In a testament to the power of nurturing young creative minds, Cinemagic, the esteemed film and television charity dedicated to youth empowerment, recently hosted an inspiring and celebratory event in collaboration with Imagine Entertainment in Los Angeles. This extraordinary day offered budding filmmakers a rare chance to delve into the inner workings of the film industry, gaining precious insights and inspiration from seasoned professionals.
The event unfolded at Imagine Entertainment’s headquarters, where the young participants engaged in immersive workshops, thought-provoking panel discussions, and exclusive behind-the-scenes tours of the illustrious production company. The day was marked by motivational talks from industry stalwarts, who shared their expertise and encouraged the aspiring filmmakers to pursue their dreams with fervor.
This collaboration was a crowning moment in Cinemagic’s week-long program in Los Angeles, aimed at celebrating and inspiring young talent from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. The program reached its zenith with the annual Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase on June 28th at the opulent Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica. This prestigious event, supported by a host of distinguished partners including Belfast City Airport, NI Connections, NI Bureau, and Screen Ireland, attracted 500 esteemed guests from the realms of film, television, entertainment, and business.
Cinemagic Showcase: A Platform for Emerging Talent
The Showcase prominently featured participants from the Belfast City Airport IGNITE programme, as well as the premiere screenings of Cinemagic’s latest short films produced by young creatives from Los Angeles and Northern Ireland. These screenings provided a vital platform for youth to express their creativity and establish essential industry connections. The event underscored Cinemagic’s pivotal role as a global leader in the creative industries, dedicated to nurturing young talent and celebrating international success stories.
Throughout the week, students from 12 schools and colleges across Northern Ireland and Los Angeles were privy to exclusive talks at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, in addition to masterclasses and tours of premier film and TV studios. Esteemed speakers, including Emmy-winning TV Producer Jillian King, Warner Bros Entertainment’s EVP Dan Dark OBE, ITV’s LA Correspondent Ross King MBE, Production Sound Engineer Peter Devlin, and independent producer Shelley Reid, shared invaluable knowledge and experiences with the attendees.
A Day of Inspiration and Aspiration
Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Chief Executive of Cinemagic, expressed her heartfelt gratitude and excitement: “Partnering with Imagine Entertainment has been an extraordinary experience. The knowledge and passion shared by the professionals at Imagine have truly inspired our young participants, igniting new aspirations and driving them to chase their dreams in the film industry.”
Imagine Entertainment, renowned for its critically acclaimed productions, welcomed the young creatives with open arms. Co-chairmen Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, along with their team, shared their personal journeys and offered practical advice on navigating the complex landscape of filmmaking.
One of the standout moments was a masterclass where participants pitched their own film ideas and received constructive feedback from the Imagine Entertainment team. This interactive session was instrumental in honing the young filmmakers’ skills and boosting their confidence.
The collaboration between Cinemagic and Imagine Entertainment highlights the critical importance of fostering young talent and providing opportunities to learn from industry luminaries. The event concluded on a high note, leaving participants inspired and eager to apply their newfound knowledge to future projects, marking the beginning of many promising careers in the film industry.
