  The screening currents induced in a superconducting film by a magnetic
annulus whose magnetization is perpendicular to the superconductor are
calculated. We show that close to the superconductor transition temperature
$T_c$ particular values of the magnetization and radii of the annulus make the
creation of superconducting vortices energy favorable. We also show that the
magnetic annulus offers an alternative tool for vortex pinning in the
superconductor. Statistical mechanical properties of this system are discussed.
