Fantastic feast of films on offer at Cinemagic

The programme launch was marked with a special Q&A in Odyssey Cinemas with actor, James Nesbitt, who stars in Peter Jackson’s much anticipated December release The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. The Q&A was a taster of what the Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival, funded by Northern Ireland Screen supported by DCAL, will entail, with film previews from around the world, including gala opening ‘Pitch Perfect’ (Universal Pictures), and ‘Rise of The Guardians’ (DreamWorks Animation), documentaries (Chasing Ice), classic cinema, short films, a retrospective on the Coen Brothers, Director Q&A’s and education workshops. Returning for the seventh consecutive year is film critic and broadcaster, Mark Kermode, who will treat audiences to his views on the year’s film releases before a screening of his festival pick, Jeremy! The Cinemagic Gala Awards, in Belfast City Hall, on November 29 will celebrate the winning films of the festival and the achievements of young filmmakers.

Throughout the Cinemagic Festival young people can participate in industry events including the Talent Lab masterclasses, featuring screen writer Moira Buffini (Jayne Eyre, Byzantium), actor Larry Lamb (Eastenders, Gavin and Stacey), casting agents John and Ros Hubbard (The Hobbit, The Lord of The Rings), Aisling Walsh (Song for a Raggy Boy, Room at the Top), costume designer Michael O’Connor (The Duchess The Last King of Scotland), director Brian Kirk (Game of Thrones, Boardwalk Empire), production designer Tom McCullough (The Fall, Hunger) and production managers Terry Bamber (The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy, Quantum of Solace ) and David Cain (The Phantom of the Opera, Hannibal Rising).

The Coen Brothers spotlight features a preview of Gambit, starring Colin Firth and Cameron Diaz, comedy-thriller, The Big Lebowski and adventure-comedy Raising Arizona. New Irish cinema offerings include Dollhouse, written and directed by Kirsten Sheridan and What Richard Did directed by Lenny Abrahamson which will mark the opening of the Takeover Film Festival co-ordinated by young people with support from Queen’s Film Theatre and Cinemagic.

World Cinema not to be missed includes German drama Lessons of a Dream, starring Daniel Bruhl (The Bourne Ultimatum, Goodbye Lenin), Kauwboy from the Netherlands, a portrait of a young boy struggling to find a balance between reality and desire, and Argentinian made Beauty, which explores culture and identity.

Workshops and special events in the education programme include short film production, a history of silent film with Dr Des O’Rawe, creative storytelling with Tim Loane, Irish History Live and Film- A Night to Remember, Bringing Cinema alive with music with Dirk Brosse.

The Cinemagic November Festival Jury is open to young people aged up to 18 who are passionate about film watching and reviewing. Email [email protected] to register for a place on the jury panel before November 9.

Cinemagic is looking for short films made by young people 12-25 years old for its annual Young Filmmaker Competition. Email [email protected] to enter before October 26.

To view the Cinemagic Festival Programme online visit www.cinemagic.org.uk