Claire shaw about 30 years of Cinemagic - "A flagship arts event in the city of Belfast"
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F e s t i v a l I N TE R VIE W
Claire Shaw about 30 years of Cinemagic
“A flagship arts event in the city of Belfast”
Several festivals that are nowadays been able to increase the profile and
among the leading events in the Eu- the reach of our work but our ethos
ropean children’s film circuit were has always remained the same. The
founded 30 years ago. Cinemagic is nature of the festival’s cultural pro-
one of them. There must have been gramming and the calibre of industry
something in the wind back then, as events, guests and film showcases
most of these festivals have since de- marks Cinemagic out as the premier
veloped in a similar way: ever-grow- youth arts organisation in Northern
ing, with a more professional profile Ireland which also fervently supports
and extra attention for the industry and nurtures young filmmaking talent
and talent from these isles. We firmly
Claire Shaw: Cinemagic derived from believe that we should build a cine-
the film commission in Northern ma-going audience that contributes
Ireland at the time along with key to the industry through buying cine-
figures in the arts and film world lo- ma tickets. offer participants the chance to view This year you screened again the
cally. The festival was conceived as a classic cinema and key content that very first film ever screened at Cin-
cultural antidote and a creative arena Cinemagic seems to have found a promotes film culture. It is about that emagic, 30 years ago: VINCENT AND
for self-expression for young people balance between brand new titles balance in terms of knowing what the ME.
during the Troubles. For 30 years the and extraordinary archive cinema. audience demand is as well as offering Shaw: We were thrilled to be able to
organisation has led the way in using You bridge the gap between ti- an opportunity to try something new. locate and screen that film and host
film exhibition and production as a tles with an art-house appeal (THE We are giving audiences a chance to its actor Tchéky Karyo at it for a real-
vehicle to inspire young people and RUNAWAYS, METAL HEART) and be the first in our territory to see new ly special Q&A. He is known to audi-
it has provided a vital outlet for in- more commercial success films like releases. Filmmakers and distributors ences for a host of other film and TV
dependent cinema, showcasing a film SHAUN THE SHEEP and THE GREAT- see the value in previewing content to roles (like the hit series THE MISSING)
programme that offers a unique win- EST SHOWMAN. captive audiences and target audienc- but holds this film very dear to his
dow to the world. With the industry Shaw: We want to offer the best in es for the releases. The added value heart. The film itself stood the test
growing in Northern Ireland and in- new world cinema, cinema that broad- around titles, like talks from the film- of time and the story is heart-warm-
deed film being offered as an academ- ens the imagination and tackles issues makers, is a distinctive draw. ing. To have it 30 years after we first
ic subject in a lot of schools, we have that affect youth and alongside that screened it, in the exact same venue,
21 | Journal 01 | 2020
F e s t i v a l I N TE R VIE W
cation and filmmaking, the Cinemag- platform for the work of young film-
ic Festival strives to motivate a new makers?
generation of young creatives. Shaw: Annually we run a competition
for young filmmakers aged 25 and
This year you had more than 30 under to submit their short films to
workshops and masterclasses ad- Cinemagic. These films are screened
dressing industry people. Because as part of the festival to celebrate
the industry is booming in Northern emerging talents. We wish to signpost
Ireland? as many opportunities as possible to
Shaw: There is a huge demand for the help further their careers. The festival
content in our workshops and master- has many alumni who have gone on to
classes and film students strive to get work both behind the camera and on
involved in as many ways as possible. screen. Among the alumni credits in-
The industry is booming in Northern clude crew on hit shows such as GAME
Ireland and we are able to contribute OF THRONES, DERRY GIRLS, LINE OF
Saoirse Ronan Hayley Mills to the skills development of the next DUTY, TORVILL AND DEAN; movies
generation by enhancing opportuni- such as SOLO: A STAR WARS STORY
was a really special occasion. call “stars and celebrities”. ties to learn about the industry, to and one of Ireland’s leading post-pro-
Shaw: Cinemagic is proud to include see diverse film content and nurtur- duction facilities, Yellowmoon. On
There was also a screening of THE so many high profile patrons as part ing raw talent. screen alumni include Bronagh Waugh
WIZARD OF OZ in the Belfast Ca- of our organisation but we ensure and Seana Kerslake. Behind the cam-
thedral. they are the right fit for the ethos of Did the festival have an impact on era alumni include Oscar-nominated
Shaw: For the first time we screened a the organisation. We are supported the production of young audience director Michael Lennox, most fa-
film in the iconic surroundings of Bel- by Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Sao- content in Northern Ireland? mously known for the worldwide suc-
fast Cathedral, to create a gala feel to irse Ronan, Julian Fellowes, Colin Far- Shaw: There are more opportunities cess that is DERRY GIRLS.
the closing of the 30th Anniversary rell for example. As well as providing now in the production of young au-
Festival. The film was screened as part a welcoming space for local cinema dience content and we hope that the How is the festival embedded in the
of a national initiative from the British lovers and the arts community in gen- achievements of the festival has con- cultural life of a city like Belfast?
Film Institute as part of the #BFIMusi- eral, the role the festival has played tributed to this, even in the sense that Shaw: It has been a flagship arts event
cals season and it’s a film that we have in uniting communities and its dedica- we can inspire those that may want to in the city for years and so many cre-
screened frequently over the years at tion to promoting inclusivity contrib- work in the industry. We have always atives across Northern Ireland have
Cinemagic. utes to Northern Ireland’s strengths supported the exhibition of young au- experienced being part of the festival
as a creative and dynamic destination. dience content. over the years. In our 30th Anniversa-
It seems like the festival pays spe- Through programmes of masterclass- ry year, we were awarded Best Crea-
cific attention to what you could es, workshops, screenings, film edu- That is why Cinemagic is offering a tive Business at the Belfast Business
22 | Journal 01 | 2020
F e s t i v a l I N TE R VIE W I N TE R VIE W
,
Richard Heap about THE RUNAWAYS
Turning donkeys into prima donna’s
Angie and her younger siblings Polly people outside the North will classify
and Ben live in a cabin by the sea. Their both as Northern accents.
father hardly makes a living vending
donkey-rides at the beach. For this In this Northern landscape is a cer-
family there is nothing like an evening tain desolation. These godforsaken
of dark ale and folk singing in the pub places fit perfectly to the story.
to forget about life’s hardships. But Heap: When the kids run off into the
that night Uncle Blythe returns from moors, things are getting dark and
Vincent & me prison, harbouring a grudge over a moody. The moors are often seen as
long-standing family debt. Not much a grim place, with villages that get
Awards and this is testament to our eting and festival evaluations. later the kids find themselves riding snowed in in winter. That is where
positive impact. two donkeys over the moors under Wuthering Heights is set. But when
Can you share with us one particu- the drizzling rain, trying to escape we filmed in autumn – a season of
You have a network of young volun- lar event that you are particularly from Blythe. At the Filem’on Festival change – the heather was in bloom
teers working with the festival. proud about? we asked director Richard Heap about and it looked more beautiful than des-
Shaw: Cinemagic was a front runner in Shaw: We were especially proud of the exact locations of the film. olate. At least to me.
engaging with young people to have all of our 30th Anniversary activities
input to the festival content. A panel welcoming guests such as Saoirse Richard Heap: THE RUNAWAYS is set Who are these people? This fami-
of young consultants offer their feed- Ronan and legendary actress Hayley in the North-East of England, on the ly doesn’t fit into the social safety
back on a selection of the proposed Mills. The festival always has the au- farmland and in the small villages of nets but still found a way to survive.
in-competition films and we value dience at heart. the North York Moors National Park. Heap: Even though the film touches
their thoughts as they are our target There is a beautiful coastline with old on many social issues, I didn’t want it
audience, and as well as that they in- * Coming up in March in Belfast towns like Whitby, where the story to feel like a grim Mike-Leigh-alike so-
put to the marketing and promotion is the Short Film Festival ‘On the starts. When Dracula travelled to Brit- cial realist drama. I wanted the film to
of events so we are engaging in the Pulse’ (www.cinemagic.org.uk). ain, he landed in Whitby. Macy (Shack- have a sort of timeless gentleness. So
best ways possible with our audienc- * The Belfast Festival is now leton, playing Polly) is from Bradford, their existence living isolated up on
es. Dedicated volunteers help with open for submissions – submit where they have the thickest of York- the cliff tops is slightly otherworldly.
everything from programmes distri- your films here shire accents, while Rhys (Connah, Initially we went looking for trailer
bution to front of house duties, tick- playing Ben) is from Lancashire. But parks along that coast, where people
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