Cinemagic, the acclaimed film and television charity for young people, celebrated a remarkable and inspirational day with Imagine Entertainment in Los Angeles. The event, which took place recently provided a unique opportunity for young talents to engage with industry professionals and gain invaluable insights into the world of filmmaking.
Participants spent the day at Imagine Entertainment's headquarters, where they attended workshops, participated in panel discussions, and enjoyed behind-the-scenes tours of the renowned production company's facilities. The day was filled with inspiring talks from industry veterans, offering guidance and encouragement to the budding filmmakers.
The collaboration with Imagine Entertainment was a highlight of Cinemagic’s week-long program in Los Angeles, designed to inspire and celebrate young talent from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. The program culminated in the annual Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase on June 28th at The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica. This prestigious event, in partnership with Belfast City Airport, is supported by NI Connections, and NI Bureau, The Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows, Santa Monica, The Maybourne Beverly Hills, Screen Ireland, BritWeek, ELMA, CIACLA, Loyola Marymount University, and will welcome 500 invited guests from the worlds of film, TV, entertainment, and business.
RELATED: Ulster University Hosts Over 200 Aspiring Young Film Makers as part of Belfast’s RENDR Festival
The Showcase featured Belfast City Airport IGNITE programme participants, and the premiere screening of Cinemagic’s latest short film productions, created by young people in Los Angeles and Northern Ireland. These films empower youth to unlock their creativity and build vital industry connections. The event underscored Cinemagic’s role as a global player in the creative industries, nurturing young talent and highlighting the organization’s international success stories.
Throughout the week, teenagers from 12 schools and colleges in Northern Ireland and Los Angeles engaged in exclusive talks at The Maybourne Beverly Hills, along with tours and masterclasses at top film and TV studios. Other esteemed guest speakers included Emmy-winning TV Producer Jillian King (Rachael, Red Table Talk); Dan Dark OBE, EVP of Worldwide Studio Operations at Warner Bros Entertainment; Ross King MBE, LA Correspondent for ITV Breakfast programmes; Peter Devlin, Production Sound Engineer (Black Panther, Star Trek); and Shelley Reid, entertainment business affairs executive and independent producer.
Joan Burney Keatings MBE, Chief Executive of Cinemagic, expressed her gratitude and excitement about the event: "We are thrilled to have partnered with Imagine Entertainment for this extraordinary experience. Our young participants were truly inspired by the knowledge and passion shared by the professionals at Imagine. This day has undoubtedly sparked new aspirations and motivated our participants to pursue their dreams in the film industry."
RELATED: 2024 awards set to celebrate the positive impact of social media
Imagine Entertainment, known for producing critically acclaimed films and television series, welcomed the young creatives with open arms. The company's co-chairmen, Brian Grazer and Ron Howard, along with other key team members, shared their journeys and offered practical advice on navigating the film industry.
One of the event highlights was a masterclass session where participants could pitch their own film ideas and receive feedback from Imagine Entertainment's team. This interactive experience allowed the young filmmakers to refine their skills and gain confidence in their creative abilities.
The collaboration between Cinemagic and Imagine Entertainment underscores the importance of nurturing young talent and providing them with opportunities to learn from the best in the industry. The event concluded with a sense of accomplishment and inspiration, leaving the participants eager to apply their newfound knowledge to their future projects.
Subscribe to our Sync NI newsletter for all the latest technology news, jobs and upcoming events in Northern Ireland.
Read Sync NI's latest quarterly magazine online for free here.
Visit Sync NI online for the latest technology news in Northern Ireland.
