MAGIC

MAGIC Event - K-Pop Demon Hunters: Film Screening + Sing-Along Dance Party
2025-09-26 12:00 - 16:00 (America/New_York) | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
YOU ARE INVITED
Enjoy the FULL MOVIE on the BIG SCREEN and SING-ALONG from 12:00–1:30 PM!
SING KARAOKE, SNAP PHOTOS, and PLAY GAMES WITH US from 1:30–3:00 PM – You could win EXCLUSIVE K POP MERCH
Can you handle the heat of the SPICY CHALLENGE or find the prize in our ball pit? Search “IN THE BALLS!”
At 3 PM, join us for the ultimate DANCE PARTY to the FULL SOUNDTRACK!

Date: Friday, 09/26/2025
Time: 12 PM – 4 PM
Location: Wolfson Campus, Building 8 – Room 8106
RSVP

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

EVENT SCHEDULE
Movie Screening
12:00 – 1:30 PM
Karaoke, Photo Ops, & Games
1:30 – 3:00 PM
Dance Party
3:00 PM

BRING CASH OR DONATE ONLINE

THEMATIC SNACKS
Fuel Your Fandom With:
Huntrix Eye-Popping Popcorn
Saja Boy Soda Pops
Derpy & Sussie Cupcakes
And More Thematic Treats!

SODA POP SHOULDER SWAY CHALLENGE
Record yourself swaying to the song “Soda Pop”
Post on Instagram and tag @MAGIC_MDC
Enter for a chance to win an exclusive K Pop Demon Hunters prize + be part of our fan compilation!

PHOTO OPS
Snap a pic at our photo ops with our life-size cutouts of Huntrix and the Saja Boys!
Post on Instagram and tag @MAGIC_MDC
Enter for a chance to win one of them!

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.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Brenna Verner at (305) 237-3560 or bverner@mdc.edu

MDC Esports - Mario Kart 8 Tournament at MDC Esports!
2025-10-07 12:00 - 15:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: October 7th, 2025
Time: 12 PM-3 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: Mario Kart 8 Tournament at MDC Esports!
Event Description: Test out your Mario Kart 8 skills at MDC Esports! Play 1v1s against other students and come out the winner!

To join our community, join the Esports Discord Channel: https://discord.gg/2ffEBuGXa4 and follow us on Instagram or Twitter @esports_mdc!

Z-Brush Workshop with MAXON's Ian Robinson
2025-10-08 12:00 - 14:00 | MAGIC Open Lab – Building 8, Room 8108, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

10 Years of MAGIC Celebration
2025-10-14 16:00 - 17:30 | MDC Wolfson Campus Auditorium, 300 NE 2nd Ave - Building 1, Room 1261 , Miami, FL, 33132, United States
In 2025, MAGIC—the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex at Miami Dade College celebrates a decade of shaping the next generation of animators, game developers, and immersive storytellers. What began as a bold vision to position Miami as a creative tech hub has grown into a nationally recognized academic center, graduating hundreds of students, forging powerful industry partnerships, and producing award-winning films, games, and VR experiences. From 65 students in 2015 to over 800 today, MAGIC has become a launchpad for diverse talent and a catalyst for economic development in the digital arts.

Our President, Madeline Pumariega

The Miami Animation and Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College
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Our Students
From MAGIC student to Systems Designer at Bethesda Game Studios, our inspiring alum, Jean Paul Salman, shares his journey of turning passion into profession.
Jean Paul has been a Systems Designer at Bethesda Game Studios in Austin, TX for the past two years. Before that, he was a Level Designer at Artix Entertainment in Lutz, Florida. A team player who seeks to complete development goals, no matter the challenges ahead. Jean Paul is opened to gaining experience in the field of the Video Game Industry, in hopes of not only becoming a good asset for a company but also developing skills and learning from the best in the industry.
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Ariana, a former MDC MAGIC student, shares how important it is to put yourself out there at career fairs. #BeMDC #miamitech #studentsuccess . Ariana now works at Xennial (VR/AR), beginning her new career right after she graduated from MAGIC.
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Thank You to Our Partners and Supporters
As we celebrate 10 years of the MAGIC program at Miami Dade College, we extend our deepest gratitude to the incredible community of supporters who have helped make this journey possible.
To the companies that have opened their doors to our students—through internships, scholarships, mentorship, and employment—thank you for believing in the next generation of storytellers, designers, and innovators.
To the institutions and foundations that have awarded grants and funding—your investments have allowed us to build state-of-the-art facilities, develop groundbreaking programs, and empower our students to dream bigger and reach farther.
To our faculty, staff, alumni, and collaborators—thank you for your dedication, creativity, and belief in what MAGIC could become. Your passion continues to shape our culture and inspire new possibilities.
Together, we’ve created more than a program—we’ve built a creative ecosystem that transforms lives and connects education to real opportunity. Here’s to a decade of MAGIC, and to the future we’re building together.

Mauricio Ferrazza, Department Chairperson
Miami Animation and Gaming International Complex – MAGIC
Wolfson Campus, Miami Dade College

To learn more about the MAGIC program, visit our website www.magic.mdc.edu and contact us for more information: (305) 237-3560.

MAGIC Event - Inktober Sip & Sketch
2025-10-17 12:00 - 16:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Inktober Sip & Sketch
Unleash your creativity at our Inktober Drawing Party! Work through fun, fast-paced drawing prompts with friends—a new challenge every round and prizes for the winners. No pressure, just good vibes, creative flow, and plenty of laughs.

Date: Friday, October 17, 2025
Time: 12 PM – 2 PM
Location: Wolfson Campus, Building 8, Room 8106
A $5 donation serves as your entry fee – make your donation below to secure your spot in the event. Bring your donation receipt to the event and you are all set! Find out below how your donation will benefit student’s scholarships for the MAGIC program.

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.

For additional information, please contact Ms. Brenna Verner at (305) 237-3560 or bverner@mdc.edu

Art of Tech Speaker Series - Guest Speaker Kyle Bunk, Senior VFX Artist at Bungie Games
2025-10-20 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.

Guest Speaker – Kyle Bunk, Senior VFX Artist at Bungie Game
Kyle Bunk is a Senior VFX Artist at Bungie Inc. where he creates visual content for player abilities, as well as other elements such as grenade explosions, muzzle flashes, and water effects.
Before breaking into the industry he worked at a toilet paper factory full-time in his hometown near Scranton, Pennsylvania. He first entered the industry as an animator for Gameloft, then switched over to VFX at Firaxis Games on Marvel’s Midnight Suns. He has also worked on numerous indie projects, including a dating sim where you date…..board games??
He currently resides in Boynton Beach while he works remotely into Bungie’s studio in Bellevue Washington. Though currently specializing in VFX, he continues to draw and pursue other avenues for artistic growth outside of work.
Lecture: “My weird path into the games industry and why college is important”

MDC Esports - MDC Esports Halloween Party!
2025-10-28 13:00 - 16:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: October 28th, 2025
Time: 1 PM-4 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: MDC Esports Halloween Party!
Event Description: This is a Members Only event to celebrate all of you! Dress up in Halloween costumes, play some Mario Party games, and enjoy free pizza and soda!

To join our community, join the Esports Discord Channel – https://discord.gg/2ffEBuGXa4 – and follow us on Instagram or Twitter @esports_mdc!

2025 MAGIC Halloween Pizza Party
2025-10-31 15:00 - 19:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Join us for MAGIC’s Halloween Pizza Party and celebrate and interact with students, faculty and staff. Enter to compete in our Halloween Costume & Art Contest. There will be music, plenty of PIZZA (of course), drinks, treats, karaoke, dancing and more. Learn how to “thriller dance” and join our flash mob at the event!
Halloween Art Work & Costume Contests with Special Prizes
ART WORK CONTEST
Submission date for Art Work: Oct 24th, 2025
ART WORK CRITERIA

Halloween Themed Art Work (PG 13)
Still Image
HD: 1920 X 1080
Resolution: 72-300 dpi

Selection of winner: The Art Work winner will be selected by a vote from the MAGIC Staff on September 31st and announced at the end of event.
COSTUME CONTEST

Costume contest sign up (sign in sheet) upon arrival at event

GRAND PRIZE: $100 GIFT CARD for BEST COSTUME
Selection of winner: The Costume winner will be selected by the MAGIC Halloween committee and announced at the end of event.

Holiday - Veterans Day
2025-11-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Story Workshop: Stories That Stick: A Rapid Narrative Lab with Natasha Tsakos
2025-11-24 17:30 - 20:00 | MAGIC Open Lab – Building 8, Room 8108, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Stories That Stick: A Rapid Narrative Lab with Natasha Tsakos
November 17, 2025 | 5:30–8:00 PM | MDC MAGIC
How do you craft a story that sticks? In this fast-paced, hands-on storytelling lab, multidisciplinary show maker Natasha Tsakos distills tips, tricks, and lessons from 25 years of theatrical adventures to guide first-year animation students through the art of simplicity, clarity, and surprise.
Through ideation sprints, creative pruning, and narrative sculpting, you’ll probe tension, conflict, and resolution, and learn how to distill a full cinematic arc into a punchy two-minute film. Expect brainstorming without borders, bold and unusual choices, and stories that hit the core!

Natasha Tsakos
Natasha Tsakos is an award-winning showmaker at the nexus of theatrical adventure, technology, and impact, now expanding her practice into space. A conceptual director, performer, and producer, her work has spanned stages from TED and the Super Bowl with Cirque du Soleil to the G20 Summit, Discovery Channel, and Tribeca Film Festival. She frequently speaks at global platforms like the United Nations General Assembly and Google, exploring how the convergence of arts and technology drives human transformation.
With experience at NASA, MIT, and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences, Tsakos is developing Paraboles, the first research-driven performance in microgravity and cultural prototype for space environments. Her mission: to create utterly original theatrical experiences on Earth and beyond.

For more information please contact us at (305) 237-3560

Holiday - Thanksgiving
2025-11-27 08:00 - 2025-11-28 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.
2025-12-12 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.
2025-12-15 08:00 - 17:00, 2026-05-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Winter Recess. The College will be closed for winter recess.
2025-12-22 08:00 - 2026-01-04 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Spring Term. Classes begin: 16 weeks.
2026-01-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Holiday - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
2026-01-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MAGIC Event - Super Smash Bros. & Mario Kart Showdown!
2026-02-13 08:00 - 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.

Holiday – Presidents’ Day
2026-02-16 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Employee Retreat No Classes. The college will be open.
2026-03-05 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Spring Break - College Closed
2026-03-23 08:00 - 2026-03-27 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

The Pitch Event
2026-03-31 10:00 - 16:00 | MAGIC Incubator – Building 8, Room 8119, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

The Pitch Event - Industry @ MAGIC
2026-04-02 08:00 - 17:00 | 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

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 08:00 - 17:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

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

Summer Term. 12-week classes begin.
2026-05-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Summer Term. First 6-week mini-term begin.
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
