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2019 marked the 30th anniversary of Cinemagic and to celebrate the milestone, on June 27th 2019, the annual Cinemagic Gala at the MSD Capital, LLC and Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, Los Angeles took place, showcasing the work and talents of young filmmakers to an audience of top film and television professionals including Saffron Burrows (Mozart In The Jungle) and Ben Robson (Animal Kingdom). A week of festival events opened with a special Q&A masterclass from Irish Hollywood actor and Cinemagic patron, Colin Farell. School students from 18 educational institutions in Boston, LA and across Northern Ireland united to participate in talks, workshops, masterclasses and film screenings designed to motivate and inspire future filmmakers. Industry supporters included Sean Barney, Julia Ormond, Maryann Yee, Lance O’Connor, Kevin Huvane, Colin Farrell, Ross King, Ryan Rowe, Fox Studios, Sony, Warner Bros, Celebration at the British Consulate, CAA, HBO, Remote Control Studios, LMU
Cinemagic is an award-winning film festival charity, that has been educating and inspiring young people for the last three decades, embracing the magic of film, television, and the creative industries to educate, motivate and inspire young people through film screenings, industry workshops, practical masterclasses, filmmaking projects and outreach activities. Patrons include Colin Farrell, Pierce Brosnan, Liam Neeson Saoirse Ronan, Suranne Jones, Paula Malcomson and Julian Fellowes, and many others.
Young people from different backgrounds, with a mix of abilities, engage with Cinemagic by watching films, participating in workshops and masterclasses and making films. Annually they bring young people from Northern Ireland to Los Angeles to meet with the representatives from the world’s biggest film and television studios and in 2018, teenagers from Los Angeles participated in a filmmaking project in Northern Ireland working with young people from all backgrounds.
In the last twelve months Cinemagic has worked with The Northern Ireland Executive Office to produce a short film and a set of digital resources to tackle the problem of racism and worked with the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to produce a short film, a piece of original theatre and a suite of classroom education resources highlighting issues around citizenship and tackling the issue of anti-social behaviour and lawlessness as well as projects to address mental health and wellbeing and leadership.
The themes of the films Cinemagic produces are about accepting and understanding difference and encouraging tolerance and respect. It sends a powerful message to everyone from young people to educators. Cinemagic activities are cross-community focused and many of the themes of the films and post-film discussions and activities promote good relations. Cinemagic bring young people together in neutral environments and use cultural film as the vehicle to discuss a range of social issues and issues affecting young people from all walks of life.
In recognition of their 30th Anniversary and ongoing work, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visited Cinemagic in Northern Ireland earlier this year. As part of their Royal tour of organizations that are bringing a bright future to the next generation, the couple participated in workshops to see the full range of training Cinemagic has to offer and the impact it has on young people’s lives..
Over the last number of years, Cinemagic Los Angeles has celebrated the achievements of young people from Northern Ireland and USA by showcasing their work to celebrity guests including Jennifer Morrison, Ed Begley Jr, Ashley Roberts, Kristina Smirnoff, Ryan McCartan and Briana Evigan. Students have had the chance to perform on stage and guests have been treated to the incredible movies the innovative Cinemagic programmes had produced.
Cinemagic Los Angeles is supported by MSD and The Fairmont Hotel and Bungalows, HBO, CAA, NI Bureau, Harry Hartford, Friendly Sons of St Patrick, Britweek, Camera Division, American Ireland Funds, American Airlines, Mondrian Hotel, Boston Public High Schools.
Partners include Fox Music, The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, PAC TV, Minted Content, Brothers, Sony, Remote Control Studios and the British Consulate