About: History
Cinemagic is an award-winning organisation that uses the magic of film and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate motivate and inspire young people.
Cinemagic is an award-winning organisation that uses the magic of film and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate motivate and inspire young people. Established twenty one years ago, Cinemagic has developed a worldwide reputation for excellence in children’s programming and is currently the largest film event of its kind for young people in Ireland and the UK.
Designed for and by young people, Cinemagic caters for young people (aged 4 to 25) with just about every level of interest in film, whether to watch and enjoy, create their own work or take things a stage further and find out more about a career in the film or television industry.
Cinemagic strongly believes that film represents much more than entertainment – the medium of film offers the most accessible way to learn about and stimulate discussion among young people about the personal and world issues that are currently important to them.
Cinemagic hosts its annual film and television festival in Belfast every November as well as an annual festival in Dublin since 2008. In 2010 Cinemagic delivered festival events in New York and Los Angeles to mark the Festival's 20th Anniversary and due to the success of these events returned to the USA in 2011 to host film events in New York, Boston, San Francisco and Los Angeles.
The Festival Programmes includes an array of preview screenings, workshops for schools, special film events, Q&A’s, Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Competition, the young festival jury and masterclasses in all aspects of television and filmmaking.
Industry professionals that have supported the Cinemagic Festival include Aardman Animation, Brian Cox, Brian Freisinger, Christine Blundell, Ciaran Hinds, Colin Hanks, Dame Helen Mirren, Danny Boyle, David Arnold, David Parfitt, David Perry, Dermot O’Leary, Gerard McSorley, Hamish Hamilton, Jenny Beavan, Julian Fellowes, Kenneth Branagh, Liam Neeson, Lindy Hemming, Mark Kermode, Mike Hodges, Mike Leigh, Patrick Doyle, Pierce Brosnan, Ralph Fiennes, Ros and John Hubbard, Roy Disney, Saoirse Ronan, Sir Alan Parker, Stephen Rea, Stephen Warbeck, and The Jim Henson Company.
Every year Cinemagic recruits 25 young film consultants who play a significant role in the planning and promotion of the Belfast Festival. The young consultants work with the Cinemagic team to help steer the choice of films for the Festival, as they watch and critique films from around the globe.
While the core festival events are in Belfast and Dublin, Cinemagic is equally committed to providing opportunities for young people in regional towns and cities across the UK. In the last three years Cinemagic has extended its reach to Manchester, Hereford, Glasgow and Nottingham with support from UK Film Council, and has developed a strong partnership with Castres Short Film Festival in France.
Over the last three years, funding from Northern Ireland Screen and the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure has enabled Cinemagic to provide primary and post-primary schools in Northern Ireland (45 to date) with the necessary support to run After School Film Clubs as part of extended school day activities.
Cinemagic is a member of ECFA: European Children's Film Association
Participant Quotes:
Through working with cinemagic over the summer of 2010 my eyes were opened to all the possibilities of working in the film industry and I was inspired to follow my dream career of being a film director. I changed my a-level choices to give me the skills I need to pursue this career which was a huge decision but I was very confident it was the right one and ever since I have been so happy! I am so grateful to cinemagic for inspiring me and helping me follow my future career.
Ellen McLean- International Film Camp participant.
Cinemagic has provided me with not only opportunities that I never thought I would get, but also chances to meet people that I would never thought I would meet. Taking part in their international film camp was an amazing experience where I got to make friends with people from Dublin and across the globe in New York and LA. Even though Dublin is not that far, I would never have got the chance to meet the people I did and have the contact I have with some of my friends if it wasn't for Cinemagic. Also while in LA, staying with a host family was a once in a lifetime opportunity. I was able to experience the culture and life of someone that lives a totally different life to me. It was incredible how I was able to make bonds and friendships with people I would never have known and how they taught me things about their way of life. I have learnt many new things and made so many new friends with Cinemagic. I am so grateful for the opportunities they have provided me with.
Chloe McLaurin- International Film Camp participant