US festival screening for Sir Sean’s animated film

Scotland’s first animated feature film, starring Sir Sean Connery, is to make its international debut next month.

The former 007 star came out of retirement in 2006 to play the title role in Sir Billi.

It tells the story of a skateboarding grandfather and vet who lives in a Highland village. Accompanied by faithful companion Gordon the Goat, played by Alan Cumming, Sir Billi sets out to rescue Bessie Boo, a beaver who has fallen off a cliff.

Billi Productions, founded in Glasgow by husband and wife Sascha and Tessa Hartmann, had planned to make a 30-minute film, but a positive reception from test audiences encouraged them to turn it into an 80-minute feature.

The producers say the film will be shown at Sonoma International Film Festival in San Francisco next month.

TV presenter Gail Porter is the voice of Sir Billi’s daughter, single mother Lady Serena. Richard Briers, Miriam Margoyles, Ruby Wax and Ford Kiernan also appear in the cast.

They hope to emulate the success of Hollywood movies that have used computer-generated imagery, such as Shrek, Ice Age and Finding Nemo.