeareans” with Ian McKellen
United States 2004
Saturday, April 23 – 12:00 PM – Edwards Island 5
Tuesday, April 26 – 11:00AM – Edwards Island 6

“Boys and a Girl from County Clare” with Bernard Hill
Wednesday, April 27, 7:30 PM