Last night, the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica hosted the Cinemagic Film and Television Festival’s 2023 Gala Showcase, and it was a star-studded affair. Among the esteemed guests were Lynne Curtin, known for her appearance on The Real Housewives of OC, and Jeri Ryan, the iconic Star Trek legend.
The event, organized by the non-profit organization Cinemagic, aimed to raise funds for a worthy cause. Attendees had the opportunity to participate in an auction, featuring exclusive items like a signed LA Dodgers jersey by Mookie Bets and return flights from LAX to Ireland, generously provided by Aer Lingus.
Even Bob Yari, the joint CEO of Studio 101 and one of the producers of Yellowstone, took the time to send a congratulatory message to the gala, which was presented during the event.
Cinemagic selected children from schools across LA and Northern Ireland to participate in a week-long program in Los Angeles. Throughout the week, these students had the privilege of attending masterclasses led by some of the biggest names in the film industry. They gained valuable insights from the producers of The Late Late Show with James Corden and the Rachael Ray Show, while special studio lot tours at Universal and Warner Bros allowed them to witness the magic behind the scenes of the film industry.
The evening was hosted by Irish television presenter Darren Kennedy and actor Jenn McGuirk, who ensured the event ran smoothly and entertained the guests.
Sponsoring the event were Fairmont Hotels, Northern Irish Connections, NI Bureau, and Aer Lingus, demonstrating their commitment to supporting Cinemagic’s mission.
The gala showcased three short films produced by Cinemagic, including ABIA, which was screened at Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations in New York as part of its International Women’s Day celebration.
Among the distinguished guests was Irish Ambassador to the US, Geraldine Byrne Nason, who engaged with the young talents, fostering connections and paving the way for their success.
Cinemagic is the largest film and television festival in the UK and Ireland, designed for and by young people. Each year, approximately 40,000 young individuals aged 4-25 participate in Cinemagic events held in Belfast, Dublin, London, New York, and Los Angeles. Since its inception, Cinemagic has engaged with nearly 1 million young people, inspiring them in the world of cinema and television.
Joan Burney Keatings MBE, CEO of Cinemagic, expressed her gratitude to the sponsors and partners who made the week of inspiring talks, tours, and masterclasses possible.“We are so thankful to our incredible sponsors and partners in supporting us to provide inspiring talks, tours, and masterclasses with top talent in film and television production in the heart of moviemaking in LA from 23rd to 28th June. We look forward to showcasing Cinemagic as a global player in the creative industries and celebrating Northern Ireland’s success stories internationally.”
Guests were also treated to gift bags containing various products, including Bug Bite Thing, merchandise from The LA Dodgers, and Gaviña Gourmet Coffee.
Moira Loughran, the head of Northern Ireland Connections, shared her excitement about partnering with Cinemagic as a sponsor for the Los Angeles Gala. “[we are] Delighted to be partnering with Cinemagic as a sponsor of the Los Angeles Gala as we see it as a fantastic opportunity to be able to help and showcase the immense talent of our young people from Northern Ireland.”She saw this collaboration as a remarkable opportunity to support and showcase the immense talent of young people from Northern Ireland.
The red carpet saw the presence of other notable guests, including CJ Franco from FBoy Island, singer and actress Shannon K, Benjamin Onyango from God’s Not Dead, Amber Friendly from The Morning Show, Maxwell Canfield from Grease 2, and his wife Juliet Mills. The red carpet was impeccably managed by Jane Owen Public Relations and her team, ensuring a glamorous entrance for all attendees.
