Young creatives aged 12-25 are being sought for the Cinemagic and Future Screens NI Filmmaking initiative ‘HOME’, which will take place online from July-October 2020. In light of the Covid-19 Pandemic, Cinemagic wishes to give a platform to young people to share their experiences of life spent at home during lockdown. The initiative will be delivered in three phases including learning about the discipline of filmmaking from industry professionals, practical filmmaking, and film exhibition as part of the Cinemagic Online Film Festival in October. The opportunity will equip young people with insight and knowledge about the world of film and filmmaking and it will enable participants to take what they have learned and put their skills and talent into practice, culminating in a celebratory event to mark their achievements.
Cinemagic CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE commented “We can’t wait to get started on the ‘HOME’ filmmaking project in partnership with Future Screens NI. The partnership will enable Cinemagic to inspire and educate young people through the vehicle of filmmaking.
We will offer special training and skills development to a group of young creatives to ignite ideas and help them turn their ideas into short films on their interpretation of the theme of ‘Home’. The theme has been chosen as the population has spent more time in their homes over the last three months because of the Covid-19 Pandemic and we want to provide an outlet to tell young people’s stories and share their individual experiences through moving image. These original productions will be screened in-competition and celebrated at this year’s Belfast Cinemagic Film Festival in the autumn and showcased at Cinemagic festival events in 2021.”
Director Future Screens NI, Professor Paul Moore added “The importance of the work which Cinemagic does for young people and the film industry is well known and recognised. This creative and skills-based work becomes even more important in a time where the digital industries can play a major role in rethinking how young people can be enabled to learn and develop talents which will facilitate entry into the moving image professions. It is a privilege to be able to support this work and partner with Cinemagic and the young people who will be involved in the “Home’ project. I am convinced it will bring a new level of meaning to the term ‘working from home’ and cannot wait to see the imaginings which emerges.”
To sign up for the project, which is free of charge, 12-25yr olds from Northern Ireland are asked to submit an online registration form to info@cinemagic.org.uk by 5pm on 18 July 2020.
Further details will be provided after registration. To note, participants will require
-Access to a computer or mobile phone to take part in zoom video calls/webinars
-A device in which you can film with (iPhone /smart phone/ small DSLR.)
-Access to a computer with editing facilities. Some free options are Lightworks (Windows + Mac) / iMovie (Mac only). https://www.digitaltrends.com/computing/best-free-video-editing-software/
18th July | Deadline to Apply
20th July | Successful applicants notified
PHASE 1
27th July | Introductory Masterclass
30th July | Industry Production Masterclass 1
3rd August | Industry Production Masterclass 2
6th August | Industry Production Masterclass 3
There will be specific production masterclasses for 12-17 yr olds and 18-25 yr olds and parent/guardian permission is required for under 18s. Phase 1 will run from 27th July to 6th August.
Times to be confirmed and dates subject to change.
PHASE 2
6th August | Cinemagic set the brief for the practical filmmaking
18th September | Deadline for films to be submitted
PHASE 3
October | online film festival, feedback and awards ceremony.
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Press Information: Claire Shaw, Cinemagic Press Officer, claire@cinemagic.org.uk
Notes to Editors
About Cinemagic
Based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cinemagic is an award-winning, charitable film festival for young people that has, over the last 30 years, inspired and motivated young people through film and creative opportunities. Cinemagic annually delivers activity in Belfast, Dublin, UK and USA. In the last 5 years Cinemagic has produced two feature films, A Christmas Star and Grace and Goliath, and has produced over 100 short films. Patrons include Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Saoirse Ronan, Julian Fellowes, Colin Farrell, Dermot O’Leary, Suranne Jones, Saoirse Monica-Jackson, Hayley Mills, David Puttnam. For 30 years the organisation has led the way in using film exhibition and production as a vehicle to inspire and engage young people and it has provided a vital outlet for independent cinema showcasing and promoting a film programme that offers a unique window to the world. The sustained quality and considered nature of the festival’s cultural programming and the calibre of industry events, guests and film showcases marks Cinemagic out as the premier youth arts organisation in Northern Ireland which also fervently supports and nurtures young filmmaking talent.Through innovative programmes of exciting masterclasses, workshops, screenings, film education, filmmaking and unique insights to the industry that have led the way in engaging young people with film, the Cinemagic Festival strives to inspire and motivate a new generation of filmmakers and young creatives.
About Future Screens NI
Future Screens NI comprises the two higher education institutions (Ulster University and QUB) and a number of key industrial partners central to the creative economy in the region, including NI Screen, BBC, Belfast City Council, Belfast Harbour, Causeway Enterprise Agency, Digital Catapult, Catalyst Inc., RTE, Games NI, Kainos, Invest NI, Techstart NI, Matrix and Tourism NI. The Partnership has, from this, developed a definition of, and a working model for, the creative industries in NI which is focused on participation, cultural and economic growth, and social and economic regeneration placing the Partnership as a leading developmental
