Students from three Los Angeles Schools have joined forces with Cinemagic to host special film screenings as part of Cinemagic Film Festival’s education programme over the coming week.
Cinemagic aims to utilise film and the screen industries to ignite active and memorable learning and to offer invaluable opportunities to young people, so that they can voice opinions and take inspiration from stories about social issues and youth issues.
The award-winning Belfast based Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People has been delivering film festivals and programs in Los Angeles since 2010 and its ethos is underpinned by inspiring and motivating its participants via the screen industries.
Supported by European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA), Cinemagic will visit Hollywood High School, Wish Academy High School and Jordan High School, Watts with a collection of films recently produced by Cinemagic for in school screenings and question and answer sessions with the writer-director and producers.
Cinemagic Chief Executive, Joan Burney Keatings MBE said “With thanks to European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA), Pascal Ladreyt and the brilliant partner schools we are able to engage with groups of students and help to inspire and motivate through powerful short films, to help stimulate debate and discussion. The school screenings mark the beginning of Cinemagic’s 2025 program in LA with a weeklong event taking place in June, visiting film studios and learning from creative industry professionals uniting teenagers from Northern Ireland, Ireland and Los Angeles.”
Pascal Ladreyt, European Languages and Movies in America (ELMA) commented “We are delighted to be working with Cinemagic for this project, having celebrated their great work since their first events in LA in 2010. This series of screenings will increase the access to film and film culture for many teenagers, as well as giving them an insight to filmmaking and pathways to follow in the screen industries.”
Alice Nezu, Magnet Coordinator, Hollywood High School said “Hollywood High New Media Academy is excited to partner with Cinemagic as a screening site for a series of short documentary films. Our 11th grade students complete a documentary film project as part of their interdisciplinary project portfolio and this will provide an opportunity for our students to meet with an international filmmaker and ask questions about the filmmaking process as well as marketing and submitting projects to film festivals.”
Scott Whitney, Jordan High School said “Jordan High School and its VAPA Magnet are looking forward to participating in Cinemagic’s screening in hopes to get more understanding about the film process and to be exposed to other works. Many students are interested in pursuing film careers, and are currently taking film classes at the school, so the partnership can only benefit them and their growth.”
Kellie Mowll, Wish Academy High School added “WISH is incredibly proud to have our students participate in Cinemagic’s International Film Festival for Young People, and we will continue to partner for as long as we can. Our students love the festival’s power to educate, motivate, and inspire, opening doors to incredible opportunities in the world of film and media. From film screenings to choreography workshops, director panels, and so much more, Cinemagic has provided truly unforgettable experiences. Working with Joan Burney Keatings has been an absolute pleasure, and WISH is thrilled to be partnered with Cinemagic to make great things happen!”
ENDS//
Press Officer Cinemagic, Claire Shaw, claire@cinemagic.org.uk
Notes to Editors
Film Screenings:
An Olive Branch: Refugee Crisis
This film is a co-production between Jordan, the UK, and Ireland. In Amman, a Syrian refugee family faces hardship when the father falls ill. Eighteen-year-old Amal embarks on a desperate search for work, navigating the harsh realities of survival, hope, and resilience amidst an uncertain future.
Message Sent: Consent and Online Safety
Highlighting the importance of consent and online safety, this film seeks to spread awareness surrounding the dangers of today’s digital age.
Heaven on Earth: Climate Change and Environmental Racism
Under the Influence: Online Safety and Child Abuse
Witness what happens when a young influencer is forced to come face-to-face with her ‘number one fan’ in less than savoury circumstances.
Abia: Gender-Based Violence
Abia (18) and her husband Tareq (40) are Syrian refugees, living in Jordan. Abia desperately searches for salvation from the oppression of the arranged and abusive marriage
