Filmmaker Jacob Hamilton Wins the 2015 Wyoming Short Film Contest

Cheyenne, WY - The Wyoming Film Office is proud to announce that "Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story," a short biopic that was directed, produced and edited by Jacob Hamilton, is the winner of this year's Wyoming Short Film Contest. Shot on location in Wyoming, the film is a short biopic of former University of Wyoming Basketball player, Kenny Sailors and his widely credited invention of the modern day jump shot. As Hamilton describes his film, “He invented something everyone loves, but you‘ve probably never heard of him, Hamilton said. “This film uncovers the largely unknown life of one of basketball’s greatest innovators: The legend you’ve never heard of, Kenny Sailors.”

In its eighth year, the Wyoming Short Film Contest awarded $25,000 to the filmmaker who will now have the opportunity to finish the production of the full length feature of this short film. Hamilton was ecstatic to be announced as this year’s winner and gave some insight on what the prize money will be used for. “It’s a great honor to receive this prize and support from the Wyoming film community,” he said.  “No words can properly express my gratitude. The big picture has always been to develop Jump Shot into a feature length documentary that dives further into the history of basketball and Kenny’s contributions both on and off the court. We’ll be utilizing the prize money to cover upcoming production costs for the remaining interviews we need to complete this film. Unlike the short, the feature documentary incorporates many different perspectives and personalities that help us shape the early years of basketball, uncover the origins of the jump shot and reveal the many lives Kenny influenced along the way.”

According to the Wyoming Film Office Film Production Senior Coordinator, Colin Stricklin, "'Jump Shot' has a lot of heart, and I'm looking forward to seeing the full-length version. Kenny Sailors is an authentic Wyoming original, and he deserves to have his story told. I'm just glad the Film Office could be a part of it,” he said.

Although Hamilton isn’t from Wyoming, filming his project in the state has left a lasting impression on him. “Everyone I’ve collaborated with in Wyoming has been so kind and welcoming to the art of film,” Hamilton said. “I’ve made many lifelong friends throughout the making of this film, which gives me plenty of excuses to come back and visit this beautiful state for leisure, but hopefully for more work someday.” 

 

"This contest is designed to support independent filmmakers, both in-state and out-of-state," Stricklin said. "After eight years, the contest continues to grow and get better each year and the Wyoming Film Office is very pleased with the results."

To keep up to date with the status of “Jump Shot: The Kenny Sailors Story,” visit www.jumpshotmovie.com or follow on social media: facebook.com/jumpshotmovie or twitter.com/JumpShotMovie.   

You can still watch all of this year's short film contest entries at www.wyomingshortfilmcontest.com 

###