Veteran actor Peter Riegert will attend the two screenings of his Oscar-nominated short film, `By Courier', during this month's Bermuda International Film Festival (BIFF).

Mr. Riegert is perhaps best known for his acting roles in `Local Hero', `Crossing Delancy', `Animal House', and `Traffic', with Michael Douglas.

`By Courier' marks the actor's directorial debut. He also wrote the script for the 13-minute short, based on the O Henry short story.

The film will be screened on Saturday, April 21 at 6 p.m. at the Liberty Theatre, and on Monday, April 23 at 9 p.m. at the Little Theatre.

`By Courier' will be screened with the feature-length film `Maze', which stars another Oscar nominee, Laura Linney, who was nominated for Best Actress for her performance in Kenneth Lonergan's `You Can Count On Me'.

Mr. Riegert's film tells the story of two lovers who are no longer speaking.

As articulate and intelligent as they are, they cannot breach this gap without the "poetic'' assistance of a 13-year-old boy from the wrong side of the tracks.

Garret Dillahunt plays the role of The Man; Claire Lautier The Woman, and Joey Temperini The Courier.

"In general, this is about how our senses often fail us in seeing the truth,'' Mr. Riegert says. "It is rich in detail, as an O Henry short story is, and it's about how passion leads us astray. Looks deceive; our senses often leave us without understanding the truth of situations.

The actor/director says he is captivated by the literature of O Henry's day.

Although `By Courier' was written in 1910, Mr. Riegert has set his film in the 1930s.

"We think of 1910 as ancient history,'' he says, "but 1910 is very modern, and cinema is a modern art form. They were on to something back then that examined the traits of human nature, rather than that particular era in time.'' Peter Riegert began his acting career 30 years ago in New York City with the improv company War Babies, and by working off-off Broadway.

His off-Broadway theatre credits include David Mamet's `Sexual Perversity in Chicago', Harold Pinter's `The Birthday Party', and Wendy Wasserstein's `Isn't It Romantic'.

Broadway credits include David Mamet's `The Old Neighbourhood', and Wendy Wasserstein's `The American Daughter'.

Mr. Riegert has been featured in 23 feature films; on television in 19 films, as well as in television series. He was nominated for an Emmy for his role in `Barbarians at the Gate'.

"Peter is a veteran actor whose work I have enjoyed on many occasions,'' said BIFF director Aideen Ratteray Pryse. "His short film is of the highest quality, and shows that he has considerable ability as a director as well. We are pleased to welcome Peter to our Festival.'' A third screening of the Swedish film `Jalla! Jalla!' has been added to BIFF's final night screenings by popular demand. It fills the `TBA' slot on the programme, and will be shown at the Little Theatre beginning at 9 p.m. The previous showing at the same theatre is already sold out, and few tickets remain for the 8.30 p.m. performance on April 23 at the Liberty Theatre.

Pass holders who plan to see `Jalla! Jalla!' earlier in the week may exchange their `TBA' tickets for admission to any other BIFF 2001 film by going to the Visitors' Service Bureau box office today. Thereafter, they may be exchanged at BIFF offices in Broadway House on Spurling Hill.

Tickets to the Bermuda International Film Festival are on sale at the Visitors Service Bureau from 10 a.m. 2 p.m. today. Thereafter, they will be sold at the Liberty and Little Theatres. For further information 295-1727.

Coming soon: Peter Riegert