MAGIC

Esports - OBS Streaming Workshop
2025-07-01 13:00 - 17:00 (America/New_York) | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Come to the Esports and learn how to stream using OBS! No experience required. This event is open to all club members. Pizza, snacks and drinks will be available for
sale. More information on our Discord

Holiday - 4th of July
2025-07-04 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Summer Camp - Gaming: Video Game Programming
2025-07-07 08:00 - 2025-07-11 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Esports - Marvel Rivals Random Tournament
2025-07-15 14:00 - 16:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Come to the Esports and show off your skills at the Marvel Rivals Tournament from 2 to 4PM! This event is open to all club members. Pizza, snacks and drinks will be available for sale. More information on our Discord

Summer Term - Last day of classes.
2025-08-01 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
2025-08-22 13:00 - 15:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

Fall Term: Classes begin
2025-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MDC Esports - Valorant Team Tryouts
2025-08-27 12:00 - 15:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: August 27th
Time: 12 PM -3 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: Valorant Team Tryouts
Event Description: It’s time for Tryouts! Interested in competing on the MDC Esports Valorant team? Additional information available on the sign up page.
REGISTER HERE

To join our community, join the Esports Discord Channel and follow us on Instagram or Twitter @esports_mdc!

Holiday - Labor Day
2025-09-01 08:00 - 17:00 | Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex @ MDC, 315 NE 2nd Ave - Building 8, Miami, FL, 33132, United States

MDC Esports - Overwatch 2 Team Tryouts
2025-09-02 12:00 - 16:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: September 2nd, 2025
Time: 12 PM -4 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: Overwatch 2 Team Tryouts
Event Description: It’s time for Tryouts! Interested in competing on the MDC Esports Valorant team? Additional information available on the sign up page.
REGISTER HERE

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

VR Projects TRY OUTS - Programmers, Game Dev and Animators Needed
2025-09-03 10:00 - 12:00 | MAGIC Open Lab – Building 8, Room 8108, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
EARN WHILE YOU LEARN
The MAGIC department and the STEM Legacy Grant are looking for talented programmers, game developers and animators to work on a Virtual Reality Project during the Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms. Students will be paired with disciplines to create virtual and agumented reality simulations for education.
Earn Up to $1,000 for each term
Gain Production Experience
Grow in Your Field
Try Out for a spot on this program by coming to MAGIC on September 3rd, at 10am. Students will lbe selected for various projects and produce them through the 2025/2026 academic year.
Past projects produced through this program include “Holo Math”, “Lab Lockdown”, “Digestion ED”, “Everglades Ecosystem” and others. All these projects have been implemented in the classroom and assisted with student’s learning and outcomes.
Participation & Expectations – WHO QUALIFIES?
Second year students currently enrolled in the MAGIC academic programs. A positive attitute and strong communication skills, minimun of 5 work hours per week, participation in workshops, minimum of 5 credits enrolled at the Wolfson Campus for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 terms.
Game Developers – Come ready to Code!
Animators – Show off your 3D modeling and asset creation Skills!

More info?
Contact Brenna Verner at (305) 237-3560

MDC Esports - Membership Drive!
2025-09-09 13:00 - 15:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: September 9th
Time: 1 PM-3 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: MDC Esports Membership Drive!
Event Description: Join MDC Esports today at a discounted $20 for the entire Fall semester! Everyone who signs up this day will be entered into a raffle for various prizes, including Funko Pops and MDC Esports gear! There will also be Free Redbull for everyone who joins and snacks!

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

MAGIC Event - National Video Games Day: Super Smash Bros. & Mario Kart Showdown!
2025-09-12 12:00 - 16:00 | MAGIC Screening Room – Building 8, Room 8106, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
Join us for an afternoon of gaming, fun, and prizes as we celebrate National Video Games Day with back-to-back Super Smash Bros. and Mario Kart tournaments!Compete for glory, cheer on your friends, and claim epic bragging rights.
A $5 donation serves as your entry fee – RSVP HERE

Date: Friday, 09/12/25
Time: 12 PM – 4 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 and tournament. 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.

Snacks & Drinks:
Enjoy video game–themed snacks and drinks, available for a $1–$3 donation each.
Costumes encouraged!
Dress as your favorite character, snap pics with friends, and tag @magic_mdc for a chance to win exclusive MAGIC swag.
Fanart contest!
Submit original art of your favorite video game character to Secretary Brenna at bverner@mdc.edu for a chance to be featured in our gallery and win a poster!
Prizes!

RSVP HERE

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 - Twitch Caster Tryouts
2025-09-16 13:00 - 15:00 | Esports Wolfson Campus – Building 1, Room 1157, 300 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, 33132, United States
Date: September 16th
Time: 1 PM-3 PM
Where: Wolfson Campus, Buillding 1 – Room 1155
Event Name: Twitch Caster Tryouts!
Event Description: Want to be a valued member of the MDC Esports team? Tryout to be our official Twitch Caster! If you have experience with Twitch, OBS, streaming, etc, we’re looking for someone like you to help us with our Match broadcasts every week! Reach out to jpuig@mdc.edu for more info and to sign up!

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

Town Hall - September
2025-09-17 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.

Changemaker Week at MAGIC - Virtual Visions: Stories that Spark Change
2025-09-18 15:00 - 16:00 | MAGIC Open Lab – Building 8, Room 8108, 315 NE 2nd Avenue, Miami, FL, 33132, United States
The MAGIC Department is excited to be part of this year’s Changemaker Week (September 15–21). Our featured event, Virtual Visions: Stories that Spark Change, will showcase the immersive VR simulations developed by MAGIC students in collaboration with faculty across disciplines over the past two years.

Join us on September 18th, from 3:00 to 4:00 p.m., and step into interactive experiences that merge storytelling, science, and technology. The projects include:
Lab Lockdown (Chemistry) – with Professor Davia Holness
Created by students at MAGIC and Dr. Davia Holness, this chemistry focused escape room game challenges players to solve content driven puzzles to escape a locked laboratory. Tasks include using property-based clues to identify and correctly place missing elements on the periodic table.
Digestion ED (Nutrition) – with Professor Olubisi Faoye
Developed by students at MAGIC, this immersive biology module lets learners explore the human digestive system in VR. Embedded quizzes reinforce learning throughout the experience, making it a powerful tool for self-guided study. The simulation was developed under the guidance of Professor Olubisi Faoye.
Stellar Factor (Math Factors) – with Professor Manini Nguyen
Created by students at MAGIC and Professor Manini Nguyen, the game trasnports you to alien worlds where by finding a series of objects and solving a series of Math Factors, it will get you back home.

MAGIC Lead Faculty: Prof. Silvia Sayas and Prof. Mel Tomeo
Music Supervisor: Dr. Susan Epstein – Garcia, NWSA
Department Chairperson: Mauricio Ferrazza

The event is posted on the Changemaker Hub and will also appear on the MDC Wolfson Calendar. Come see how MAGIC students are harnessing VR to inspire learning and spark change.

MAGIC Event - K-Pop Demon Hunters: Film Screening + Sing-Along Dance Party
2025-09-26 12:00 - 16:00 | 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 – Building 1, Room 1261, 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 | 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
