Cinemagic has launched its annual call for young film enthusiasts, aged 10 – 18, to take on the role of film consultants and help select the films for this year’s festival. The Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film & Television Festival for Young People will take place in Belfast from 18th November- 4th December 2009. The award winning festival will be action packed with fascinating events for film fans that include over one hundred film screenings, masterclasses with film and television industry guests, workshops for schools, a festival jury panel and Q&A’s.

Over the course of a three day workshop in Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast (6th - 8th July inclusive), the young consultants will work with the Cinemagic team to help steer the choice of films for the festival, as they watch and critique films from around the globe. Over the years Cinemagic has welcomed hundreds of young people to the young consultants panel and they have contributed greatly to the organisation of the festival, as well as introducing their schools and teachers to the variety of workshops and films on offer in November.

If you are a budding young film critic, then this is a fantastic opportunity to meet like-minded young people, and have fun deciding the content of the largest film festival for young people in Ireland and the UK. The lucky young people who become film consultants will also contribute ideas for the festival programme, and help with the marketing and promotion of festival events.

Chris Shaw, Cinemagic Film Programmer explains what the young consultants can look forward to:

“Cinemagic, now in its 19th year, is dedicated to providing new and exciting opportunities for young people with all interests in film. The young film consultants will have the opportunity to watch and review international films that they would not normally have access to, so as well as being fun, the three day event will expand the young people’s understanding of the different genres of film and world cultures. The workshops will provide lots of opportunities for debate and a lively platform for young people to interact with each other and exchange their views on film”.

How to apply to be a Young Consultant:
Applicants aged 10-18 with a keen interest in film and the enthusiasm to work within a group should apply for a place by writing/emailing a letter telling Cinemagic why they would like to be a Cinemagic Young Film Consultant, and include a review of their favourite film. This information, along with name, address, age, telephone number, email address and name of school/college should be sent to Claire Baxter, Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast, BT7 1JL or claire@cinemagic.org.uk. All applications should be received no later than Monday 22nd June 2009. Successful applicants will be contacted after this date with further details.

Do you enjoy watching films? Would you like to share your views on what you see on the screen with others? Ever thought of being a film critic?

If so, this year’s Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival is currently selecting a jury panel of 10 to 18 year olds to judge short and feature films. The panel will be required to watch all of the films that are being screened in competition during the Festival (13- 27 November) and to choose a number of winning entries.

Chris Shaw, Cinemagic Programmer, explains what is involved in the role:

“As a jury member you will spend 15 fun filled days with the Festival team, helping to decide the winners of ‘Best Feature Film for a Children’s Audience’ and ‘Best Short Film for a Children’s Audience’. These categories will be judged by a jury of 10 to 14 year olds, whilst a panel of 15 to 18 year olds will vote for ‘Best Feature for a Teenage Audience’ and ‘Best Short Film for a Teenage Audience. Jury members will have a great opportunity to meet industry professionals and to present the awards at Odeon Cinemas on 28 November. It also offers young people the chance to meet others with a similar passion for film and to make new friends, whilst expanding your understanding of the different genres of film.”

To be in with a chance to sit on the jury simply write an imaginative letter or e-mail, no longer than 300 words, explaining why you would like to be on the jury and send it by Monday 10 November 2008 to: Jury Competition, Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL or email: claire@cinemagic.org.uk You must have permission from your parent/guardian to be a jury member and be able to arrange your own transport to and from the Festival.

The 20 fascinating ‘in competition’ feature films in the ‘Around The World’ programme include the magical animated tale of an elf’s quest to save the world, in the UK Preview of ‘ A Quest for a Heart’ (16 Nov), the fun-filled Japanese animation ‘Komaneko’ (22 Nov), the UK Preview of Spanish fantasy animation ‘Nocturna’ (22 Nov), the Irish Preview of Norwegian family mystery ‘The 10 Lives of Titanic The Cat’ (15 Nov), the UK Preview of powerful Danish drama ‘Worlds Apart’ (21 Nov), and the story of life as a 13 year old girl in Irish drama ‘32A’ (19 Nov) directed by Marian Quinn. The festival runs from 13th November – 5th December 2008.

For further information on the opportunities that exist visit www.cinemagic.org.uk to find out more! Tickets for festival films can be purchased online from the Cinemagic website or from the Belfast Welcome Centre, 47 Donegall Place Belfast, Tel: 02890 24 66 09.

Ends//
For more information on this press release contact Claire Baxter, Cinemagic Press & Marketing Officer on 028 90 311 900 or email claire@cinemagic.org.uk

Claire Baxter
Press & Marketing Officer
Cinemagic
49 Botanic Avenue
Belfast
BT7 1JL

Tel: 028 90 311 900
Mobile: 07793025910

CINEMAGIC OFFERING TOP MASTERCLASSES WITH MEDIA PROFESSIONALS AT FESTIVAL ‘TALENT LAB’



Young people aged 16-25, keen to get an inside track on the film and television industry can do just that in November, as the Coca-Cola Cinemagic Film and Television Festival returns with the hugely successful ‘Talent Lab’ event sponsored by Invest Northern Ireland. Promising to be a fantastic mix of creativity, fun and learning, the ‘Talent Lab’ masterclasses will run from 27 - 28 November in BBC Northern Ireland and Belfast Metropolitan College at the Castlereagh Building.




Masterclasses include Radio Production with Dermot O’Leary (Radio 2), Acting with Chris Rankin (Percy Weasley in the Harry Potter movie series) and Joe Dempsie (Skins), Magazine Publishing with Barry McIlheney (emap), Audition Preparation with Casting Director Ros Hubbard (The Lord of The Rings trilogy), Cinematography with Denis Crossan (Pink Panther 2), Film Production with BAFTA chairman David Parfitt (A Bunch of Amateurs), Scriptwriting with Ben Schiffer (Skins), and Production Design and Art Direction with Jason Carlin.



Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive, encourages young people aged 16 -25 to get involved: “With support from Invest NI, and Belfast Metropolitan College, Cinemagic is once again able to offer a fantastic series of ‘Talent Lab’ masterclasses for young people interested in learning about the media industry. All of the masterclass participants will be given first-hand advice and learn valuable skills from the industry professionals over the two intense days. It’s a chance to network with other like-minded people and pick up top tips from the masterclass hosts, and the most promising participants will be commended at a special awards ceremony in Odeon Cinemas on 28 November.”



Paul Brush, Invest NI’s Head of Entrepreneurship Development, said: “It is important that young people in Northern Ireland are made aware of the opportunities that exist in the creative industries such as television and film. By developing their skills and encouraging them to use their enterprising talents in this high-growth sector, we can help Northern Ireland to compete globally as an even more attractive location for international productions.”



Raymond Mullan, Director and Chief Executive of Belfast Metropolitan College said: “We are delighted to host the Cinemagic “Talent Lab” Masterclasses again this year. This is a fantastic cultural initiative which brings the world of film and media to the doorstep of not only the Belfast Met student but also students throughout Northern Ireland.”



To apply for any of the ‘Talent Lab’ masterclasses simply explain in a short letter or email why you are interested in participating and why you think you deserve a place. Include the name of the masterclass you are applying for, your name, age, address (including postcode), phone number, and email address. Send your entry to Peter Killops, Talent Lab, Cinemagic, 49 Botanic Avenue, Belfast BT7 1JL or email peter@cinemagic.org.uk. For further information telephone Cinemagic on 028 90 311 900. Each masterclass costs £40.00 per person (unless otherwise stated). Do not include any payment with your application. Cinemagic will contact successful applicants with details on registration.



The Coca-Cola Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival runs in Belfast from 13th November- 5th December 2008 and it includes more than 100 film screenings and over 40 different workshops, competitions, masterclasses and film-related events. For programme information visit www.cinemagic.org.uk.

Film Box Office, Belfast Welcome Centre 028 90 24 66 09.





For further information on this press release please contact Claire Baxter, Press & Marketing Officer at Cinemagic on 028 90 311 900 or email claire@cinemagic.org.uk