A GROUP of friends who met in Aberystwyth in the 1990s will return to the seaside town to launch their new film in Wales, writes Julie McNicholls Vale.

Canaries will receive its Welsh premiere at Aberystwyth Arts Centre as part of the Abertoir Film Festival.

Actor and producer, Craig Russell, says he and the team behind the sci-fi comedy horror are thrilled to be coming to Aberystwyth, as it holds a special place in the hearts of many of the cast and crew.

“We are incredibly excited to be screening there and would really love to pack out the audience,” he said.

The film itself was shot on three continents including Vietnam and the locations on Martha’s Vineyard used in the film Jaws.

“But it was filmed predominantly in Wales in my home village of Lower Cwmtwrch,” Craig explained.

“‘Canaries’ tells the story of the first wave of an alien invasion that coincides with a New Year’s Eve party in a small Welsh valley.”

The films stars a host of well-known Welsh actors including Robert Pugh (Game of Thrones), Kai Owen (Torchwood), Hannah Daniel (Hinterland) Steven Meo (Gavin and Stacey, High Hopes) Richard Mylan (Waterloo Road, Coupling) and BAFTA winner Aled Pugh from Sky One comedy Stella, to name but a few.

The film’s magic was provided by the guys who won the Oscar last year for Best Special Effects and the team behind Sherlock and Doctor Who worked on the film’s post production.

“We managed all of this for just “£29,000”, said Craig.

“This, I’m reliably informed, is less than half the coffee budget on the James Bond Movie Spectre!”

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