Look forward to a programme of world cinema, film and television masterclasses, school workshops, Q&As, and young critics panels!
The annual Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People returns to Dublin from 10-20 May, jam-packed with 100 events and diverse creative opportunities to inspire and motivate young people.
Learn top tips from industry professionals, take part in workshops led by experts in their fields, be part of a production crew for a short film being produced during the festival and enjoy a myriad of movies.
The festival features guests from the world of film and television including Award Winning Actress and Cinemagic Patron Saoirse Ronan (Lady Bird, Brooklyn, Atonement); the new wave of Irish filmmakers is represented with Frank Berry (Michael Inside) and animation will be under the microscope with exciting events and screenings with award-winning studios Cartoon Saloon (The Breadwinner, Song of the Sea, The Secret of Kells) and Aardman Animations (Early Man, Wallace & Gromit, Shaun the Sheep).
TALKING PICTURES:
A series of film screenings and talks with filmmakers and film professionals offering advice and top tips for young people with an interest in a career in film or about to enter the film industry.
Screenings include Irish comedy/horror Grabbers plus Q&A with Producer David Collins, gritty revenge drama Bad Day for the Cut plus Q&A with writer/producer Brendan Mullin; Academy award nominated animation Loving Vincent plus Q&A with artists Séamus O’Labhradha and Sandra Hickey; coming of age drama Just Charlie plus Q&A with director Rebekah Fortune and Lady Bird plus Q&A with award winning actress and Cinemagic patron Saoirse Ronan.
MASTERCLASSES AND WORKSHOPS:
The festival offers opportunities to get hands-on and learn from experts in the film and television industry.
Aardman Animations will be visiting Dublin to produce x 3 exciting Model Making Workshops where young people will get the chance to make their very own Hognob (Early Man), Gromit (Wallace & Gromit) or Shaun the Sheep character.
Young creatives will learn how to devise and produce storyboards and tell innovative stories in ‘Storyboarding with Brown Bag Films’, this practical and hands-on workshop will be led by storyboard artist Damien O’Connor (Doc McStuffins, Noddy, Olivia the Pig and The Octonauts).
Learn how to develop your own characters, worlds and storylines in ‘Comic Book Making with Davy Francis’ (Holy Cross, Oink! and 200AD) and young illustrators and artists can learn top tips from illustrator and animator Corinna Askin (Castle Farm, Joe and Jack) in a fun and practical Illustration Masterclass.
DUBLIN SHORT FILM ACADEMY:
The festival is looking for young people aged 18-25 to be part of a production crew for a short film being produced during the festival in May.
The film will be made under the guidance of industry professionals, led by filmmaker Patrick Maxwell (Headline Films). Budding filmmakers will have the chance to develop their talents and earn their credit on the local production. There will also be an industry spotlight programme where guest speakers from different areas of the industry will visit the academy and take part in Q&A and masterclass sessions. Speakers will include – BAFTA winner and Oscar nominated director Michael Lennox (Boogaloo and Graham, Endeavour, Derry Girls); Siobhán Farrell Managing Director of Eclipse Pictures (My Name is Emily, Sanctuary, Condemned to Remember); Paddy McCarney Location Manager (Penance: Aithri, In America, Bloody Sunday) and Producer (Hostage to the Devil); Alison Crinion Communications Director Industry Trust for IP Awareness Ireland and Content Manager for LOVEMOVIES.IE; Liam Ryan Production Manager and Industry Short Film Programmer for the Dublin International Film Festival.
FAMILY FILMS:
The film programme taking place over the two weekends of the festival includes movies from around the world including gala previews, family favourites and new international features.
All screened at Cineworld Cinemas family movie titles include animations The Giant Pear a beautiful animated tale based on the picture book by Jacob Martin Strid; Capt’n Sharky a rip roaring adventure exploring themes of friendship, fairness, loyalty, tolerance and what it means to be a hero; Next Door Spy a new creative spin on the tales of Agatha Christie with young detective Agathe-Christine or AC taking on the detective duties; Kikoriki: Déjà Vu a time-travelling adventure for the whole family; Lila’s Book an adventure travelling through magical worlds where children explore and discover the true value of friendship, the power of fantasy, and how to stay in touch with your heritage and culture; Mission Kathmandu: The Adventures of Nelly & Simon is a new Canadian globetrotting adventure; Anchor’s Up: Boats to the Rescue follows young rescue boat Elias as he’s called to save a trawler in the midst of a huge storm; and x 6 brand new episodes from the stunning French animation series Ernest and Celestine – The Collection. Live action family dramas include Dutch comedy adventure Master Spy; Norwegian family drama Oskar’s America and the cinematic urban fairy tale Cléo & Paul.
TEEN MOVIES:
Teen movies focus on social and youth issues and feature French musical drama Orchestra Class; Italian coming of age adventure Girl in Flight that reflects the tender, frightening and exciting journey of a courageous young girl searching for her place in the world; the astonishing Big Fish & Begonia a Chinese animation a decade in the making; the Swiss/Belgian co-production Fortuna winner of the Crystal Bear and the Grand Prix awards at this year’s Berlinale; Serbian sci-fi mystery The Witch Hunters is a honest portrayal of struggle and acceptance, and how true friendship can lead to undiscovered inner strength; Cross My Heart is a vibrant story portraying the weaknesses and betrayals of adulthood as seen through the eyes of children; Heartstrings is a beautifully crafted and moving drama based on the book Le Coeur en Braille; Croatian adventure The Mystery of Green Hill pays homage in tone and style to classics such as Stand By Me and The Goonies; and the Thandie Newton produced documentary Liyana is a powerful film imbued with tenderness and courage.
FESTIVAL JURY:
Cinemagic’s world cinema programme inspires the next generation of cinema audiences to both enjoy and critique film and the festival is currently accepting young film critics for the CineSeekers Jury Programme which is a cross border initiative and suitable for young people aged 5-11 and the CineFocus Jury Programme, which is suitable for ages 12-18. The young film critics will have the chance to view youth focused films from around the world, take part in review workshops, make lots of new friends and choose the winning films of the festival!
EDUCATION PROGRAMME:
The festival presents a comprehensive film education programme which helps to inspire young people, stimulate discussion on social issues and to provide practical opportunities to learn new skills.
Students can find out about working in the world of film and television with insightful screenings, talks and Q&As. A documentary focus includes the powerful Condemned to Remember with a filmmaker Q&A with Gerry Gregg and Tomi Reichental; and a screening of Trainee Filmmakers Cinemagic’s own ‘Making-Of’ documentary that follows a group of Young Filmmakers as they work towards producing their very own feature film. A ‘New Irish Film’ strand includes a screening of drama Michael Inside with Director/Producer Q&A with Frank Berry and Donna Eperon; coming of age drama Kissing Candice plus Q&A with Director Aoife McArdle; and The Breadwinner with an schools audience Q&A with Cartoon Saloon. Practical workshops include a series of Special Effects Make-Up in Film Masterclasses and Film Classification will be studied and debated in a special event with IFCO and the BBFC where students will learn why classification can differ in different countries and regions.
Young film fans at primary and nursery level can immerse themselves in the festival experience with Preschool Short Film Programmes and ‘Animated Antics’ Film Review Competitions. Pupils will ‘Discover the World of Roald Dahl’ with a Giants, Witches, Peaches & Twists Interactive Show and will learn key creative skills in Special Effects Make-Up Masterclasses. Further fun activities include The Prehistoric Show with History Live; Music From the Movies; Drama for Kids – Jungle Capers; The Ugly Animal Roadshow; Myth’s, Legends and Folktales with Jack Lynch; Craft and Graft with Lovemovies.ie and the Industry Trust and a series of film screenings for pre-schoolers ‘My First Cinema Trip’ where nursery school groups will get the opportunity to visit the cinema together for the first time.
Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive said
“We are looking forward to our 2018 Cinemagic Dublin Film Festival in May. The programme is action packed with fantastic film and television events for children, families, teenagers, young filmmakers and school groups. With the support of our valued funders and partners including the Department of Education and Skills we are able to present an eclectic range of opportunities to educate, motivate and inspire young people under the age of 25.”
