Jameson First Shot Film Competition Launches in Style in Kenya

Kenya’s film industry has just gotten a boost all courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Award winning actor Kevin Spacey and Trigger Street Productions are looking for the next big Kenyan filmmaker under the Jameson First Shot film outfit that’s making its debut in Kenya, courtesy of Jameson Irish Whiskey. Jameson First Shot is about finding the globe’s most gifted, undiscovered filmmakers and giving them a platform to tell their compelling stories.

Together they are on the hunt for three talented winners who will have the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn their scripts into short films, which will star Academy Award-nominated actress Maggie Gyllenhaal. The films will premier in Los Angeles (LA), with the acclaimed cast and crew in attendance.

The Irish whiskey brand is the world’s No 1 selling Irish whiskey. 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.

Having played a part in film since 1998, today Jameson is involved with film festivals and events that celebrate the passion and craft of filmmaking including Jameson Cult Film Club, Done in 60 Seconds, the Jameson Empire Awards and Independent Spirit Awards, to name but a few. Jameson First Shot supports aspiring filmmakers and gives them their ‘first shot’ in the film industry by giving them the chance to direct an A-list star in their short film.

Jameson First Shot is all about giving something back to a community of film craftsmen, encouraging and supporting up-and-coming film talent.

Renee Kamau, Jameson Brand Manager said, “Kenya has immense untapped filmmaking talent. The competition has been introduced this year to give these filmmakers a break – a first shot at the industry. It asks aspiring filmmakers to be fearless; to write about what matters to them, tell the stories that they want to tell and, ultimately, make the film they want to make. It’s looking for undiscovered filmmakers with big ideas and an insatiable desire to create”.

Chris Foot, Chairman of the Kenya Film Commission, mentioned that this was a great initiative that the industry has been looking forward to. He urged all film makers to ensure that they participated and that even though they do not win the competition, the platform is a great and challenging one to showcase their work.

So what does Maggie look for in a script? The actor recommends taking a new angle: “An observation that we haven’t seen, that’s real that people relate to, that’s complicated – as we all are.” To aspiring filmmakers thinking of entering, Maggie recommends “putting a little bit of your actual self into what you’re doing - good art takes vulnerability.”

The competition is open to entries on 22nd of October and the rules, including length and theme, can be found at http://www.jamesonfirstshot.com/.