Kevin Spacey attends premiere in NYC to support local filmmaker talent

NEW YORK, June 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Two-time Academy Award-winning actor, Kevin Spacey tonight attended a spectacular event at Highline Stages in New York City for the premiere of The Ventriloquist, the winning US film from the Trigger Street Productions Presents Jameson First Shot™ competition.

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The Ventriloquist is available to watch now on youtube.com/jamesonwhiskey

Local filmmaker Benjamin Leavitt, an NYU graduate, beat off competition from over 700 other entries with his captivating script to be named one of just three winners worldwide. Leavitt then received the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to fly to Los Angeles to shoot his winning short film, directing Kevin Spacey in the leading role, all with the backing of production company, Trigger Street Productions. His poignant short entitled The Ventriloquist tells the story of an introverted ventriloquist who tries to match wits with his outspoken marionette.

Leavitt said of the evening: "It's quite overwhelming to attend your own premiere and I couldn't be more thrilled with the finished film. I hope everyone enjoys watching it as much as we enjoyed making it – the 2 days of filming were an incredible learning experience for me. The support and encouragement shown by Trigger Street and Kevin Spacey has been nothing short of amazing and I am so thankful to have been given this amazing opportunity."

The premiere, held in the heart of the Meatpacking district at Highline Stages, a landmarked historic building, was attended by over 200 guests, which saw Co-President of Film Independent, Sean McManus, presiding over the evening's events as host and MC.

Guests of honour including Hollywood legend, Kevin Spacey, President of Trigger Street Productions and award-winning producer, Dana Brunetti and local winner, Benjamin Leavitt all graced the red carpet.

The Ventriloquist is available to watch now on youtube.com/jamesonwhiskey.

Any budding directors who think they have what it takes to be the next winner from the USA can register their interest now at jamesonfirstshot.com to make sure they get all the updates on next year's competition.

For more information on the competition, as well as behind-the-scenes images and additional on-set content please visit www.jamesonfirstshot.com/press.

Taste Responsibly.

JAMESON® Irish Whiskey. 40% Alc./Vol. (80 Proof). Product of Ireland. ©2012 Imported by John Jameson Import Company, Purchase, NY

Notes to Editors

Jameson Irish Whiskey is the world's No. 1 selling Irish whiskey and is amongst the elite of the fastest growing international spirit brands in the world. The success of the Irish brand is down to its great quality and smooth taste, coupled with a fantastic heritage, established in 1780 by the legendary John Jameson. It has all the quality credentials to allow it be consumed straight, but is versatile and is equally great when mixed.

KEVIN SPACEY

Kevin Spacey is one of the most acclaimed actors of our time. He has won two Academy Awards and a Tony, plus two National Board of Review Awards, a Critics Circle, Evening Standard, Olivier and a BAFTA. His two SAG Awards reflect his standing among his peers. Kevin has been nominated for six Golden Globes, two Emmys and a Grammy. He has produced and directed for both the stage and screen. He has also pioneered new content and distribution models with the creation of TriggerStreet.com as an online community for unrepresented screenwriters and short film directors. The site immediately took off with thousands of online users uploading their work, reviewing work created by their peers, and participating in online competitions and short film festivals. Kevin is also the Artistic Director of The Old Vic Theatre, London, and will continue in this role up to 2015. Current projects include House of Cards, a new 26-episode political thriller in which Kevin Spacey will star as part of a new slate of original programming for Netflix, as well as plans to Exec Produce new E! drama Upstarts, set in Silicon Valley's digital gold rush of the 1990s alongside fellow Exec Producers Michael Deluca and Dana Brunetti.

DANA BRUNETTI

Feature film and TV producer, Dana Brunetti is Kevin Spacey's long-time business partner and President of Trigger Street Productions. His film credits include 21, Fanboys, Bernard and Doris and Casino Jack. Recently, Dana produced The Social Network, which received numerous awards including eight Academy Award nominations. Dana was nominated twice and won a Golden Globe for The Social Network, as well as many others including the National Board of Review and The Critics Choice Award. Dana also produced the multi-Emmy nominated film Bernard and Doris. Architect of several ground-breaking deals, Dana set up the eight year Anheuser Busch sponsorship of TriggerStreet.com, AB's longest sponsor outside of sports. Recently, Dana helped secure a mega-deal with Netflix as part of their new slate of original programming for TV political thriller House of Cards, which continues the collaboration of Kevin Spacey and Social Network director, David Fincher. Dana's current projects include the new Tom Hanks flick, Captain Philips which chronicles the life of Captain Richard Phillips and his crew's encounter with Somali pirates, which he is producing. Additionally Dana has signed a new deal with E! to Exec Produce Upstarts, a drama set in Silicon Valley's digital gold rush of the 1990s alongside fellow Exec Producers Kevin Spacey and Michael Deluca.

TRIGGER STREET PRODUCTIONS

Trigger Street Productions is an entertainment production company formed by Kevin Spacey and his producing partner Dana Brunetti in 1997. Trigger Street's credits include Golden-Globe winning The Social Network and the Emmy-nominated Bernard and Doris, as well as numerous other film productions including 21, Shrink, Fanboys and The Big Kahuna. TriggerStreet.com was launched in 2002 as an online community for unrepresented filmmakers, writers, readers, and film aficionados, which provides a platform for undiscovered talent to showcase their work and gain valuable exposure. Current projects include House of Cards which will join Netflix's burgeoning slate of original programming as well as a new deal with E! to produce Upstarts, a drama set in Silicon Valley's digital gold rush of the 1990s which Kevin Spacey, Dana Brunetti and Michael Deluca will Exec Produce.

SOURCE Jameson Irish Whiskey