Jameson Irish Whiskey is proud to announce the three winners of Trigger Street Presents Jameson First Shot, a new international short film competition designed to uncover up-and-coming film talent from South Africa, Russia and the USA. Alan Shelley from South Africa and the respective winners from USA and Russia all triumphed, beating over 700 budding screenwriters and directors from across the three countries.

Trigger Street, with their judging panel of industry experts, produced a shortlist of 20 entries. After completing a rigorous second stage selection process to showcase their creativity and directing skills, the winning three were chosen. The South African winner is 26-year-old Alan Shelley from Cape Town, who majored in directing and as a student won several awards for his films. He has worked as a writer, director, editor and vfx supervisor on a locally produced independent mini-series. His winning script, Spirit of a Denture, tells the story of a workaholic dentist who gets a visit from a disruptive pirate.

Each winner will now fly to LA to shoot their script and direct Kevin Spacey, all with the backing of his award-winning Production Company, Trigger Street Productions.

Kevin Spacey commented:

We were impressed with the caliber of many of the entries, but the three winners stood out; they listened to the advice we gave and as a result delivered some well-constructed, clever stories that grabbed our interest. It’s great to be able to discover this level of talent and we’re really excited to see what they will each bring to the shoot.

No film is complete without a closing party to celebrate, so once the films are ‘in the can’, there will be a premiere in each of the winners’ home cities with Kevin Spacey and the winner attending as guests of honour.

Kevin Spacey & Dana Brunetti, President of Trigger Street Productions

Seth Pereira, Brand Manager for Jameson South Africa commented: ‘A total of 276 scripts were entered by passionate scriptwriters and directors in South Africa. The expert panel in Trigger Street including President Dana Brunetti (Producer of the Oscar Winning film The Social Network 21) had a great task in whittling the scripts down to a strong short-list. Our South African short-list then had to submit additional work to demonstrate their creativity and directing skills.

Alan Shelley from Cape Town was then chosen as the ultimate South African winner from this short-list by Kevin Spacey and Dana Brunetti. We have no doubt that this will be Alan’s launch pad to furthering his career in the film industry not only here in South Africa, but hopefully abroad too. We look forward to showcasing his film at the premier in Johannesburg and hosting him and Kevin Spacey as our distinguished guests.’

Alan Shelley, the South African Winner

I would firstly like to thank everyone at Trigger Street and Jameson, I feel honored that my script and I were chosen, it is a great privilege. My first reaction was shock and then denial. I couldn’t quite believe it. Competitions are for other people to win; not yourself. I’m still trying to get used to the idea. I’m most excited about meeting new people, people I can learn from. I can’t wait to see America and of course meet Mr. Spacey. (Alan Shelley, the South African Winner)

Howard Southern, International Marketing Director, Jameson Irish Whiskey concluded: ‘We were delighted with the level of participation to the competition. To be able to give up-and-coming screenwriters and directors a shot at their big break, as well as giving them the chance to work with a Hollywood legend like Kevin Spacey is a fantastic opportunity. It serves to show Jameson’s commitment to film and our support for new talent in the industry. We are really looking forward to rolling out the ‘green carpet’ in Moscow, Johannesburg and New York for the premieres in the coming months.’

For more information on the competition please click HERE.

Shootout to all the Filmmakers! Looking for your big break? Prestigious Liquor brand Jameson Irish Whiskey partnered with Kevin Spacey and his production company, Trigger street Productions ( The social network and 21) to discover up- and-coming talent from America, Russia and South Africa.

In the search for fresh, fearless film makers, Jameson invite you to take center stage and enter a short film competition with a once-in-a-lifetime prize like no other; one winner from each country will have their script made into a short film by Trigger Street Productions, starring Kevin Spacey.

To enter the competition you first have to subscribe yourself as a member and submit a script up to five pages, inspired by the theme of a legendary, humorous or a very tall tale. The closing date for entries is Dec 31st 2011, you can upload and make changes to your script as many times as you like before the closing date.

Trigger Street Productions will review all scripts and select a shortlist to go through to the next round by January 31st 2012. If you are shortlisted (lucky you!), you will be asked to choose one of three scenes written by Trigger Street and shoot one minute of footage based on, or following on from this scene. You will then have seven (7) working days to upload it in the member’s area. One finalist from each country will be chosen; three in total. The three winners will be notified by February 29th 2012.

If you believe you have the talent but have yet to get your big break, Jameson First Shot is the competition you’ve been waiting for.

Kevin Spacey:

‘I would not have had the opportunities I had if it weren’t for the people that had taken me under the wings and gave me chances when I was starting out. I always wanted to be able to find myself in the position where I can do the same for others’.

Visit their website HERE to read the rules, get some tips and subscribe yourself to the competition.  Good luck!