The 21st Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young people launched its programme in New York on Thurs 29 September. Highlights inlcude more than 100 films from around the world, over 60 workshops, competitions, masterclasses and film related events.
Northern Irish actor Liam Neeson (Schindler's List) joined guests at the event which unveiled details for the forthcoming action packed festival - scheduled to run in Belfast for 17 days from 16 November - 2 December.
The fest is set to welcome a host of local and international guests including acclaimed film music composer Patrick Doyle (Thor, Rise of The Planet of the Apes), Belfast actor Martin McCann (Killing Bono, Clash of the Titans), BFI associate tutor and Alfred Hitchcock historian Sandra Shevy, BAFTA Award winning Irish director Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy, Wallander), Oscar-nominated writer Tim Loane (Dance Lexie Dance), Coleraine actress Michelle Fairley (Best: His Mother’s Son, Game of Thrones), costume designer Susan Scott (Parked, Cupcake) and returning for a sixth consecutive year, film critic and broadcaster Mark Kermode will be ‘In Conversation’ with the Belfast audiences ahead of a screening of ‘The Buddy Holly Story’ and a special book signing.
Opening the festival is Victor Fleming’s 1939 classic ‘The Wizard of Oz’, which was voted Northern Ireland’s favourite film in a 2010 Cinemagic poll. The festival will give young audiences a special treat with previews of the much anticipated ‘Happy Feet 2’ 3D and ‘Puss in Boots’ 3D.
Animated screenings include French mystery ‘A Cat in Paris’ and Oscar-nominated Irish production ‘The Secret of Kells’, and World Cinema at the festival is a cultural whistle-stop tour of countries such as Germany, America, Kenya, Iceland, Norway, Holland and Russia with films including ‘Another Earth’, ‘Lost in Africa’, ‘Winter’s Daughter’, ‘Jess and Moss’, ‘Jitters’ and ‘The Secret Letter’.
Other programming strands include Documentary (Circus Dreams, Rio Breaks, In Sunshine or In Shadow), and an Anime section with six of the latest and greatest anime films including ‘Tekken Blood Vengeance 3D’, ‘Welcome to the Space Show’ and ‘Bleach Movie 3’. Anniversary screenings, classic and Student Film Nights are all covered with screening of comedy western ‘City Slickers’, cult classic ‘The Outsiders’ for Student Film Night and classics including ‘Meet me in St Louis’ and ‘Seven Brides for Seven Brothers’.
The Education programme includes a special HBO ‘Game of Thrones’ showcase (for young people aged 16+) and a host of workshops and special events - from Jury’s Out film reviewing to BAFTA Inside the World of Horrible Histories.
Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive said “Cinemagic is extremely proud to present its 21st Festival offering a huge range for film and television events for young people. Funded by Northern Ireland Screen supported by DCAL and with Title Sponsor Coca-Cola, and all sponsors, Cinemagic is able to create new opportunities for young people through moving image and in doing so, inspire, motivate and educate.”
The winning festival films will be announced by the panel of young people on the festival Jury at the Gala Awards Ceremony in Belfast City Hall on December 1st. The festival is also currently running the ‘Cast Away’ podcast challenge, themed on the Titanic centenary and being run in association with Titanic Belfast in the lead up to 2012.
The Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People is funded by Northern Ireland Screen supported by DCAL. For further information or to book tickets in advance, please visit
www.cinemagic.org.uk.
