Cinemagic NY Unites Filmmakers from NY and Northern Ireland, Now thru 5/10

Over the course of a week, from 6th-10th May Cinemagic New York will bring young people from Northern Ireland and New York together to engage in an action packed programme of film screenings, workshops and masterclasses, taking place in schools and venues across the city, including Hearst Tower, Sesame Workshop and the New York Irish Centre.

One of the highlights of the week is the Cinemagic Atlantic Animation Project, which will bring young people together from New York and Northern Ireland to learn and share their experiences, and their visual work will then be screened at a Cinemagic showcase in Hearst Tower on the last day of the festival.

34 students and staff in 6 Special Schools - Harberton Special School, Glenveagh School, Fleming Fulton, Cedar Lodge, Mitchell House and Clarawood School from Belfast have teamed up with schools in New York - STAR Academy and The UN School in Manhattan to explore the area of cultural diversity through the medium of Moving Image Arts with a shared focus on developing friendships and learning from film and television professionals.

Over the last six weeks the pupils on both sides of the Atlantic have been communicating with one another and the visit to New York give them the chance to explore various areas of the animation industry, story boarding, set design, character creation, capturing and editing. The project has offered opportunities to experience new things, exchange ideas and express themselves in ways they might never have been given the opportunity to do before.

Joan Burney Keatings, Cinemagic Chief Executive said "With the support of our funders and partners we are delighted to be returning to New York to offer an action packed festival that showcases young talent and gives young people the opportunity to view film from around the world, and participate in filmmaking workshops and masterclasses. We are excited about engaging and forming new links with schools and creating lasting relationships across the Atlantic between Belfast and New York."

Carál Ní Chuilín, Arts Minister, commented "I am delighted that my Department is able to support Cinemagic. Their work both in Ireland and internationally continues to provide young people with fantastic experiences. It also demonstrates the innovation and determination of the Cinemagic team to position themselves at the forefront of creativity on an international stage. Congratulations to all involved"

Norman Houston Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau added "The magic of cinema has never been more alive than it is today, and it is now within reach for many young people of Northern Ireland because of the work of Cinemagic. It brings movie stars, scripts, the magic of behind the scenes to the next generation of visionaries and shows them that, through this particular artistic medium, they can show the world that they have something to say. The Cinemagic team works tirelessly to integrate cultures both North and South of the border in Ireland and now even to cultures across the Atlantic in New York and Los Angeles, where the young people get to share ideas and notions and dreams."