Cinemagic hosted its annual festival in Los Angeles on March 10th, and Good Celebrity was there to cover the action on the red carpet.
Founded 25 years ago, the organization educates inspires and motivates more than 40,000 children around the world through cinematography, said Joan Burney Keatings, Chief Executive of Cinemagic.
The UK-based organization gives young people opportunities to express creativity through the art of film, television and digital technologies. It offers education, workshops, outreach and filmmaking opportunities to underprivileged children in the US and Europe.
Cinemagic started hosting the week-long festival in LA in 2010. The event brings together children from diverse backgrounds with an interest and throws them in the trenches of the industry.
The young participants meet with teams at studios like HBO, Fox and Warner Bros. for real-world insight on the business they dream of working in, said Burney Keatings.
“I really believe that kids being involved in the arts, and specifically film, is so important,” said Caroline Barry during the event.
As previously reported by Good Celebrity, Cinemagic produced its first full-length feature last year titled “A Christmas Star.” The film was written and directed by the Cinemagic children with the help of award-winning filmmakers. It also stars children who participated in the charity’s programs in Ireland, along with big-name actors including Pierce Brosnan and Liam Neeson.
Brosnan is a continuous supporter of Cinemagic and even inspired Ross King to jump on board, literally.
“I joined the board because of a very important person, James Bond,” said King. “Pierce Brosnan said to me, ‘You’re going to host this event. You’re going to be on the board.’ When James Bond tells you to do something, you have to do it. It’s a wonderful charity, and I really do feel honored to be a part of it.”
“It does so many incredible things through a medium you think it all glitz and glamor. It brings out kids, it brings out their personalities, and it makes them different people in a lovely way,” he added.
Fellow supporter, Amy Willerton, took a moment to chat with Good Celebrity about her support for the organization and said, “I know how difficult it is to get into the industry. Cinemagic provides an opportunity for kids with underprivileged backgrounds to meet directors, work with them and create a lovely film.”
She also supports other organizations centered on children, specifically those with disabilities, because of close ties to her family experience.
“I have a severely disabled brother, so I’ve always supported charities for the disabled specifically Milestone Trust and St. Christopher’s School in Bristol,” she added.
Damian McGinty worked with the young participants first-hand during the LA festival and took a moment to discuss his feelings with us about the group.
“I’m grateful for the opportunities they’re giving the young people,” he said. “It’s a platform that wasn’t really available when I was growing up when I wanted to do this.”
“I can tell they’re all so excited and they’re all so grateful,” he added.
Check out all of our interviews from Cinemagic’s LA festival in the clip above and stay linked to GoodCelebrity.com for more positive news about your favorite stars!