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Jameson First Shot Winners Receive a Skype Call from Kevin Spacey

by Alex Billington
March 13, 2013

Who wouldn't want a Skype call from Kevin Spacey? The top three winners of the second year of Jameson First Shot international short film competition supported by Jameson Irish Whiskey, Kevin Spacey and Trigger Street Productions, have been announced today. This is the second year we've featured info on this contest, which puts budding filmmakers in touch with talent like Spacey and producer Dana Brunetti, and gives them a chance to break out by producing their short in full. This year they chose three winners, one from the US, one from Russia, and one from South Africa, who are traveling to LA to begin production soon.

The Jameson First Shot contest begins with submitting a screenplay. Having reviewed the hundreds of scripts entered this year, Kevin Spacey and Trigger Street produced a shortlist of 20 to progress to the rigorous second stage of judging. Once the shortlisted contestants showcased their creativity and directing skills, the winning three were chosen and notified via a personal Skype call from the competition’s Creative Director, Kevin Spacey, President of Trigger Street Productions, Dana Brunetti and Jameson First Shot Producer, Carter Swan. Here is the video they put together showing the three exciting calls and winners:

Pretty cool, eh? Kevin Spacey, Creative Director of Jameson First Shot said of the entries: "After last year's three outstanding winners, expectations were naturally very high for the second year. The entries for Jameson First Shot 2013 were of an exceptional standard and I have no doubt that the three winners we have chosen will each make an incredible and unique short film. I'm sure Willem Dafoe is going to enjoy the three roles immensely and we are all looking forward to getting production started in LA." The winners are:

Hanneke Schutte from South Africa with Ping Pong with Mr. Yong - story of a hypochondriac ex ping pong player who never got over missing a major tournament final because of a cold. Anton Lanshakov from Russia with The Smile-Man - about a gentleman dealing with the consequences of a car accident, which left him with a spinal injury that means he has a permanent smile on his face. Shirlyn Wong from the US with Love's Routine - a dark comedy about a discordant elderly couple, who ultimately prove that love is greater than flesh and blood. These three fought off competition from hundreds of other talented screenwriters and directors. They will now fly out to LA in the next two weeks to begin production, as well as directing two-time Academy Award nominee, Willem Dafoe, in their short. Congratulations to all of them!

This is always a fun contest to follow, one of many based in Hollywood that offer exciting opportunities for up-and-coming filmmakers. We expect the Jameson First Shot content to restart again later this year, but in the meantime, we'll have to see how these three shorts turn out. I want to watch Ping Pong with Mr. Yong.

Find more posts: Contests, Movie News

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