Festival goers will have the chance to experience a thought-provoking world cinema programme that spotlights youth issues and social issues, an extensive education programme, talent lab industry masterclasses, classic and brand-new family and teen films, the Cinemagic Young Filmmaker weekend, and Film Jury panels for young film critics.
In addition to film previews from all over the world, festival goers can hear from Blue Peter Editor, Ellen Evans, about her job looking after the longest running children’s tv show in the world. Film Critic, presenter and author Ian Nathan will be ‘in conversation’ with Brian Henry Martin about Ian’s latest book, James Cameron: A Retrospective, and Derry Girls Director Michael Lennox will give an insight to working on Channel 4’s hit comedy.
The Creativity Corner will offer workshops in Writing for TV, Making News Programmes, Illustration, Puppetry, Presenting and Acting. BAFTA Winner, Tony Cooke, Head Writer/Executive Producer on the magical Lovely Little Farm for Apple TV+ will help young people develop their writing skills and content ideas, and presenter Joanna Adeyinka-Burford will take teens on an A-Z journey through the media industry.
Creative Talent from TV and Film productions Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Skyfall, Three Families, Derry Girls, Becoming Human, Bear Grylls: Survival School, Bridgerton, Normal People, An Cailín Ciúin will host the Cinemagic Belfast Harbour Talent Lab Masterclasses focusing on equipping new entrants to the film and television industry with insights on Directing, Producing, Acting and Cinematography.
“We are extremely excited to present this year’s Cinemagic Film Festival in Belfast- the 33rd Edition! After months of hard work amid a difficult landscape for everyone, we are proud to share an uplifting and inspiring programme filled with Talent Labs, Film Previews, Industry Talks, workshops and competitions. As an innovator in the field of youth film exhibition and engagement with the screen industry, we are providing a unique window to the world and celebrating stories from all walks of life. With continued support from our funders Cinemagic can motivate young audiences, nurture skills, and develop tomorrow’s creative workforce. I encourage festival supporters and new audiences to get involved this autumn.
Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Cinemagic CEO
The festival is also looking for CineSeekers Juries, to become young film critics to review animation, drama, and documentary films, and over 150 young filmmakers from the UK and Ireland will be celebrated during the Young Filmmaker Showcase for rising talent.
The Cinemagic Film Education programme offers opportunities for pre-school and primary to post-primary and third level students. Some of the highlights include:
- a BAFTA Key Skills Workshop and Young Presenters Workshop with De-Graft Mensah from BBC Newsround.
- Acclaimed documentary film Young Plato will screen with an introduction Q&A from Director Neasa Ní Chianáin.
- Creative Director Christian Manz from Visual Effects giants Framestore will host a Q&A and careers discussion with a screening of Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore.
- Show creator and writer Holly Phillips will host a Q&A explaining how she launched and created programmes such as Get Even and Rebel Cheer Squad, and
- writer Ian Nathan will be talking about his book alongside a screening of the Cameron classic The Abyss.
In partnership with CCEA and the Foyle Film Festival, Cinemagic will host the 2022 Moving Image Arts Awards Showcase and classroom-based activity includes Podcasting for Beginners, BBFC Online Classification Workshops, SFX Make-Up Tutorials, and Short Film Juries.
