AN ABERGAVENNY actor has been thrust into worldwide limelight after a film that he’s starred in was nominated for an Oscar.

Simon Griffiths, 48, played a prison guard in The Voorman Problem, alongside stars Martin Freeman and Tom Hollander.

The 13-minute piece sees a psychiatrist called into a prison to examine an inmate named Voorman that believes he created the world nine days ago. But it needs to be established whether he is insane or faking it.

The short film was put forward for a Bafta last year but was unsuccessful, but has now been nominated for Best Live Action Short and is the only British film in contention.

“It’s absolutely fantastic to be nominated,” said Mr Griffiths. “I thought it was a wind up when I found out but I knew there was something special about the film.

“It was named best film at the St Louis International Film Festival which puts it on a long list of films possible for an Oscar nomination.

“To then make it to the top 10 and be nominated is great as there are thousands of short films like this made every year.

“It’s exciting and hopefully it helps me to break down some doors in the future for other roles. It’s what I make of it moving forward.”

Mr Griffiths will be watching from his Abergavenny home with the rest of the world on Sunday, March 2 when the winner is announced.

And he is confident that the film has what it takes to pick up the prestigious award.

“I’ve not seen any of the other films nominated but I believe ours is the only one which is English speaking,” he added. “The chairman of the Palm Springs Film Festival in America said that he believes our film is the favourite which is great.

“I’ll be watching it live and I’m pretty sure I’ll be glued to my television watching and waiting. It’s really exciting.”

The film will compete against Aquel No Era Yo (That Wasn't Me), Avant Que De Tout Perdre (Just Before Losing Everything), Helium and Pitääkö Mun Kaikki Hoitaa? (Do I Have to Take Care of Everything?).