LOS ANGELES, Jan. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Playboy Enterprises, Inc. (PEI) and BOMBAY SAPPHIRE announce Tampa's Andy Nguyen as the winner of the Playboy Shorts Series: BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Imaginative Filmmakers Spotlight, a nationwide contest which asked filmmakers (21+) from all backgrounds to create inventive, thought-provoking short films that ignite imagination and inspire self-expression among viewers. His winning film Boomerang - a thoughtful story about a man at war with himself for breaking up with a woman - will have the distinct honor of being screened at a Playboy/BOMBAY SAPPHIRE event during the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, which will be hosted by actor Anthony Mackie.

After having been unanimously revered by Talenthouse.com viewers, Nguyen was finally selected by a panel of experts in filmmaking as the inaugural winner of the Playboy Shorts Series: BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Imaginative Filmmakers Spotlight. The Tampa native and current Columbia University School of the Arts student beat out finalists from cities that included New York and Chicago.  In addition to the exclusive film screening, Nguyen will also receive a cash prize and the career-changing opportunity to be mentored by some of the film industry's top professionals.

The relationship between BOMBAY SAPPHIRE and Playboy Enterprises evolved from both brands sharing a longstanding support of the arts.

Long a patron of film and film preservation, Hugh Hefner has donated a significant amount of money and time to fostering cinematic expression, including the Hugh M. Hefner Chair for the Study of American Film at University of Southern California. In addition, Hefner personally founded a course in Censorship in Cinema at the University of Southern California, for which he serves as a guest lecturer.  He has also been a major contributor to UCLA's project to restore classic films.

BOMBAY SAPPHIRE Senior Brand Manager Richard McLeod adds, "BOMBAY SAPPHIRE gin has a long history of commitment to the arts and a well-established identity within the creative community.  It gives us such pleasure to be able to help provide a platform for new talent to gain the recognition that they deserve."

Over the past decade, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE has been honored to support aspiring filmmakers, designers and artists in unlocking their potential and sharing their imagination with the world. Last year BOMBAY SAPPHIRE expanded upon its nine-year presence at Art Basel Miami by initiating the Artisan Series program, a nationwide search to identify the finest undiscovered talent in the field of visual arts.

The Imaginative Filmmakers Spotlight Competition is not associated with, sponsored, endorsed or administered by The Sundance Institute or The Sundance Film Festival.

About Playboy Enterprises, Inc.
Playboy is one of the most recognized and popular consumer brands in the world. Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a media and lifestyle company that markets the brand through a wide range of media properties and licensing initiatives. The company publishes Playboy magazine in the United States and abroad and creates content for distribution via television networks, websites, mobile platforms and radio. Through licensing agreements, the Playboy brand appears on a wide range of consumer products in more than 150 countries as well as retail stores and entertainment venues.

About BOMBAY SAPPHIRE
BOMBAY SAPPHIRE® is the fastest growing premium gin in the world and world's number one premium gin by value.  BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is created with a unique combination of ten hand-selected botanicals, sourced from around the globe. The brand's global essence and signature vapor infusion process impart a refined and perfectly balanced taste, versatile enough for both classic cocktails and exotic recipes.  Infused with Imagination, BOMBAY SAPPHIRE is a symbol of the exploration of worldly and sophisticated lifestyles. For more information, please explore www.bombaysapphire.com.  

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About Talenthouse
Talenthouse, based in Palo Alto with offices in Los Angeles and London, is the leading platform for creative collaboration, providing life-changing opportunities for the creative community. Talenthouse embraces artists at every level of their career, as well as all supporters of the arts. Attracted by the potential for discovering, collaborating with and mentoring emerging talent many acclaimed industry icons and global brands partner with Talenthouse by hosting projects and initiatives known as "Creative Invites." Artists and brands choose Talenthouse to engage with their audience in a targeted, relevant and credible context.

To date, Talenthouse has launched more than 150 Creative Invites with global brands and entertainment icons such as Paul McCartney, Lady Gaga, Rod Stewart, Brett Ratner, Sequoia Capital, Queen, Kylie Minogue, Dolce & Gabbana, Paul Oakenfold, Nokia, Adidas, Florence + the Machine, Glamour Magazine, Island Def Jam, Maroon 5, Rihanna, Naomi Campbell, The Stan Lee Foundation, Todd McFarlane, Sander van Doorn, Rusko, Andy Moor, Kelly Cutrone, Ryan Leslie, Taio Cruz, Anne Klein, Gavin Bond and Prismacolor.