A Night of Stars: Cinemagic’s Los Angeles Showcase Illuminates Young Talent

The Cinemagic Film and Television Festival for Young People recently hosted its much-anticipated Los Angeles Showcase, an event that brought together luminaries from the film, TV, and entertainment industries. Held on June 28th at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, the showcase was sponsored by George Best Belfast City Airport, NI Connections, and the NI Bureau. The event welcomed 500 esteemed guests, including notable figures such as actors Junes B. Zahdi, and Kevin Ryan, along with a stellar cast of attendees like Maire Campbell, Gia Salazar, and Laurie Burke, and celebrities like the beautiful and legendary Amy Yasbeck and Maxwell Caulfield who walked the red on red carpet. The event is widely celebrated as a highlight of the LA social calendar and a must-attend charity affair. Hosted by Cinemagic CEO Joan Burney Keatings MBE, and expertly organized for over a decade by the award-winning Jane Owen Public Relations firm, it leaves a lasting impression on all attendees.

Cinemagic premiered its latest short films, produced in both Los Angeles and Northern Ireland, highlighting the organization’s commitment to nurturing young talent and fostering international connections. The showcase marked the end of an inspiring week-long program for young people from Northern Ireland and Los Angeles, offering them unique opportunities to learn from and connect with top industry professionals.

Now in its 15th year, Cinemagic Los Angeles continues to be a global leader in the creative industries, providing young people with the tools and opportunities to unlock their potential. The showcase was the highlight of a comprehensive program that included exclusive talks at The Maybourne Hotel in Beverly Hills and tours of major film and TV studios. Participants from 12 schools and colleges in Northern Ireland and Los Angeles visited Warner Bros. Discovery and Imagine Entertainment, where they heard from industry experts like Emmy-winning TV Producer Jillian King and James Longman, Executive Producer of The Late Late Show with James Corden.

The IGNITE youth leadership initiative, supported by George Best Belfast City Airport, played a crucial role in the program. Sixteen teenagers from Belfast, representing the IGNITE initiative, collaborated with their Los Angeles peers on short film projects, including ‘Dream Notes’ and ‘Heaven on Earth.’ These collaborations provided the young participants with invaluable hands-on experience in filmmaking and an opportunity to showcase their creativity.

Joan Burney Keatings MBE, CEO of Cinemagic, expressed her enthusiasm for the event, stating, “We were incredibly proud to collaborate with so many incredible organizations from both Northern Ireland and Los Angeles. The shared ethos among everyone involved was a catalyst for Cinemagic to offer the highest quality opportunities for young people in the creative industries.”

Michelle Hatfield, Chief People and Marketing Officer at George Best Belfast City Airport, highlighted the importance of supporting young talent, saying, “At Belfast City Airport, we were passionate about building the workforce of tomorrow and championing young people to become future leaders. Through our IGNITE program, the young people had already achieved great things and shown incredible potential.”

Moira Loughran, Head of NI Connections, added, “We were delighted to partner with Cinemagic as a sponsor of the Los Angeles Showcase. It was a fantastic opportunity to help and highlight the immense talent of our young people from Northern Ireland and to make valuable industry connections in the USA.”

Andrew Elliott, Director of the Northern Ireland Bureau, reflected on the success of the event, saying, “It was such a pleasure to partner with Cinemagic Los Angeles, which helped shape our future leaders and provided them with the inspiration to be part of Northern Ireland’s flourishing Creative Industries.”

The Cinemagic Los Angeles Showcase was not just an event; it was a celebration of young talent, creativity, and the power of international collaboration. By providing these young filmmakers with a platform to showcase their work and connect with industry professionals, Cinemagic continues to pave the way for the next generation of creative leaders.