Cinemagic International Film and Television Festival for Young People and Northern Visions is offering 16-18 year old young filmmakers, across Northern Ireland, the chance to participate in a week long film school from 25th-29th July 2010.

Young people, schools and community groups are being invited to submit a script concept for a short film based on the Olympic Games. The entries will be shortlisted in June and the winning idea will be produced with the support of Northern Visions/NvTv. The filmmaking project is part of a series of sports-themed film activities entitled ‘Now & Then- Our Journey’, a programme that is part of an initiative led by Northern Ireland Screen for the Legacy Trust UK Connections Programme.

The Connections Programme funded by Legacy Trust UK, an independent charity set up to help build a lasting cultural and sporting legacy from, the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games, and is managed by the Arts Council of Northern Ireland.

Dugald Mackie, Chair of Legacy Trust UK, said: “The Games are about more than sport. They are a once in a lifetime opportunity to showcase Northern Ireland to millions of people across the world. We believe that these projects will inspire and encourage people throughout Northern Ireland to get involved and will help leave a lasting legacy for the region.”

Joan Burney Keatings, Chief Executive of Cinemagic said: “The film school is the third in a series of events that aim to inspire and motivate young people throughout Northern Ireland in the lead up to the 2012 Olympic Games. The aim of ‘Now and Then - Our Journey’ is to offer fun-filled, educational events for young people, to develop their creative skills and to celebrate the various themes around the Olympics. The film school will give young people an insight to the filmmaking process and will focus on areas such as scriptwriting, storyboarding, sound/lighting and directing.”

Nelson McCausland, Minister of the Department of Culture, Arts and Leisure, and Chair of the NI 2012 Leadership Group said:  "It is great news that young people across Northern Ireland are being presented with this unique opportunity to participate in an exciting and special project ‘Now and Then – Our Journey’.  I would encourage as many young people as possible to consider getting involved and to use this project to connect with the inspiration and power of the Olympic and Paralympic Games and in their own way create their own ‘2012 moment’.  Projects such as this are just one of the key ways in which Northern Ireland is creating a positive legacy from the Olympic and Paralympics in the lead up to and beyond the Games in 2012.”   

Marilyn Hyndman, Northern Visions said: “We are delighted to partner Cinemagic and to support young people to gain skills in digital media. This is a wonderful opportunity to try out filmmaking in a supportive environment and to contribute to Northern Ireland’s celebration of the 2012 Olympics”

As part of the ‘Now and Then’ project, Northern Visions and Cinemagic are also organising a Documentary Week in August for young people aged 18 – 25 years.  The week takes place from August 16th to August 20th 2010. Application forms for the Documentary Week will be available from April 1st.