4th Cinemagic LA film festival celebrates young filmmaking talent from Northern Ireland.

A host of film, television and entertainment industry professionals lent their support to the 4th annual Los Angeles Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival, which ran during this year’s Oscar week!  Nine teenagers from Northern Ireland, who participated in the festival, were congratulated by the First Minister, Peter Robinson MLA and deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness MLA at a visit to Stormont Castle to showcase the highlights of the Festival.

Young people at Cinemagic Los Angeles, from Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland and Los Angeles were offered a unique opportunity to participate in  educational Q&A’s, film screenings, workshops, masterclasses and special events with The Jim Henson Company, HBO, 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros, Remote Control Studios, New York Film Academy LA, Aero Film, Inner City Arts, Creative Visions Foundation. 

A highlight of the festival for the Northern Ireland young people was meeting Academy Award winning Film Music Composer, Hans Zimmer and presenting him with a Cinemagic award for his outstanding contribution to the film industry. Hans Zimmer is recognised as one of Hollywood’s most innovative talents having composed for films such as Rain Man, Driving Miss Daisy, The Lion King, As Good As It Gets, Gladiator, Pearl Harbour, The Dark Knight Rises and Man of Steel (yet to be released).

Another big highlight for the Northern Ireland participants was the Los Angeles premiere screening of ‘The Mantle’, a short film made by teenagers during Cinemagic’s International Film Camp in Belfast, Northern Ireland last July. The film camp aimed to bring young people from different cultural backgrounds together to work on a common goal and to produce a film in just five days.

As a result of the film camp, nine teenagers from Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland were selected to represent Cinemagic during its week of events in Los Angeles and to showcase their short film to the young audiences and industry professionals there. Three of the Los Angeles film camp participants were also present to talk about their experience making the film in Ballycastle!

The much-anticipated opening reception, at the Fairmont Hotel and Bungalows in Santa Monica, hosted by UK Television personality Ross King, showcased the collaborative work of young filmmakers in Los Angeles and from Northern Ireland, a Q&A kicked off the evening’s events with special guests in attendance including six-time Academy Award nominee Jim Sheridan. Other celebrity guests to walk the red carpet included Briana Evigan star of 'Step Up 2', actress Melia Kreiling, Rowly Dennis from 'Jane by Design', actresses April Billingsily and Valyn Hall, Irish Actress Caroline Morahan, Jay Harrington star of 'Better Off Ted' and more.

As patron for Cinemagic, Pierce Brosnan recorded a special message for the event and donated his personal artwork for auction in support of the charity, helping to motivate and educate young people through the medium of film.

Other films made by young people and screened at the festival included an original short film produced last year as part of Cinemagic’s International Fund for Ireland ‘Sharing in Education programme’ project entitled ‘Reel Frontiers’. The film ‘Aftermath’ was made by young people from Catholic and Protestant backgrounds, with the aim for the participants to work together on a common goal, learn about film making and production, share experiences and make new friends.

Voicing his support for the future of our creative industries the First Minister said: ‘The Northern Ireland Executive is committed to investing in our creative industries and to building on our reputation across the world as an excellent location to invest.

Cinemagic provides wonderful opportunities for young people to learn about the film and television industries from those who are directly involved in them. It fosters the talent of our young people and gives them the skills and the confidence to live up to their dreams.

I commend these young people for their hard work and enthusiasm and hope that their experiences will inspire for them in their future careers. The important connections they have made in the industry and the skills they have learnt are a boost to the future of the arts and culture in Northern Ireland.’

The deputy First Minister continued: “The arts and culture are a vital part of the local economy and on our recent visit to Los Angeles we promoted the local film industry and pitched for more filming projects to take place here.

“The young people involved with Cinemagic have also been promoting our local talent and facilities through their enthusiastic involvement in Cinemagic’s Los Angeles Film Festival.

“The Executive continues to support Cinemagic’s great work to educate, inspire and broaden understanding and awareness of the media industries among our children and young people.”

Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Chief Executive of Cinemagic said “With the support of our funders and partners we were proud to present our 4th Cinemagic Los Angeles Film Festival earlier this year. Our industry partners kindly came on board to share their knowledge and skills with young people, through workshops, film screenings and question and answer sessions. This interaction provides vital encouragement for young people, inspiring them to pursue their ambitions.

The Cinemagic Festival gives young people the opportunity to work with others from different cultural backgrounds and to create new channels of communication through the medium of film. The workshops help develop not only the young people’s film making skills but also their inter-personal skills, and the overall process of film viewing contributes to a deeper understanding of cultural difference.”

17 year old participant, Sarah McGeown, from Belfast, said “Since returning from Cinemagic Los Angeles I have become involved with a production company called Yellow Fever Productions and I am currently cast to play a part in a short thriller this summer. During the summer along with Pure Imagination Productions, I also plan to cast and film a short film based on the Troubles. I am also signed up to teach a drama class to young people ages 5-16 in my local youth club during the summer where I will also prepare the young people to put on a performance”

19 year old participant, Rachel McClure from Templepatrick, said “There is alot I have to learn to be a producer as it covers every aspect of filming making. This trip genuinely covered every aspect. Speaking to production managers, producers, directors, actors and musicians really helped give me an understanding of the tasks I would be undertaking as a film producer. I have an interest in music in film and always wondered what the process was to get songs cleared for use so was so happy with the presentation on music in film by Fox. I have learnt more about a producer’s role and how they work with everyone in pre production, production and post production. Since I got home I began writing a script and I’m confident that once I have it finished I could begin to produce it and get it made, I now have the skills to do that. I also have a few filming projects under way and I am a lot more confident in what I’m doing than I was before”