Festival Serves ‘UP’ A Feast!
Film fans across Northern Ireland are in for a cinematic treat as the 19th Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People has launched its highly anticipated annual programme that includes more than 100 film screenings and over 50 different workshops, competitions, masterclasses and exciting film related events.
The Festival opens on 18th November and runs until 4th December in various Belfast venues including Movie House Cinemas, ODEON, Strand Cinema, Queen’s Film Theatre and in towns throughout Northern Ireland. The programme launch was marked with a special preview of the latest Disney*Pixar comedy adventure ‘Up’ in Movie House Cinemas, Yorkgate/Cityside for 400 invited guests.
Speaking at the festival’s programme launch, Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive said:
“We are delighted to present our 19th Cinemagic Festival programme that offers more than 150 film and television events for young people that are entertaining, educational and inspiring. With the kind support of our funders, and our Title Sponsor Coca-Cola we have been able to build on the success of last year and increase the number of education events for schools and masterclasses for those wishing to follow a career in the media industry.
We will be welcoming a host of both local and international industry professionals to Belfast, such as award winning actor Ciaran Hinds, Grammy award winning film composer David Arnold and Oscar nominated actress Saoirse Ronan. We are also pleased to announce that this year’s festival has many low cost and free events to choose from, so the festival experience will guarantee more value for your pound!.”
Zoe Cunningham, Communications Manager for Coca-Cola HBC Northern Ireland added: “Coca-Cola is proud to maintain its successful partnership with Cinemagic by continuing to sponsor the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People for the next three years. This year’s festival will once again provide participants with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in many arts based disciplines, giving a unique insight into the world of film and television and showcasing the many and varied talents of the young people of Northern Ireland.
We are delighted to support activities for the 12 – 25 age group such as the exciting range of movie screenings and the Talent Lab masterclass programme for 16-25 year olds, which provides a fantastic opportunity for young people to learn and gain experience from industry experts in a variety of cinematic and media disciplines.”
Festival Guests:
Festival guests attending the young people’s film festival include award winning Belfast born actor Ciaran Hinds (Veronica Guerin, Munich, There Will Be Blood, In Bruges, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 & 2), Oscar nominated Irish actress Saoirse Ronan (Atonement, City of Ember, The Lovely Bones), screenwriter Tony Grisoni (Tideland, Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas, Red Riding Trilogy), Grammy Award-winning film composer David Arnold (Stargate, Independence Day, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace), film critic Mark Kermode (The Culture Show, News Night Review, Radio 5 Live) Academy Award winning hair and make-up artist Christine Blundell (Topsy Turvey, The Full Monty, Finding Neverland, The Constant Gardener, Casino Royale, Sherlock Holmes) Oscar and BAFTA Award winning costume designer Jenny Beavan (A Room with a View, Amazing Grace, Black Dahlia, Gosford Park, Alexander) production manager Terry Bamber (101 Dalmatians, Tomb Raider, Phantom of the Opera, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace) and Casting Director Ros Hubbard (The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, United 93, The Bourne Ultimatum).
Cinemagic Launch
Festival Films
Gala Screenings & Awards:
Movie enthusiasts will have the opportunity to view the best international films for young people ranging from special previews to new family films, documentaries, short film packages, as well as family and kids’ favourites. The Opening Night animated UK preview, ‘Spirit of the Forest’ (18 Nov), directed by David Rubin & Juan Carlos Pena will delight young audiences and set the standard for the eclectic line-up of films being screened over the 17 days of the largest film festival for young people in the UK and Ireland.
The Northern Ireland Premieres of lrish films ‘The Race’ (26th Nov) and ‘A Shine of Rainbows’ (2nd Dec) will provide young people with the chance to meet cast and crew, and the Festival will close with the ‘Cinemagic Awards Night’ (4th Dec) where the Film, Young Filmmaker and Talent Lab award winners will be announced before the audience enjoys a night of film themed fun!
New Family Films:
The New Family Films section of the programme will fascinate both parents and young children alike. The Irish Preview of ‘Sunshine Barry and the Disco Worms’ (22nd Nov) and the Northern Ireland preview of ‘Gnomes and Trolls: The Secret Chamber’ (29th Nov) are guaranteed to have the whole family laughing in the aisles and The Irish Preview of the charming ‘Moonbeam Bear and Friends’ (28th Nov), adapted from the delightful picture book series, is sure to warm the heart!
Around the World Films:
The Around the World film programme is compiled of special UK and Irish premiere screenings of international movies that explore new worlds and cultures. Highlights include the UK Preview of rugged New Zealand drama ‘The Strength of Water’ (23rd Nov); enter the bizarre and wonderful world of 10 year old Leon in the fantastic French film ‘It’s Not Me, I Swear’ (24th Nov); have you ever wondered what Santa Claus was like as a child? Find out in the Irish Preview of ‘A Christmas Story’ (29th Nov). ‘The Eagle Hunter’s Son’ (1st Dec) is a breath-taking epic that explores the conflicts that arise when family tradition takes precedent over individual desires; the German comedy ‘The Crocodiles’ (1st Dec) follows horrid gangsters and a group of determined teenagers! Can a boy of nine be a big brother, a father, a mother and a luminary all at once? All will be revealed in the Turkish drama ‘The Bogeyman’ (2nd Dec).
Documentaries:
Documentary fans can enjoy skillfully made films including the awe-inspiring special preview of ‘Turtle: The Incredible Journey’ (19th Nov) narrated by Miranda Richardson; the inspirational story of Burmese families migrating to the UK in ‘Moving to Mars’ (24th Nov); Can the first youth debating team from Qatar prosper in the World Championships in Washington DC? Follow their progress in ‘Team Qatar’ (30th Nov); Imagine an ocean without fish. Imagine your meals without seafood. Think about the global consequences in The End of the Line (1st Dec).
Roald Dahl – A Celebration:
A selection of the master story-teller’s greatest tales will be showcased on the big screen in a special Roald Dahl festival celebration. Join young James on the voyage of a lifetime in ‘James and the Giant Peach’ (21st Nov); Can a little girl overcome her parent’s disapproval and learn how to control her special powers in ‘Matilda’? (22nd Nov); Will Sophie and her new giant friend safely deliver their collection of dreams to all the sleeping children in ‘The BFG’? (28th Nov).
Movies for Kids:
Children will be thrilled with what’s on offer with a series of classic kid’s animations. ‘Finding Nemo’ (21st Nov), ‘Treasure Planet’ (22nd Nov), ‘All Dogs Go to Heaven’ (28th Nov) and ‘The Tigger Movie’ (29th Nov) guarantee to enthrall all young film fans.
Teenage Classics:
The much loved Cinemagic Teenage Classics programme includes a strong line-up of favourite film titles ranging from Cameron Crowe’s ‘Almost Famous’ (23rd Nov) and Peter Weir’s ‘Dead Poets Society’ (24th Nov) to Joel Schumacher’s ‘The Lost Boys’ (30th Nov) and Harold Ramis’ ‘Groundhog Day’ (1st Dec).
Short Films:
Live action and animated international short film packages, for all ages, will provide the audience with thrills, laughs and surprises in Irish Language Shorts’ (26th Nov), ‘Growing Pains’ (2nd Dec), ‘Teenage Kicks 1’ (25th Nov), ‘Teenage Kicks 2’ (1st Dec), ‘Animated Antics 1’ (24th Nov), ‘Animated Antics 2 ‘(1st Dec), ‘Shorts for Shorties’ (21st Nov) and ‘Classic Cartoons’ (21st Nov).
Special Film Events:
Film critic, broadcaster and journalist Mark Kermode will be returning to Cinemagic to introduce and discuss his 2009 festival pick- Bill Forsyth’s classic drama ‘Local Hero’ (28th Nov). Mark will also be sharing his thoughts on the year’s new film releases before answering questions from the audience.
Calling all anime fans! Cinemagic has teamed up with the London Sci-Fi Film Festival to bring an exciting feast of movie magic to Belfast. The Festival will be transporting its hugely successful Ocktoberfest anime programme to ODEON Cinemas, Belfast, for an ‘All Night Movie Marathon’ of new sci-fi film previews (20th Nov). Do not miss the chance to experience a unique cinematic experience while the city sleeps!
‘Talent Lab’ Masterclasses sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland: Young people (aged 16-25) who are keen to get an inside track on the media industry can do just that as the hugely successful ‘Talent Lab’ sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland returns. Promising to be a fantastic mix of creativity, fun and learning, the ‘Talent Lab’ Masterclasses include Fights for Stage and Screen, Make-up for Film, Costume Design, Script Writing, Film Production, Casting, Production Design and Location Management (3rd&4th Dec)
Nursery School Programme:
Little ones can enjoy the magic of the latest preschool entertainment programmes and participate in early years drama with the Debutots team during the fun-filled Cinebabies event (23rd & 24th Nov).
Primary School Education Programme:
Primary School pupils can look forward to participating in a diverse range of festival events that include Sesame Tree Workshop – Make Your Own Muppet, Let’s Get Animated with Flickerpix Animations, Film Preview: Turtle the Incredible Journey + WWF Discussion, The Travelling Cinema: Cinemobile Screenings, School’s Out Screening: The Wizard of Oz, The Art of Shadow Play with Frank Quinn, Once Upon A Time Storytelling with Fra Gunn, Special Screening: The Secret of Kells + Q&A with director Tomm Moore, That’s Classified – BBFC Film Classification Workshop, Dance Along With Film with The Crescent Arts Centre and BFI Story Shorts Workshop for Pupils and Teachers (20th Nov – 3rd Dec).
Secondary School Education Programme:
The festival offers workshop and film packages to complement the post-primary curriculum with a special emphasis on students studying moving image arts and media studies. The highlights include Talking Movies Q&A with Saoirse Ronan, The Pauper’s Guide to Science Fiction Filmmaking with the London Sci-Fi Film Festival, Directing with Carol Moore, School’s Out Screening – Little Moscow, Studio ON Filmmaking workshops, A Film Competition for Schools with Castres International Short Film Festival, Meet the Cast & Crew: Screening – A Boy Called Dad, Film Classification with the BBFC, BAFTA Film Showcase and Q&A, Documentary Screening: War child + Q&A, The Film Review with Empire Film Magazine, Film Fusion: Music Composition & Film with Miguel Mera and David Arnold, Moving Image Arts Showcase, Pitch That Brief: Pitching Your Documentary Idea, BFI Workshop: Science Fiction Film – Yesterday’s Future (19th Nov – 2nd Dec).
Young Filmmaker Competition:
The judges of the 2009 Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Competition are looking for imaginative and original short films made by young people, to be showcased during the festival. The competition is free to enter and it is open to young people from across the UK and Ireland aged 4-25 years old. Short listed films will be screened at a Cinemagic Awards Ceremony at ODEON Cinemas on 4th December.
Festival Jury Panel:
Budding film critics will be delighted at the chance to practise their skills by joining the festival jury panel! This is a unique aspect to Cinemagic as it is one of the few festivals in the world whose winners are selected by juries made up solely of young people. Young people, aged 10-18 years old, will watch all of the ‘in competition’ films and decide the winners in a number of categories.
To view the Cinemagic Festival Programme and book film tickets online visit www.cinemagic.org.uk
Film tickets can also be purchased at the Festival Box Office, Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast. Telephone 028 90 24 66 09
To Book Workshops and Masterclasses visit www.cinemagic.org.uk
Telephone Cinemagic 028 90 311 900
Cinemagic receives funding support from Northern Ireland Screen, UK Film Council, Department for Social Development, Belfast City Council, and Arts& Business.
