COCA-COLA CINEMAGIC FILM AND TELEVISION FESTIVAL RETURNS TO THE SILVER SCREEN, 19TH- 29TH NOVEMBER!

Film fans and budding filmmakers can look forward to a fantastic feast of films in November (19th-29th) as the Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People launches its highly anticipated festival programme for  12-25 year olds.

The programme launch was marked with a special Q&A in Odyssey Cinemas with actor, James Nesbitt, who stars in Peter Jackson’s much anticipated December release The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The Northern Irish actor took questions from film and media students as he gave an insight to his varied career in the film and television industry.

The Q&A was a taster of what the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival, funded by Northern Ireland Screen supported by DCAL, will entail, with film previews from around the world, including gala opening ‘Pitch Perfect’ (Universal Pictures), ‘Rise of The Guardians’ (DreamWorks Animation), ‘What Richard Did’ documentaries, classic cinema, short films, a retrospective on the Coen Brothers, Director Q&A’s and education workshops. Returning for the seventh consecutive year is film critic and broadcaster, Mark Kermode, who will treat audiences to his views on the year’s film releases before a screening of his festival pick, Jeremy! The  Cinemagic Gala Awards, in Belfast City Hall, on 29th November will celebrate the winning films of the festival and the achievements of young filmmakers.

Throughout the Cinemagic Festival young people can participate in industry events including the Talent Lab masterclasses, featuring screen writer Moira Buffini (Jayne Eyre, Byzantium), actor Larry Lamb (Eastenders, Gavin and Stacey), casting agents John and Ros Hubbard (The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings), Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy, Room at the Top), costume designer Michael O’Connor (The Duchess The Last King of Scotland), director Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire), production designer Tom McCullough (The Fall, Hunger) and production managers Terry Bamber (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Quantum of Solace ) and David Cain (The Phantom of the Opera, Hannibal Rising).

Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Cinemagic Chief Executive said “With support from our funders and title sponsor Coca-Cola we are delighted to present our Festival for 12-25 year olds in venues acrossBelfastand throughoutNorthern Ireland. Our film programme has a vast range of films from around the world, many of which are special previews and our comprehensive education programme and talent lab masterclasses will give young people a valuable insight into various film and television disciplines”.

Richard Williams, CEO,Northern IrelandScreen said: “Northern Ireland Screen is delighted to see the eclectic programme of screenings and educational events at the Cinemagic Film Festival inBelfastthis year for the young people ofNorthern Ireland. Through our continued core funding, supported by DCAL, Northern Ireland Screen acknowledges the Cinemagic Film Festival inBelfastas a key component in our efforts to achieve our goal of making a significant contribution to film culture, education and training. We send our sincerest good wishes to Joan and her team for another successful festival.”

Gillian Shields, PR Executive, Coca-ColaHBCNorthern Ireland Ltd, said “Coca-Cola is proud to sponsor the 12-25 year olds Cinemagic Festival Programme and to support the valuable work it does once again this year. This year’s festival will provide participants with the opportunity to gain exciting and practical experience in many arts based disciplines, giving a unique insight into the world of film and television and showcasing the many and varied talents in Northern Ireland”

Alderman Christopher Stalford, Chair, Belfast City Council Development Committee said ‘Belfast City Council is proud to support Cinemagic as one of our most prolific local arts festivals, focusing on young people and their endeavours in the world of film and screen.  We have supported Cinemagic for many years now and have watched them grow, develop, win awards, and achieve international recognition.  They are known to do great work within communities and have been inspirational to many young people, benefitting from connections with industry professionals, and appointing peer educators as young film consultants.’

Eddie Rowan, Events Manager at the Northern Ireland Tourist Board said, “We are delighted to support Cinemagic again in 2012. It has become an event which is known locally, nationally and internationally, showcasing Northern Ireland as a destination for not only our local residents, but also for our out of state visitors. There is tremendous potential for the tourism industry here to significantly contribute to economic growth and project a positive image ofNorthern Irelandto the rest of the world.  Cinemagic will help turn this potential into a reality.”

Public Film Programme

The Coen Brothers spotlight features a preview of Gambit, starring Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz, comedy-thriller, The Big Lebowski and adventure-comedy Raising Arizona. New Irish cinema offerings include Dollhouse, written and directed by Kirsten Sheridan and What Richard Did directed by Lenny Abrahamson which will mark the opening of the Takeover Film Festival co-ordinated by young people with support from Queen’s Film Theatre and Cinemagic.

World Cinema not to be missed includes German drama Lessons of a Dream, starring Daniel Bruhl (The Bourne Ultimatum, Goodbye Lenin), Kauwboy from the Netherlands, a  portrait of a young boy struggling to find a balance between reality and desire, and Argentinian made Beauty, which explores culture and identity. Chasing Ice, winner of the cinematography award at the 2012 Sundance Film Festival, explores the world’s changing glaciers in a hauntingly beautiful documentary and A Letter to Momo is a touching fantastical tale that fans of anime master Hiroyuki Okiura will delight in. The focus of the families on screen strand Little Miss Sunshine and The Royal Tenenbaums will give audiences a chance to revisit two of the most successful quirky comedies in recent years.

Workshop Programme

Workshops and special events in the education programme include short film production, a history of silent film with Dr Des O’Rawe, creative storytelling with Tim Loane, Irish History Live and Film- A Night to Remember, Bringing Cinema alive with music with Dirk Brosse, Director Q&A with Ross Ashcroft (Four Horsemen),Horror Film Genre with Ian Long, From stage to screen with Rosie Pelan, Film Classification with BBFC, Director Q&A with Sean McAllister (Inside the Arab Spring), Pitch That Brief with Brian Henry Martin, TV Presenting with Alison Fleming, Spanish short film showcase with Roberta Quance, Chasing Ice and Climate Change discussion, Gasland and Friends of the Earth discussion, Director Q&A with Martin Wallace (Small Creatures) Ulster Youth Choir, the voice and special effects with Dominic Peckham, Director Q&A with Phil Harrison (The Goodman),and short film showcases from around the world!

Jury The Cinemagic November Festival Jury is open to young people aged up to 18 who are passionate about film watching and reviewing. Join the Cinemagic team to watch and review all of the festival films in competition!  Jury members will announce the winning festival films at the Gala Awards Ceremony in Belfast City Hall on 29th November. Email [email protected] to register for a place on the jury panel before 9th November

Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People is funded by Northern Ireland Screen supported by DCAL, Belfast City Council, Northern Ireland Tourist Board and DSD.

To view the Cinemagic Festival Programme online visit www.cinemagic.org.uk

To book cinema tickets for the public screening programme book online at www.gotobelfast.com, telephone Belfast Welcome Centre on 028 90 24 66 09 or on site at 47 Donegall Place, Belfast.

Cinema tickets are also available at each participating cinema venue in advance and on the day, Odyssey Cinema (www.odysseycinemas.co.uk 90 739134), Queen’s Film Theatre (www.queensfilmtheatre.com 90971097) , Strand Cinema (90 655 830), Grand Opera House (www.goh.co.uk/whatson.aspx 90241 919) , Black Box (www.gotobelfast.com 90 246609)

To book workshops telephone Cinemagic on 028 90 311 900.

 ENDS:

Press Information Claire Shaw, Cinemagic Press Officer

[email protected] 028 90 311 900