Movie enthusiasts can look forward to a feast of films in November as the Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People launches its highly anticipated ‘20th Anniversary’ programme, that includes more than 100 films from around the world- over 20 of which are UK/Irish previews and premieres and over 60 workshops, competitions, masterclasses and exciting film related events!
The celebratory themed Cinemagic Festival opens in Belfast on 11th November and runs for 16 action packed days and nights until 26th November in various Belfast venues including Movie House Cinemas, ODEON, Strand Cinema, and Queen’s Film Theatre. New venues for 2010 include the newly refurbished Crescent Arts Centre, Ulster Museum and the Lagan Legacy Barge!
The launch was marked with a special preview of family animation Dolphin: Story of a Dreamer in Movie House Cinemas, Cityside, at which 350 film fans attended and cast members, including Irish actor Robert Sheehan (Cherrybomb, Killing Bono, The Tudors) from E4 drama series Misfits officially unveiled the programme at the cinema!
Commenting on the festival’s programme launch, Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive said: “We are delighted to present our 20th Anniversary Cinemagic Festival that offers more than 150 film and television events for young people that are entertaining, educational and inspiring. With the support of our funders, and our Title Sponsor Coca-Cola we have been able to increase the number of events taking place. The Festival has grown hugely over the years and is a major event on the cultural calendar in Northern Ireland and beyond.
We will be welcoming a host of both international and local industry professionals to the Festival such as Oscar-winning screenwriter Julian Fellowes, acclaimed director Mike Hodges, actor Jason Flemyng, award-winning film music composers Maggie Rodford and David Julyan, and returning for a fifth consecutive year, highly acclaimed film critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode will be ‘in conversation’ with the Belfast audiences. We are also holding an international young jury competition, screening a special series of 20th Anniversary films, and holding a Gala Awards ceremony in Belfast City Hall, so it will certainly be a festival to remember!”
Erica Roseingrave, Public Affairs and Communications Manager, Coca-Cola HBC, Island of Ireland:” Coca-Cola is proud to sponsor the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People once again this year. This year’s 20th Anniversary 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.”
Festival Films
Gala Screenings: The Opening Night animated preview, Eleanor’s Secret, directed by Dominique Monfery will delight young audiences and set the standard for the eclectic line-up of films being screened over the 16 days of the largest film festival for young people in the UK and Ireland, with the Closing Night of the film programme being marked with a preview of superhero movie Megamind from DreamWorks Animation and Paramount Pictures.
New Family: These films will fascinate both parents and young children alike with fairies, elves and mermaids galore in Princess Lillifee, based on the popular Lillifee story books; Missing Lynx follows the adventures of a group of animals in their quest to escape the clutches of an unscrupulous hunter, and there is fun and frolics all aboard an ocean liner in Jasper: Penguin Explorer.
Irish Features: The festival is proud to be premiering four Irish Features that include A Kiss for Jed Wood, starring Coleraine actress Jayne Wisener; Belfast made Wasteland, a story about fate, luck and circumstance in teenage life; The Runway, directed by Ian Power, that depicts the real-life story of a pilot who had to crash land on Mallow Racecourse, Co Cork, in 1983 in a Mexican Gulfstream II jet; and All Good Children, a richly atmospheric debut feature by writer/director Alicia Duffy, that includes a stunning performance by young Irish actor Jack Gleeson.
Around The World: Fifteen previews from around the world will guide viewers in a cultural whistle-stop tour of countries such as Denmark, England, Norway, France, New Zealand, Finland, Germany, Austria, Australia, Italy and Japan!
Highlights include From Time to Time, the latest offering from director Julian Fellowes; the rollicking spellbinding Monster Busters; Magic Silver, the tale of a small mountain gnome; Glowing Stars which tells the insightful story of a young girl navigating adolescence; Accidents Happen, a wickedly funny fable of family, fate and misfortune in American suburbia; Bran Nue Dae, a charming music driven road movie, starring Academy Award winner Geoffrey Rush; and Cosmonaut, an intriguing drama set in 1950’s Italy.
Documentary: From stories of boxing and ballet to mountain climbing, horse-whispering and community spirit, film fans eager to see this year’s documentaries will not be disappointed! The Mountain Within provides a powerful insight into the emotional and physical journeys of a group of seven adults with disabilities as they take on one of the most revered mountains – Mount Kilimanjaro. Shot over four years, New Zealand made This Way of Life is an intimate portrait of a Maori family and their relationship with nature, adversity, their horses and society at large. Sons of Cuba, set in a Havana Boxing Academy follows the stories of three young boxing hopefuls; TuTu Much follows nine young ballet dancers as they plie, pirouette and compete to realise their dreams;and Shelter in Place examines a community battling against environmental pollution and corporate power!
20th Anniversary Screenings: To mark Cinemagic’s 20th Anniversary there is a chance to watch classic films also celebrating their 20th Anniversary this year! Ireland’s travelling cinema, Cinemobile, will screen The Witches, Home Alone and Edward Scissorhands!
Aardman Animations- A Celebration: There is a celebratory spotlight on the innovative and award-winning work of Aardman Animations with screenings of Peter Lord and Nick Park’s Chicken Run, all time favourite Wallace & Gromit: Curse of The Were Rabbit and witty adventure Flushed Away.
Family Favourites: Cinematic groundbreaker Who Framed Roger Rabbit kicks of the family favourites of the festival, that include a retrospective on Jim Henson, who passed away twenty years ago this year, with a celebration of The Jim Henson Company’s work including screenings of Labyrinth and The Muppet Christmas Carol.
Comic Book Capers: The much loved comic book film adaptations feature in a new section that includes Superman-The Movie, Rocketeer and Flash Gordon which celebrates its 30th Anniversary and to mark this, the festival will welcome Flash Gordon director, Mike Hodges, who will be answering questions from the audience after the screening.
Studio Ghibli: The work of premiere Japanese animation film studio will be celebrated with three anime films, two directed by Hayao Miyazaki, Ponyo, inspired by Hans Christian Anderson’s fairytale ‘The Little Mermaid and the magical fantasy Howl’s Moving Castle, and Tales from Earthsea directed by Goro Miyazaki.
Short Films: Live action and animated international short film packages, for a variety of ages, will provide the audience with thrills, laughs and surprises in Shorts for Shorties, Animated Antics, New Irish Shorts, Teenage Kicks and Growing Pains.
Masterclasses
Young people (aged 16-25) who are keen to get an inside track on the media industry can do just that as the hugely popular Talent Lab event returns. Promising to be a fantastic mix of creativity and learning, the Talent Lab and Masterclasses include Scriptwriting, Make-up and Costume Design for Film, Visual Effects, Film Production, Acting, Film Journalism, Casting, Screenwriting, Broadcasting and Programme Making.
Special Events
Film critic Mark Kermode will be returning to Cinemagic to discuss his 2010 festival pick- Fitzcarraldo, directed by Werner Herzog. A special screening of Northern Ireland’s Favourite Family Film will be unveiled at a special screening on 21st November but there is still time to vote for your favourite by emailing its title to favouritefamilyfilm@cinemagic.org.uk by 11th October; and Cinema Paradiso, the multi-award-winning homage to the love of cinema, will be screened in aid of the Leukaemia Research Fund for Northern Ireland. Songs From The Movies in Victoria Square supported by Arts & Business will thrill young people interested in performing, Cinemagic Stars, an intense 3-day acting course returns, hosted by Suranne Jones, Cinebabies party, an early years festival celebration takes place in Crescent Arts Centre, and a Mini Magic Festival supported by Westwood Shopping Centre features community films and acting workshops. The Festival Jury is open to young people aged, 10-18, passionate about film watching and reviewing and the International Jury will welcome young people from seven countries who will discuss and judge a programme of short and feature length films.
Nursery School Programme
Little ones can enjoy the magic of the latest preschool entertainment programmes and films and participate in early years drama with the Debutots team during the fun-filled Cinebabies events.
Primary School Education Programme
Primary Schools pupils can look forward to participating in a diverse range of festival events that include Movie Magic with the Ulster Orchestra, Dance Along with Film, Once Upon A Time…Storytelling, Early Years Drama, Film Classification, School’s Out, Jury Competition, Read and Draw the Hugglewug Way, History Live, Storytelling with Colin Bateman, Lagan Legacy Screening, Big City Park, The Art of Illustration, Animation, The Art of Shadow Play, Lego & filmmaking and DreamWorks Animation workshop.
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 Pitch That Brief, Film Quiz, In Conversation with ‘Skins’, Film Classification, School’s Out, Improve Your Filmmaking Skills, Spanish Short Film Showcase, Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows Part 1, Irish Language Filmmaking Workshop, Orange BAFTA Shorts and Filmmaker Q&A, Empire Magazine Film Reviewing, Jury Competition, Film Music Composition, Entertainment TV Presenting and Current Affairs Broadcasting with UTV, Anime Workshop, Genre Study- Horror, Genre Study- The Western, Moving Image Arts Showcase, The Net Generation.
To view the Cinemagic Festival Programme and book film tickets online visit www.cinemagic.org.uk
Film tickets can also be purchased in person at the Festival Box Office, Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place, Belfast or by telephoning 028 90 24 66 09. Tickets for films will also be available on the door of participating cinemas subject to availability.
To Book Workshops and Masterclasses visit www.cinemagic.org.uk
Telephone Cinemagic 028 90 311 900