This year marks the 30th anniversary of Cinemagic who over these years have engaged with almost 1 million young people through film, television and the creative industries. To celebrate the milestone, on June 27th 2019, the annual Cinemagic Gala at the Fairmont Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica, Los Angeles, is set to be the most high profile and well supported gala to date with Saffron Burrows of Mozart In The Jungle and Ben Robson of Animal Kingdom in attendance as ambassadors.
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..
Last year’s 2018 gala in Los Angeles, was a huge success that celebrated the achievements of young people from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles with celebrity guests including Jennifer Morrison, Ed Begley Jr, Ashley Roberts, Kristina Smirnoff, Ryan McCartan, Lady Victoria Hervey and Briana Evigan, to name but a few. The students from Los Angeles and Northern Ireland performed on stage and guests also got to watch the incredible movies the innovative Cinemagic program had produced. This year to mark the 30th Anniversary they have added additional Celebrity Ambassadors to their roster, and engaged in new partnerships, to help continue to spread the impact of their work. More names to be announced in the weeks leading up to the grand red carpet celebration on June 27th.
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, Aero Film, Brothers, Sony, Remote Control Studios and the British Consulate
Young people from 18 different schools in Northern Ireland, Boston and Los Angeles have been working together as part of Cinemagic Los Angeles with the opportunity to participate in educational Q&A’s, film screenings, workshops, masterclasses and many other special events. They have participated in Masterclasses with 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