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!

The post Cinemagic Inspires Budding Film Stars During Annual Los Angeles Festival appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.

On December 10, A Christmas Star, a heartwarming holiday film directed by and starring children, debuted at the Chinese Theatre in Hollywood, CA.

The movie premiere, presented by Cinemagic and Independent Television Network, boasted award-winning stars of the flick including Pierce Brosnan, Suranne Jones, Richard Clements and Liam Neeson. Despite all the celebrity power on the red carpet, the up-and-coming actors stole the spotlight the night of the premiere.

A Christmas Star is the inspiring creation of Cinemagic, an organization providing children with opportunities to take classes and workshops to learn more about the film industry. This is the UK-based charity’s first production.

“It’s been an honour and a privilege to work on this truly unique Cinemagic project,” Liam Neeson said. “A Christmas Star is the first film of its kind, bringing together the talent and expertise of accomplished industry professionals together with the imagination and enthusiasm of our young generation in Belfast. The result is a heart-warming and magical story told through the eyes of an innocent child. The message, that love prevails, really captures the true spirit of Christmas.”

In addition to Brosnan and Neeson’s tremendous talent, Academy, BAFTA and Tony award-winning professionals were on-hand to mentor these young professionals through the filmmaking process.

Set in Pottersglen in Northern Ireland, the holiday film follows a young girl, portrayed by Erin Galway-Kendrick, who tries to save her town from a villainous developer. Born under a Christmas star, Erin’s character believes she can perform miracles, so she teams up with a group of misfit children to stop the town’s demolition.

“I hope that this Christmas story brings warmth, laughter and magic into living rooms across the world. That it might ignite the possibility that we all have magical talents and inspire us to search for our purpose in life- to rally against evil and stand up for what we believe in,” Maire Campbell, writer of the film, said.

About Cinemagic

The nonprofit organization launched in 1989 in Belfast. Cinemagic gives children the resources to learn about new cultures and develop skills to boost their confidence in life and filmmaking.

The organization’s festival is the largest film event for young people in Ireland and the UK. It brings together more than 35,000 people each year. Thanks to its success, it holds festivals in Belfast, Dublin, France, New York, Los Angeles and London every year.

The post “A Christmas Star” Inspires Children to Dream Big appeared first on Positive Celebrity News, Good Celebrity Gossip, Positive Entertainment News | Good Celebrity.