The festival provides an opportunity for Northern Ireland’s young people to get hands on-experience in film making and understand how films are animated, directed, classified and promoted. Each year the festival uses film, television and all forms of moving image to entertain, educate, inspire and broaden understanding and awareness of the media industries among young people aged between 4-25 years.
It is now the largest children and young people’s film event in the UK and Ireland, engaging with over 500,000 young people and screening over 3,000 films. Thousands of young people have gone on to have very successful jobs in the industry.
Speaking at an awards ceremony to celebrate the work of the festival, the Minister said: “Through this festival, Cinemagic continues to inspire young people to find something exciting, create something new and do something different. It ensures our next generation think in new ways and bring new ideas and creativity to enrich our society and drive change.
“Cinemagic is designed for and by young people and is driven by their interests and enthusiasm and I am pleased that my Department has been able to provide support for this project. It is very important to spend time learning and making future plans when you are young, but equally important is taking time to reflect on your achievements. I welcome the opportunity to be here this evening to celebrate these achievements and I hope that Cinemagic will continue to thrive and celebrate another 20 years of success.”
The festival programme also included an array of preview screenings, workshops for schools, special film events, Q&A’s, a Cinemagic Young Filmmaker Competition, and a masterclasses in all aspects of television and filmmaking.