With the programme launch of the Laganside Cinemagic World Screen Festival for Young People, which runs from the 25th November – 9th December, it is clear young people will be able to access some of the best world cinema, with 17 Northern Irish, Irish and UK premieres among the 70 international films being screened.

Joan Burney, Chief Executive, Cinemagic discusses the line up:

“With the assistance of a panel of 19 young consultants we have been sourcing and reviewing a diverse range of international film across a range of genres. The UK Premiere of ‘The Blind Camel’ an Indian film, by Director Vinod Ganatra, and the Japanese production ‘Yoshino’s Barber Shop’ which was described by one young consultant as ‘a beautifully shot movie about the value of tradition and importance of identity’ introduce young people to new cultures and viewpoints.

Creating food for thought will be the Irish premiere of the documentary ‘Outfoxed: Rupert Murdoch’s War on Journalism’ as it reveals the secrets of former Fox News producers, reporters and writers who expose what it’s like to work for Fox News.

In the world of animation the Northern Irish Premiere of Little Longnose, the first theatrically released animated Russian feature produced in nearly 40 years, is similar to all good fairytales as it confirms the strength of goodness, family and friendship.

Providing stunning anime for all ages from legendary Japanese cartoonist Kon, maker of the classic Perfect Blue, is the Northern Irish Premiere of ‘Tokyo Godfathers’. Visually astounding, vividly imagined and beautifully written this is animation at its very best.”

Joan continues: “Cutting edge film in the programme is not restricted to feature length productions. We have some very charming, amusing and thought provoking packages of shorts. Addressing the theme of conflict and war is a package entitled ‘Long Road Home’ which incorporates ‘Between the Wars’, ‘Homecoming’, ‘Tides’ and ‘Leaving Kosovo’. The screening of these, will be followed by a discussion hosted by the young people who made ‘Leaving Kosovo’, which conveys the harsh realities of being forced to leave your home and family in order to survive.”

In addition to the 70 international film screenings there are a series of talks and discussions exploring the finer aspects of the filmmaking process such as ‘Filmmaking in Northern Ireland’ delivered by Professor John Hill and ‘Meet the Professionals’ featuring Mike Hodges (Director, Get Carter), Steve Knight (Scriptwriter, Dirty Pretty Things), Paul Smith (Managing Director, Celador Films) and Terry Back (Partner, Grant Thornton) where the audience can get an insight into processes from the writing stage, right through to the search for financial backing and role of the producer.

Providing opportunities to learn from the best are a series of masterclasses in a range of disciplines related to filmmaking. These include, Directing with Mike Hodges (I’ll Sleep When I’m Dead, Croupier, Flash Gordon, Pulp), and Music for Film with Academy Award winning Stephen Warbeck (Mrs Brown, Mystery Men, Billy Elliot, Captain Corelli’s Mandolin, Birthday Girl and Shakespeare in Love)

For budding thespians, one of the most prolific British actors of his generation Brian Cox (Bourne Supremacy, Bourne Identity, X Men 2) will deliver an acting masterclass, and to ensure that first impressions last, Academy Award winning Lindy Hemming (My Beautiful Laundrette, Krays, Hear my Song, Four Weddings and a Funeral, Blood and Wine, The Brave, Goldeneye, Die Another Day, Tomorrow Never Dies, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, Topsy Turvy) will take 15 young people through the art of costume design.

For further information on the Laganside Cinemagic World Screen Festival for Young People in Association with Rocwell log onto www.cinemagic.org.uk or telephone: 02890 311900.

UK Premiere - Yoshino’s Barber Shop (Director: Naoko Ogigami/Japan/2003 96 mins)
In a small town in Japan all the people go to the same barber shop and receive the same haircut, when a boy from Tokyo arrives with different hair clothes and attitude, there are mixed emotions.

Immediate Boarding (Director: Ella Lemhagen/Sweden/2003 91 mins)
11 year old Martin and Julia meet in an airport lounge whilst waiting for their respective flights. Not only do the two children look alike, they also happen to share the same fate: they are both visiting a divorced parent for the weekend.