MAGIC

The Pitch Event - Industry @ MAGIC
2026-04-02 10:00 - 13:00 (America/New_York) | MAGIC Incubator – Building 8, Room 8119, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Spring Recess
2026-04-03 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MAGIC Event - Cartoon Film Festival
2026-04-10 12:00 - 16:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Get ready for a day of laughs, nostalgia, and animated fun at the MAGIC Cartoon Film Festival! Join us for back-to-back screenings of your favorite cartoons, from classic Looney Tunes to modern hits, Nicktoons, anime, and everything in between. All admission proceeds benefit the MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund, so you can enjoy your favorite shows while supporting a great cause. Concessions will be available, including popcorn, candy, and bowls of cereal to fuel your cartoon marathon.
Test your cartoon knowledge with trivia games for a chance to win fun prizes, and enjoy a fun-filled day of animation for fans of all ages. Don’t miss this celebration of the wonderful world of cartoons!

Date: Friday, 04/10/2026
Time: 11 AM – 4 PM
Location: Wolfson Campus, Building 8 – Room 8106
Free Parking for this event – Building 7 Garage Map – Print Parking Pass
Costume Contest
Come dressed as your favorite character!
Cartoon Intro Karaoke
Think you remember all the lyrics to your favorite opening themes? Let’s hear it!
Animation Trivia
Put your animation knowledge to the test!
Cartoon Art Contest
Submit your artwork to bverner@mdc.edu by Thursday, April 9 at 5PM
Prizes for all events!
We’ll also have delicious concessions AND our fan-favorite Doodle Booth,
where you can request a custom caricature in your favorite cartoon style!

RSVP

A $5 donation serves as your TICKET to the party!
All proceeds benefit the MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund

Support a Great Cause
All proceeds go toward the MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund — and we are just $300 away from our goal!
Help us make a difference for animation and game students in need of financial aid.
Open to the public + FREE parking
Bring your friends!

The MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund – Celebrating 10 Years of MAGIC
Created in 2025 by students, for students; this initiative celebrates the 10-year anniversary of MAGIC. Throughout the academic year, a series of special events like this one, will be hosted to honor this milestone and bring the MAGIC community together. Proceeds from these events will directly support a new Student Scholarship Fund, designed to help future creators pursue their education in animation, gaming, and immersive technologies at the MAGIC program. By celebrating a decade of innovation, storytelling, and student success, this effort ensures the next generation has the opportunity to continue building on the legacy of MAGIC.

Miami Film Festival - "Playable Cinema" – Where Film Meets Game Engine
2026-04-17 16:00 - 18:00 | MAGIC Open Lab – Building 8, Room 8108, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
PLAYABLE CINEMA: FILM MEETS GAME ENGINE
A response to game engines like Unreal and Unity being used by filmmakers to craft immersive, branching, and nonlinear experiences, this interactive presentation invites creators and technologists to discuss how “playable” stories are reshaping cinema. Featuring Dean Lyon, a world-renowned visual effects creator and computer graphics innovator, and Kevin Sharpley, president/CEO of Kijik Multimedia, a production company specializing in integrated, branded, and convergent media and development of in-house projects. Moderated by Reginald Liger, founder of Quelque Chose Productions. Presented in partnership with the MDC MAGIC animation program, Miami Media and Film Market, and Quelque Chose Productions.
This session explores the new frontier of cinematic storytelling – where narrative design, real-time rendering, and audience interactivity converge. With game engines like Unreal and Unity increasingly used by filmmakers to craft immersive, branching, and nonlinear experiences, this interactive presentation invites both creators and technologists to discuss how “playable” stories are reshaping the definition of cinema.
Dean Lyon, Kevin Sharpley and Reginald Liger
The presentation will feature Dean Lyon, a world-renowned visual effects creator and computer graphics innovator with 30+ years’ experience in collaborating with cutting edge directors, motion picture studios, production companies, post-production facilities and technology developers around the globe. Dean has worked as Visual Effect Supervisor for many films including The Lord Of The Rings trilogy and has been a part of hundreds of films, television shows and commercials over his illustrious career.
Dean will be co-presenting with his partner Kevin Sharpley, President and CEO of Kijik Multimedia Inc. a full service production company with specialties in integrated, branded and convergent media and development of in-house projects.

In partnership with Quelque Chose Productions, MAGIC at MDC, and Miami Media & Film Market

Expected guests

Dean Lyon – VFX Innovator

Reginald Liger – Founder, Quelque Chose Productions

Moderator:
Kevin Sharpley – Founder, CineVisun; award-Winning Filmmaker, Founder Kijik Multimedia

Ticket Info

When: Friday April 17 4pm
Where: MDC’s Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex

Book Tickets

Miami Film Festival - Drawn to You: Animated Shorts
2026-04-18 12:30 - 17:00 | FL
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Step into a world of pure imagination. From stop-motion to hand-drawn, these eight international animated shorts will dazzle and delight.

Commencement Ceremony
2026-04-25 08:00 - 17:00 | LoanDepot Park, 501 Marlins Way, Miami, FL, 33125, United States

2026 MAGIC Premiere Night
2026-04-29 18:30 - 19:00 | FL
Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex
You are cordially invited to the 2026 YouTube Premiere of the Animations & Video Games Celebrating the Class of 2026

“Foster,” “Fallen Fate,” “Night Light,” “Behind the Paper”
Please share this invitation with friends and family

Wednesday April 29, 2026 – 6:30 PM on YouTube
Click on the image to watch the Premiere

Spring Term. Last day of classes and final exams.
2026-05-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Final course grades available.
2026-05-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Summer Term Begins (A & B) - 12 weeks
2026-05-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Holiday - Memorial Day
2026-05-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Animation Camp - 3D Modeling with Maya
2026-06-08 09:00 - 2026-06-12 15:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Week #1: June 8 – June 12, 2026 $395
3D Modeling with Maya: You’ll learn valuable workflows that pros use and create 3D models. We’ll teach you the fundamentals of object design and modeling before you create your own original 3D props, set pieces, and scenes. Course number:0398 – 007.

Registration is now OPEN

Town Hall - September
2026-06-08 12:00 - 13:00 | MAGIC Incubator – Building 8, Room 8119, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Students currently enrolled in the MAGIC program, or a MAGIC faculty or staff member will have the chance to voice their opinions, concerns, or suggestions to improve our academic program.
This special session will be moderated by Ms. Ana Cruz and Ms. Brenna Verner in Room 8119 We hope to see you then.

MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund - Fundraising Event
2026-06-08 12:00 - 17:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
he MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund – Celebrating 10 Years of MAGIC
Created in 2025 by students, for students; this initiative celebrates the 10-year anniversary of MAGIC. Throughout the academic year, a series of special events like this one, will be hosted to honor this milestone and bring the MAGIC community together. Proceeds from these events will directly support a new Student Scholarship Fund, designed to help future creators pursue their education in animation, gaming, and immersive technologies at the MAGIC program. By celebrating a decade of innovation, storytelling, and student success, this effort ensures the next generation has the opportunity to continue building on the legacy of MAGIC.

Game Design Camp - Game Design with Unreal Engine
2026-06-15 09:00 - 2026-06-19 15:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Game Design with Unreal Engine: Create your own video game environment that can be explored on a PC. You’ll learn the proper workflow to create custom worlds, objects and player challenges using Unreal Engine 5. We’ll teach you the basics of lighting, shader editing, and environment creation to create scenes your character can explore and play in. Course number:0400 – 007.

Registration is now OPEN

For more information about our summer camps please contact (305) 237-3120

Summer A - Last Day of Classes
2026-06-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Animation Camp - Character Animation with Maya
2026-06-22 09:00 - 2026-06-26 15:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Week #2: June 22 – June 26, 2026 $395
Character Animation with Maya: Using Autodesk Maya, you’ll learn how to bring characters to life, using lighting, settings, and camera angles. We’ll teach you a workflow that will take pre-rigged models and animate them in a short sequence that tells a story. Using Autodesk Maya, you’ll learn how to bring characters to life, using lighting, settings, and camera angles. We’ll teach you a workflow that will take pre-rigged models and animate them in a short sequence that tells a story. Course number: 0399 – 006

Registration is now OPEN

For more information about our summer camps please contact (305) 237-3120

Game Design Camp - Creating an interactive Video Game
2026-07-06 09:00 - 2026-07-10 15:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Creating an Interactive Video Game: Enhance your game development skills in this summer camp focused on video game creation. Learn the basics of player movement, object interaction and input handling. Dive into level design, implementing game variables like health and lives, and creating enemies and engaging gameplay mechanics. Gain experience with events, custom functions, and interactivity. By the end, you will have a strong understanding of the Unreal game development system. Course number:1228 – 008.

Registration is now OPEN

For more information about our summer camps please contact (305) 237-3120

Summer Term (A & B) - 12 Weeks. Last day of classes and final exams.
2026-07-31 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MAGIC New Student Orientation – Mandatory
2026-08-21 13:00 - 15:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Fall Term - Classes Begin
2026-08-24 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund - Fundraising Event
2026-09-11 12:00 - 17:00, 2026-10-09 12:00 - 17:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
The MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund – Celebrating 10 Years of MAGIC
Created in 2025 by students, for students; this initiative celebrates the 10-year anniversary of MAGIC. Throughout the academic year, a series of special events like this one, will be hosted to honor this milestone and bring the MAGIC community together. Proceeds from these events will directly support a new Student Scholarship Fund, designed to help future creators pursue their education in animation, gaming, and immersive technologies at the MAGIC program. By celebrating a decade of innovation, storytelling, and student success, this effort ensures the next generation has the opportunity to continue building on the legacy of MAGIC.

Art of Tech Speaker Series
2026-10-21 12:00 - 14:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
MAGIC’s Art of Tech series empowers, elevates and inspires innovation within the growing digital technologies industry. The speaker series brings together a wide spectrum of executive level professionals in the areas of Computer Animation, Gaming, Visual Effects, Motion Graphics, Virtual and Augmented Reality.

Priority registration for Spring term 2027 begins.
2026-10-22 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

2026 MAGIC Halloween Pizza Party
2026-10-30 15:00 - 19:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Summer 2027 registration begins.
2026-11-02 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Holiday - Veterans Day
2026-11-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Holiday - Thanksgiving
2026-11-26 08:00 - 2026-11-27 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Fall Term - Last day of classes and final exams.
2026-12-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
