By: Sarah Morton
Cinemagic’s Film and Television Festival for Young People recently hosted its illustrious Los Angeles Showcase, a glamorous affair that drew the crème de la crème of the entertainment world. On June 28th, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica served as the enchanting venue for this prestigious event, generously sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport, NI Connections, and the NI Bureau. Among the 500 distinguished guests were luminaries such as actors Junes B. Zahdi and Kevin Ryan, along with notable attendees like Maire Campbell, Gia Salazar, Laurie Burke, and the iconic Amy Yasbeck and Maxwell Caulfield, all gracing the red carpet with their presence. Celebrated as a pinnacle event on LA’s social calendar, this charity gala remains a must-attend spectacle. Cinemagic CEO Joan Burney Keatings MBE, along with the deft orchestration of the award-winning Jane Owen Public Relations firm, ensured an unforgettable evening.
The showcase featured the premiere of Cinemagic’s latest short films, produced in both Los Angeles and Northern Ireland, underscoring the organization’s dedication to nurturing young talent and fostering cross-continental creative collaborations. This event culminated a week-long, inspiring program for young participants from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles, offering them unparalleled opportunities to engage with and learn from industry professionals.
Celebrating its 15th year, Cinemagic Los Angeles stands as a global beacon in the creative industries, equipping young minds with the resources to realize their potential. The showcase crowned a robust program that included exclusive talks at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills and immersive tours of leading film and TV studios. Students from 12 schools and colleges across Northern Ireland and Los Angeles explored Warner Bros. Discovery and Imagine Entertainment, gaining insights from industry stalwarts like Emmy-winning TV Producer Jillian King and James Longman, Executive Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden.
Photo Courtesy: Jane Owen PR for Cinemagic
The IGNITE youth leadership initiative, backed by George Best Belfast City Airport, was a cornerstone of this enriching experience. Sixteen teenagers from Belfast, representing the IGNITE initiative, collaborated with their Los Angeles counterparts on short film projects such as ‘Dream Notes’ and ‘Heaven on Earth.’ These collaborative efforts offered invaluable hands-on filmmaking experience and a platform for young creatives to express their artistic visions.
Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Cinemagic’s visionary CEO, shared her excitement, stating, “We are immensely proud to collaborate with such esteemed organizations from both Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. The collective ethos of all involved has empowered Cinemagic to deliver unparalleled opportunities for young creatives.”
Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer at George Best Belfast City Airport, emphasized the importance of nurturing future leaders, saying, “At Belfast City Airport, we are passionate about developing tomorrow’s workforce and supporting young people to become future leaders. Through our IGNITE program, these young individuals have already demonstrated remarkable potential and achievements.”
Moira Loughran, Head of NI Connections, expressed her enthusiasm, “Partnering with Cinemagic for the Los Angeles Showcase has been a fantastic opportunity to spotlight the immense talent of our youth from Northern Ireland and foster valuable industry connections in the USA.”
Photo Courtesy: Jane Owen PR for Cinemagic
Andrew Elliott, Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, reflected on the event’s impact, “Collaborating with Cinemagic Los Angeles has been a pleasure. It has inspired our future leaders and highlighted the vibrant potential within Northern Ireland’s Creative Industries.”
The Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase transcended the realm of mere event, becoming a celebration of young talent, creativity, and the boundless possibilities of international collaboration. By providing a prestigious platform for these young filmmakers to present their work and connect with industry giants, Cinemagic continues to chart the course for the next generation of creative trailblazers.
Published by: Holy Minoza
