To mark the 20th anniversary of the Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, the award-winning Northern Ireland based charity is visiting Los Angeles to deliver a satellite festival. Cinemagic will be working in partnership with REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) International Children’s Film Festival from Monday 1st to Thursday 4th March 2010, to entertain young people through film and offer them the opportunity to attend Irish film screenings and participate in masterclasses and workshops with leading industry professionals. Other organisations and industry professionals that are supporting Cinemagic’s Los Angeles events range from The Jim Henson Company and Sepia Films right through to actors such as Jason Connery, Patrick Bergin, Sile Bermingham, and Ryan Rowe.
Discussing the exciting programme that is lined up for Los Angeles, Joan Burney Keatings, Chief Executive of Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People, commented “Cinemagic is currently the largest film festival of its kind for young people in the UK and Ireland and I am delighted that we are extending our international activities to the USA in 2010 as part of our 20th anniversary celebrations. I firmly believe that by working in partnership with other world renowned film festivals we can highlight the contribution that Northern Ireland and Ireland have made to the world of film by screening some of the best short and feature length productions to captive audiences.
“Our industry supporters have also come on board to share their knowledge and skills with young people, through workshops, masterclasses and question and answer sessions. This face to face interaction provides vital encouragement to young people, inspiring them to pursue their ambitions.
Sponsors of the festival are: Tourism Ireland, Culture Ireland, NI Bureau, American Consulate, Sesame Street, The Jim Henson Company, REDCAT (Roy and Edna Disney/CalArts Theater) International Children’s Film Festival, Ghetto Film School, Irish Arts Center, ELMA, Four Seasons Hotel and Fitzpatrick Hotel Group.
“Cinemagic’s US presence also allows the charity to forge important alliances with other industry professionals, with a view to expanding opportunities for young people in Northern Ireland to learn from others.” Welcoming Cinemagic to the city, Mark Murphy, Executive Director of REDCAT International Children’s Film Festival, said “We are delighted that Cinemagic will be joining us to provide young people from Los Angeles with an insight into the Irish film industry. The joy of film is that it can break down physical and cultural barriers while increasing understanding of different societies.
“Cinemagic’s industry supporters are also sharing their time and expertise with young people through workshops and masterclasses. Having access to learn from respected industry professionals who have forged very successful careers in a highly competitive industry is quite a unique opportunity.”
Congratulating Cinemagic on their USA programme, U.S. Consul General Kamala Lakhdhir added “I thoroughly enjoyed viewing some excellent films during December’s Cinemagic event in Belfast, and I am delighted that this outstanding festival will now be showcased in the U.S. I have every confidence that industry professionals there will be extremely interested to learn about the accomplishments of Joan Burney Keatings and her team. Collectively, they epitomize the depth of talent that is evident in Northern Ireland’s creative arts industry, and we wish them well in their endeavours.”
Pascal Ladreyt, Executive Director of ELMA (European Languages and Movies in America) added “Our mission is to foster intercultural exchanges between the US and Europe through the medium of cinema and form a new generation of film viewers. We are therefore very happy to support Cinemagic in their endeavour to bring a piece of Irish Culture to the US and we wish them a continued success.”
For more information please check the Cinemagic festival’s site.