Join us on April 29th at 6:30 PM for the 2026 MAGIC Premiere on YouTube. We are celebraing the Class of 2026 and their accomplishments. Here are these year’s animations and video games:
Foster is a cinematic, character-driven capstone project set in a post-apocalyptic world where remnants of civilization have collapsed, and silence dominates the landscape. At the center of the story is a wooden humanoid survivor who carries a fragile memory device containing the last connection to a lost companion. As that device begins to fail, the character is forced into a journey toward a distant beacon, driven by the hope that something — or someone — may still exist. The narrative unfolds without heavy dialogue, relying instead on mood, visual storytelling, and emotional animation performance to communicate the character’s internal struggle.
Created by Melanie Mailleux, Juliette Brooks and Mariana Correa and produced by Melanie Mailleux, Felishiana Lee Jimenez & Viena Elizabeth Fonseca. Music Composition by Angel Pacheco (NWSA). Industry Mentors: Cesar Sakay, Susan Guzman and Eddie Bragin, TelevisaUivision
Behind the Paper follows Archie, a frustrated architect struggling to finish a project due the next day. He sits at his desk, discarding ideas and sinking deeper into creative paralysis. Everything in his environment reflects monotony and pressure, including uninspired models and a looming deadline. The turning point comes when a blank sheet of paper unexpectedly comes to life and begins to evade him. What initially appears as resistance is actually guidance.
The animated paper leads Archie into a chaotic chase around his workspace. During this pursuit, he clears away the dull elements of his environment and even breaks his conventional pencil. The paper then guides him toward forgotten childhood art supplies and memories, prompting him to experiment with crayons and paintbrushes instead of rigid drafting tools. Archie tries to “capture” the paper with colorful strokes, but repeatedly misses.
Created by Estefania Mora and produced by Maria Keener. Music Composition by Schlinler Derenoncourt (NWSA). Industry Mentors: Chris Bailey
Fallen Fate is a psychological RPG set on Alcatraz Island, where Dante, a young man struggling with grief, returns after receiving a letter that reignites hope he might reunite with Elena. The abandoned island becomes both a physical and emotional landscape, as he searches the empty halls while refusing to accept her absence. Snow, silence, and decaying structures reinforce a mood of isolation, reflecting Dante’s emotional state as he clings to memories and the possibility that the past can be recovered.
As players explore, the environment and gameplay represent Dante’s psychological journey through grief. The game blends exploration, puzzle-solving, and combat against manifestations of his emotions — including denial, obsession, and unattainable desire. Each encounter and area mirrors stages of grief, transforming the island into a symbolic space where Dante must confront his own internal struggles. These mechanics are designed not just as gameplay challenges, but as narrative devices that deepen the emotional tension and reinforce the themes of loss and attachment. Created by Diego Ramirez. Lead Programmer – David Glazier. Original Music Composition by Sezenio S. Calvo (NWSA). Industry Mentor: William Buckley, Absurd Ventures.
Night Light follows Ava Hernandez, a young hero-in-training who dreams of proving she can be a force for good. Her biggest obstacle is her identity — she is the daughter of the infamous supervillain Shadow Spinner, and her father’s dark reputation casts doubt on her intentions and abilities. As she steps into her own journey, she must confront both external skepticism and internal fear about whether she can escape her father’s shadow.
The story unfolds as a balance between light and darkness, both visually and emotionally. Ava’s path is framed as a struggle between fear and courage, past and future, and expectation versus self-determination. Through her actions and determination, she works to redefine who she is, refusing to let her inherited legacy dictate her identity or limit her potential.
Created by Katerina Pezon, Bat Rodriguez and Michael Gonzalez and produced by Sahrai Lecounte & Leila Richards. Music Composition by Schlinler Derenoncourt (NWSA). Industry Mentor: Drew Tolman.
If you would like to learn more about the MAGIC program at Miami Dade College, please contact us at (305) 237-3560 or visit our website magic.mdc.edu
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