Written in partnership with Kody Boye
Image credit: Cinemagic
Youth is the future of entertainment, and Cinemagic assures that the film industry is in safe hands. The Cinemagic Gala for Young People aims to educate young people through film and television, showcasing a variety of content and events.
The organization promotes art through film, teaching youth aged 4-25 skills and offering opportunities, while engaging in other philanthropic activities. Some of their general content includes movie showings and film discussions. Cinemagic has also produced two future films, over 150 short films, and have worked on award-winning “behind the scenes” documentaries.
One of their most celebrated projects is partnering with Los Angeles schools, offering classes and providing a platform to showcase their work in film. Since Cinemagic’s first program in 2010, a range of masterclasses covering all aspects of a film production are taught.
Image credit: Cinemagic
They tailor their workshops to themes that anyone can relate to, such as mental health, the environment, and friendship. Cinemagic prides itself on “working on common goals despite coming from different backgrounds.” This is shown through their programs, which are free of charge, so there is no financial barrier for the students.
Cinemagic is dedicated to working with educators throughout the whole process to provide the best education for the young people. They make sure to consult with educators multiple times a year, making sure their topics and projects resonate with youth. They also keep up healthy positive personal relationships with many of their educators, ensuring a consistent and strong program.
With support from renowned industry professionals such as Emmy award winning TV Producer Jillian King and others Cinemagic provides quality content and education for their students. They also work on filmmaking projects with youth on an annual basis, and hope to continue with the program with no plans of stopping.
One memorable story from Cinemagic is their film Heaven on Earth, which comes from a personal story of Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Jordan High School student Heaven Watson. The film highlights her environmental activism while working through various environment-related health concerns. The film was made in collaboration with The British Consulate Los Angeles and the GREAT Programme, the United Kingdom’s flagship international marketing campaign.
Image credit: Cinemagic
Beyond film, Cinemagic is committed to charity work. In Northern Ireland, they are working with youth to combat poverty and hunger, collaborating with local food banks. Partnering with the South Belfast Foodbank, Cinemagic hosts monthly family film screenings in the Ulster Museum, where audiences are invited to donate an essential item or food item needed by the Foodbank.
The initiative is now spread into regional communities, educating young people on the root causes of poverty and promoting justice. Since its launch in January 2022, the project is reported to have raised over four tons in food donations, about 10,000 meals for local communities in Northern Ireland.
Cinemagic culminates its reach into their film and television festivals for youth, found in Belfast, Dublin, Los Angeles, and in the whole of Northern Ireland. With a variety of opportunities for youth, they showcase films in this international festival, especially focusing on youth issues and social issues. Their festival, both competitive and non-competitive, gives a voice for young filmmakers to participate in film festivals, which may be a difficult opportunity when breaking into the business.
Cinemagic plans to continue its practices and events, as well as expand to wider audiences in the future. They wish to continue offering filmmaking opportunities and projects on an annual basis for youth. While their activities remain the same, they are constantly reviewing their goals and reevaluating their educating models, so expect Cinemagic to continue to thrive for years to come.
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