Jameson® Announces Winners Of Jameson First Shot 2015

NEW YORK, April 14, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Jameson® has announced the three winners of the 2015 Jameson First Shot competition, an international short film competition that gives aspiring writers and directors their 'First Shot' in the film industry.  The three talented victors are preparing to fly to Los Angeles where they will bring their short film scripts to life with the expert help of Academy Award Winner Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti, President of Trigger Street Productions.

The three winners are from across the globe—Travis Calvert from the United States, Mark Middlewick from South Africa, and Stephan Tempier from Canada. Following in the footsteps of Kevin Spacey, Willem Dafoe and Uma Thurman, this year the winners will be directing Academy Award winner, Adrien Brody as the lead in their films, all with the backing and expertise of award-winning production company, Trigger Street Productions.

"Jameson First Shot affords talented writers/directors an important gift: the confidence to exercise fearlessness and the opportunity to materialize their dreams," said Brody.

Trigger Street Productions led a rigorous judging process of 1,750 contestants' short scenes and directors' treatment before selecting the winners. As in previous years, the competition's Creative Director and Producer, Spacey and Brunetti, surprised Calvert, Middlewick and Tempier with Skype calls to deliver the good news. Their reactions can be viewed here.

"If you've been successful at the career you wanted to have, it's your obligation to spend a good proportion of your time sending the elevator back down. It's not about where someone is in terms of their talent or accomplishments when they begin, it's about they might get in 10 years if they are encouraged, nurtured and guided," said Spacey. "Where this can go, the possibilities are endless," added Brunetti.

For more information on the competition, please visit www.jamesonfirstshot.com or go to youtube.com/jamesonwhiskey to follow our 2015 winners' journeys in the competition and to watch last year's winning films.

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About Pernod Ricard USA®
Pernod Ricard USA is the premium spirits and wine company in the U.S., and the largest subsidiary of Paris, France-based Pernod Ricard SA, which employs a workforce of nearly 19,000 people worldwide and is listed on the NYSE Euronext exchange (Ticker: RI).

The company's leading spirits and wines include such prestigious brands as Absolut® Vodka, Chivas Regal® Scotch Whisky, The Glenlivet® Single Malt Scotch Whisky, Jameson® Irish Whiskey, Malibu®, Kahlúa® Liqueur, Beefeater® Gin, Plymouth™ Gin, Seagram's Extra Dry Gin®, Martell® Cognac, Hiram Walker® Liqueurs, Pernod®, Ricard® and Avión™ Tequila; such superior wines as Jacob's Creek®, Kenwood® Vineyards and Brancott Estate®; and such exquisite champagnes and sparkling wines as Perrier-Jouët® Champagne, G.H. Mumm™ Champagne and Mumm Napa® sparkling wines.

Pernod Ricard USA is based in New York, New York, and has roughly 850 employees across the country. Pernod Ricard USA urges all adults to consume its products responsibly and has an active campaign to promote responsible drinking. For more information on this, please visit: www.acceptresponsibility.org

About Jameson First Shot
Now in its fourth successive year, Jameson First Shot has received plaudits the world over as the international short film competition that gives the biggest breaks to talented writer/directors from South Africa, Russia and the US looking for their 'First Shot' in the film industry. Two-time Academy Award winner, Kevin Spacey and Academy Award nominee, Willem Dafoe have previously starred in the winning films, which have amassed more than 12 million views on YouTube between them.

The three 2015 winners will now be flown out to Hollywood, where they will work directly with Trigger Street Productions on everything from casting to approving wardrobe and locations during pre-production. Moving into principle photography, each winner will be on set to direct Uma Thurman in the lead role in their film, before ending their experience by working with a composer on the score and signing off the final edit, gaining a priceless education along the way.

Once production is complete, the shorts will receive a special screening and then be released to a global audience of millions on YouTube. You can watch the story of the competition here, or go to www.jamesonfirstshot.com for more information. 

SOURCE Pernod Ricard USA