As well as launching its annual Young Filmmaker Competition for 2008, The Cinemagic International Film Festival for Young People (13 November – 5 December) will host the European premiere of ‘City of Ember’ with Northern Ireland Screen and Entertainment Film Distributors in Belfast’ s Movie House Cinemas on October 9.
'City of Ember’ which stars Bill Murray (Lost in Translation) and IFTA winning actress Saoirse Ronan (Atonement) and was filmed on location in the Paint Hall in Belfast’s Titanic Quarter. Funded by Northern Ireland Screen and Invest NI, the film is scripted by Caroline Thompson (Edward Scissorhands), based on the best-selling novel by Jeanne Duprau and directed by Gil Kenan (Monsters House).
Alongside the 100 film screenings and the different workshops, competitions, masterclasses and film-related events taking place at this years festival, judges for the Young Filmmaker Competition are looking for imaginative and original short films made by people aged 4 -25 years to be showcased as part of the Festival which takes place in Belfast from 13- 30 November.
Chris Shaw, Cinemagic Festival Programmer explains that “Whether you are a first-time filmmaker or developing your skills in filmmaking the competition offers a great platform to showcase your work. The short-listed films in a number of categories will then be screened during the festival. Applicants to the competition will also have the opportunity to participate in a festival masterclass of their choice and attend a series of festival films.”
The deadline for entries to the Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Competition is 31st October. Please send a VHS or DVD copy of your film with a completed entry form to Cinemagic Young Filmmaker 2008, Chris Shaw, Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL. Films should be no longer than 15 minutes. Entry forms and regulations can be downloaded from www.cinemagic.org.uk
