Welcome to Behind the Fest, Backstage’s questionnaire series with film festival figures looking for that next big festival hit. Featuring behind-the-scenes insight from the organizers and programmers at Sundance, TIFF, Cannes, and more fests from around the globe, these tips might just hold the key to your indie film success story!
For over 30 years, Cinemagic has focused on bringing the love of films and television to young people around the world. Their short film festival, On the Pulse, is among the leading youth organisations in the U.K. and Ireland. Cinemagic also reaches across the pond with initiatives in both L.A. and New York—with Saoirse Ronan, Liam Neeson, and Pierce Brosnan among the organisation’s Patrons.
Cinemagic’s flagship youth festival, the Young Filmmaker Competition, is currently taking submissions through August. The crop of 2021 films will then be presented during the Cinemagic International Film Festival in October. Backstage spoke with Cinemagic’s Claire Shaw about the organisation’s mission and the importance of youth involvement in the film and TV industry.
What is the main purpose and mission of Cinemagic?
Our purpose is to inspire, motivate and educate young people through the medium of film and moving image. We want to create practical opportunities that give insight to the film and TV industry and place a lot of significance on skills development to help nurture talent and contribute to personal and employability skills. As a charity, our outlook is increasing young people’s access to cultural film, broadening horizons, and celebrating stories from around the world.
We believe that film has the power to stimulate debate and discussion, and it is accessible to young people from all backgrounds as a vehicle to open communication channels.
What is the selection and programming process like for Cinemagic’s numerous festivals? What types of film do you consider?
The festival strives to exhibit films about youth, youth issues, films with young people at the centre of them. The programming involves selection for annual Belfast and Dublin festivals, as well as bespoke film programs for jury panels, school projects, and special exhibition strands. We want films that will inspire the viewer and broaden understanding of the world around us.
How To Make a Film in the UK We are also extremely proud of our annual Young Filmmaker Competition open to filmmakers 25 and under from the U.K. and Ireland. We work passionately to provide a platform for young filmmakers to promote their work and avail of networking events with industry and with their peers.
What are the benefits for a young filmmaker submitting? Are there any specific success stories that come to mind?
Our Young Filmmaker Competition allows the winners to have their work screened at various Cinemagic events throughout the year and get the chance to work with Cinemagic alumni and industry professionals. We’ve had several past winners come back to give talks and share words of wisdom with the younger generation. Some filmmaker success stories are Michael Lennox [a live action short film Oscar nominee] and William McGregor [of HBO’s His Dark Materials].
Saoirse Ronan, Cinemagic Patron.
Are there other festival resources that filmmakers should know about?
Our YouTube channel is a fantastic resource with five-days-a-week programming including film reviews, tutorials, and highlights of festival events.
Do you have any advice for young filmmakers or their parents?
Be versatile. Watch as much film as possible and soak up all the opportunities out there to find out about the various roles in the industry and how they are interconnected from filmmaking right through to exhibition and distribution. For parents whose kids are interested in a career in film, I’d say watch as many indie films as possible, especially films on the festival circuits—that’s where you can find gems of films and stories told by diverse voices. Careers that are creative can bring wonderful opportunities to showcase and nurture talent and give a platform to important issues in society. There are so many disciplines in the film and television industry now that are attainable and give great enrichment to those working in them, from film marketing to film finance and health and safety, for example. Working in film isn’t just about directing or writing or acting. There are lots of career opportunities to be sought out.
Do you have a favourite film of all time?
I have been enjoying watching The Sound of Music again recently, as well as Mary Poppins, which actually both have young people at the centre of their stories!
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