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Ireland-based youth film non-profit Cinemagic has become a strategic partner of French Riviera Film Festival. CEO and MBE (Member of the Order of the British Empire) Joan Burney Keatings has also joined the festival's prestigious advisory board, which includes such high profile individuals as E! Entertainment Television founder Larry Namer, and COO, filmfestivals.com Bruno Chatelin, among others.

“We're simply delighted to partner with Joan and Cinemagic,” comments Muj. “We're excited to grow our festival, recently adding student and activism categories, and this partnership will further accelerate our common goals.”

As part of the partnership, FRFF will screen out-of-competition, select award-winning short projects from recent years by Cinemagic's youth filmmakers, as well as invite new short film productions from the non-profit to enter the latest year's competition.

Launched in 1989, Cinemagic's objective is to present opportunities to young people in the film and television industries through inclusive projects and productions that support people from all communities and with all abilities. Since its inception, Cinemagic has evolved thanks to Burney Keatings’ unwavering tenacity and determination, transforming the organization from a Belfast-based film festival to an award-winning charity with a presence in Dublin, London, France, Los Angeles, New York, and Boston.

Cinemagic has become the largest film event for young people in the UK and Ireland, garnering the attention and support of many high-profile patrons, including Liam Neeson, Pierce Brosnan, Saoirse Ronan, Colin Farrell, Paula Malcomson and Julian Fellowes. The charity also welcomed the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William and Princess Kate at workshops in recent years. The program's alumni have gone on to excel in the arts, with many of them securing roles at BBC, HBO, Disney, Sky Atlantic, RTE and Bedlam Productions. A pioneer in cross-community relations through the arts, Cinemagic has expanded its footprint to impact young people in challenged communities all over the world.

Burney Keatings' efforts at the helm of Cinemagic have yielded much recognition thanks to phenomenal statistics that show the charity has engaged with over 500,000 globally, involved the screening of 3,000 films and hosted almost 1,000 masterclasses, workshops and special events since its inception. She received an MBE from Queen Elizabeth II in 2012 for her services to the Arts in Northern Ireland making her the youngest-ever recipient of the honour.  More recently, she was honoured at Cinemagic’s prestigious annual gala showcase event in Los Angeles by the 35th California State Senate District. 

First launched in 2019 by Nicole Muj and Gotham Chandna, FRFF recognizes and celebrates short-form content created for film, television, web and all digital platforms. Held during the time period of the Festival de Cannes, FRFF invites filmmakers from around the globe to participate in the two-day event held at Eden Hotel & Spa in Cannes, that includes screenings, Global Entertainment Showcase panel, VIP opening reception at Bel-Air Fine Art Gallery, and closing gala awards ceremony.

Joan Burney Keatings with FRFF's Nicole Muj & Eliza Daniek