Over the last 3 years Cinemagic has developed projects in Jordan in the Middle East. Our first project in 2022 produced Abia, a film in partnership with Jordanian NGO Generations for Peace. Supported by the Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and the Ireland Embassy in Jordan, the film was screened in New York, during the UN’s observance of International Women’s Day 2023 and Cinemagic was awarded a Certificate of Appreciation on behalf of the City of LA at the Consulate General of Mexico for raising the profile of gender-based violence through the film.
We also received Certificates of Recognition from California State Senate Senator Steven Bradford to celebrate Abia and the organisation’s ability to motivate young people through film and the arts and commended our achievements in creating opportunities through festivals, film production, training, and outreach programmes. Our 2024 film delivered through the same partners in Jordan ‘An Olive Branch’ is currently in post-production.
Discussing the production of ‘An Olive Branch’, Cinemagic CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE said,
“With thanks to Generations For Peace, with the support of the Irish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Ireland in Jordan, we are delighted to embark on another ground-breaking filmmaking initiative with young people in Jordan, including Syrian refugees. After the resounding success of last year’s programme and the production of Abia, we are looking forward to working with another incredible team of talent.
At the core of Cinemagic is the ethos to educate, motivate, and inspire young people from all backgrounds, and this project does just that, as well as giving young people ownership of a creative project and one that profiles issues that important to them.”
