Cross-border creative programme 'Cinemagic' brings youth filmmakers to Hollywood

An award winning registered film charity, Cinemagic aims to unite young children across the island of Ireland.

35 years since its inception, Cinemagic continues to inspire young people living in both Ireland and Northern Ireland, specifically those with different community backgrounds who otherwise would not have had the opportunity to meet and collaborate.

We sat down with Cinemagic’s CEO, Joan Burney Keatings MBE, to discuss the past, present and future of Cinemagic, and the impact the foundation has had on generations of Irish and Northern Irish youth.

With a history dating back through the Troubles, Cinemagic started life working with children through film screenings, workshops and storytelling, to help break down barriers and foster mutual respect among students by learning about each other’s cultures and identities.

Films with social impact

“We now work with over 40,000 young people a year, with a very clear focus on making numerous short films on social impact issues, issues that young people want to talk about,” explains Burney Keatings.

Cinemagic works with young people aged 4 to 25, offering them unique opportunities in the film and television industry. Participants gain practical experiences learn from industry professionals, and create their own stories, often focusing on socially impactful issues that matter to them.

They have produced 150 short films and 2 feature films over the years, allowing students to learn about the filmmaking process and develop skills across each stage of production, from drafting a script to editing the final cut.

Cinemagic in Los Angeles

20 years ago, Burney Keatings expanded Cinemagic to Dublin to continue to promote cross border activity and maximise the programme’s visibility. 15 years ago, she took the huge step to expand the programme to Los Angeles, the home of Hollywood and the entertainment industry.

“When I came here, 15 years ago, I did not know anybody. I didn't know anywhere in LA, and I certainly didn't know how to access schools, or any sponsors... but, I had such a strong compassionate feeling that I wanted to bring young people from Ireland to LA to give them exposure to not only the film industry here, but also young people their age from different communities in LA.”

Since then, Burney Keatings and Cinemagic have developed a unique programme, with generous partners making the annual trip to Los Angeles possible.

Now, every year in June, a cohort of young people from Ireland come to Los Angeles for a week where they visit top studios to meet with CEOs, directors and producers, conduct outreach work with young people based in Los Angeles, and put all these skills together to produce their very own annual short film.

While in Los Angeles, the group networks with members of the film industry and showcases their work as part of Cinemagic to new audiences, at a reception hosted by the Consulate General of Ireland in Los Angeles. The students meet with the vibrant Irish community in Southern California, and get the opportunity to interview the Consul General, Marcella Smyth.

This annual interview is a true highlight, and allows the cohort to imagine what “a [diplomatic] career could look and feel like and what this job entails,” says Burney Keatings.

The open and welcoming manner of the interview, she says, “is amazing because suddenly they [the young people] can go – ‘Oh I can see it, this could maybe be an option or I can see how all this works'."

This interview also demonstrates to students what the Irish government does on a day-to-day basis, to strengthen relationships with their host countries and within the Irish community.

A focus on peace and reconciliation

“[Cinemagic] gets the opportunity to apply for funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs every year to produce peace and reconciliation short films in Northern Ireland”, explains Burney Keatings. The Department’s Reconciliation Fund, in operation since 1982, has provided funding to Cinemagic on several occasions over the last number of years, and the organisation plans to showcase their latest peace and reconciliation film in Los Angeles this November.

“[Cinemagic] gets the opportunity to apply for funding from the Department of Foreign Affairs every year to produce peace and reconciliation short films in Northern Ireland,” explains Burney Keatings.They plan to show their newest peace and reconciliation film in Los Angeles this November.

Additionally in 2023, with support from the Department through the Embassy of Ireland in Jordan, Cinemagic produced “Abia” - a short film about gender-based violence in the Middle East. This film went on to win Best Foreign Language Short at the British Short Film Awards.

Last year for International Women’s Day, the Irish Consulate in partnership with the Consulate General of Mexico, one of the largest diplomatic missions in the USA, screened “Abia” in Los Angeles. . “Abia” was also presented to the General Assembly in New York as part of their International Women’s Day programme.

Cinemagic Gala

The week in Los Angeles culminates with the Cinemagic Gala at the Fairmont Hotel in Santa Monica.

On the first day of their visit to Los Angeles, students are required to devise a musical performance, which they will then perform in front of over 500 industry professionals at the Gala. “Now, these young people don't want to be singers or dancers on the stage, but what we always say is if you can break through this and do this, then you can do anything,” explains Burney Keatings.

On top of this performance, Cinemagic also present a recap of the activities the students undertook throughout the week, as well as some of the films produced during the previous year. Of the Gala, she says: “It’s a really great showcase for Ireland to show the talent that we have there, and it also shows the connections and the relationships we've built up here in America”.

How to participate in Cinemagic

Cinemagic continues to offer numerous opportunities for young people to get involved.

The organisation runs cross-border Film Academies and various events throughout the year, ensuring that young people from all backgrounds can participate and benefit from its programs.

Through its innovative programs and strong partnerships, Cinemagic demonstrates the transformative power of film and storytelling in building bridges and creating lasting connections.

Anyone can apply to participate in Cinemagic at cinemagic.org.uk. Events take place throughout the year, such as the Cross Border Film Academy. Queries about the application process can be sent to Joan Burney Keatings at joan@cinemagic.org.uk.