Shirlyn Wong’s short film, LOVE’S ROUTINE, starring iconic Hollywood actor, Willem Dafoe has been released on YouTube.com/JamesonWhiskey
Last Night, Jameson Irish Whiskey, two-time Academy Award-winning actor, Kevin Spacey, Academy Award-nominee, Willem Dafoe and Oscar-nominated Producer, Dana Brunetti showed their support for one of the United States’ most promising new film talents at the global Jameson First Shot premiere of Shirlyn Wong’s winning short film LOVE’S ROUTINE, screened as part of the Northside Festival in Brooklyn, NY.
Shirlyn Wong, an M.F.A. graduate film candidate from New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts Asia triumphed in the second year of the Jameson First Shot competition, beating off hundreds of other entries to be named one of just three winners worldwide. During her film school career she has won awards from Singapore Short Film Awards and First Run Film Festival. Her script, LOVE’S ROUTINE is a dark comedy about a discordant elderly couple, who ultimately prove that love is greater than flesh and blood.
Creative Director of the competition and star of last year’s winning films, Kevin Spacey commented: “It was a risk for Willem to agree to star in three films before we even had any scripts, but I think his gamble has paid off. We have given another three people the opportunity of a lifetime and produced another three incredible films as a result of the Jameson First Shot competition. Last year was an unforgettable experience for me and being on board as Creative Director this year has allowed me to still be a part of the truly unique opportunity we’re offering to these filmmakers of the future. I’m looking forward to seeing the public reaction when we release the films on Jameson’s YouTube channel and also to the third year of the competition when we’ll have another incredible A-list star for our young, talented filmmakers to direct.”
The premiere, held at The Wythe Hotel in Williamsburg was attended by over 120 guests, and saw Joe Neumaier presiding over the evening’s events as host and MC. Guests of honor including the competition’s Creative Director and Hollywood legend, Kevin Spacey, star of this year’s short films, Willem Dafoe and Academy Award nominee, Golden Globe Winner and President of Trigger Street Productions, Dana Brunetti.
Wong said: “Working with such an experienced actor was intimidating at first; he’s worked with some of the best directors in the world and has so many films under his belt. However, after working with Willem in rehearsals to overseeing the wardrobe fittings and ultimately being with him on set, I realized he actually has this huge sense of humor and he gave me feedback every step of the way. When I first entered Jameson First Shot my view was very much that the film was the most important element, but now I think it’s completely the opposite; it’s the experience that you’re given, the opportunity that you get that is what’s really special about this competition.”
LOVE’S ROUTINE is available to watch on the Jameson YouTube Channel: http://youtu.be/XsSBWumbnwQ
This year’s South African winner, Hanneke Schutte had the premiere of her short SAVING NORMAN at Shine Studios in Johannesburg on 25th May. The premiere of the Russian Anton Lanshakov’s winning entry, THE SMILE MAN took place on 15th June at Strelka Institute, Moscow.
Any talented writer/directors who think they have what it takes to be next year’s US winner are encouraged to register their interest now at jamesonfirstshot.com to get all the updates on next year’s competition.
