This initiative links Miami-based animation and gaming professionals with the global animation and gaming industries
Miami, Sept. 18, 2023 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC), CAMACOL, the Latin Chamber of Commerce of the United States, and its Miami Media and Film Market (MMFM) in collaboration with CareerSource South Florida, announced today an innovative initiative to connect local Miami animation/gaming students and professionals, with companies around the globe. The announcement was made during the 2023 Miami Media and Film Market (MMFM) taking place at the Miami Beach Convention Center.
“We are thrilled and extremely proud that MAGIC has been chosen as the exclusive training provider for these professionals and to play such a key role in growing Miami’s talent pool within the gaming and animation industries,” said Mauricio Ferrazza, MAGIC chairperson.
The objective of this animation and training incentive program is to create jobs and opportunities for talented, emerging Miami gaming and animation professionals who are financially challenged. The program will provide participants with free, hands-on skills training and grant them the opportunity to work on local, national or international animation, gaming and visual effects projects. Training will be provided at MDC’s MAGIC. Work will be performed remotely, or onsite with local companies.
“We are very excited about this project which will create jobs for our local talent, we are so grateful to all of our partners including Miami Dade County which has been a staunch supporter of CAMACOL and our Miami Media and Film Market program and to Rick Beasley, Executive Director of CareerSource South Florida.” said Joe Chi, President of CAMACOL.
Participating companies will be able to work with Miami-based animators especially trained to meet their needs. In addition, employers will receive a financial incentive worth up to 40% of the salary for each animator hired for the first six months of employment, which can be extended on a case-by-case basis. Program costs will be funded by MMFM and CAMACOL. A group of professionals assembled by the partners in this program will guide companies through the process from start to end. This initiative is co-sponsored by the City of Miami American Rescue Plan Act Corona Virus State & Local Fiscal Recovery Funds.
Applications for this program are now open. For more information visit https://www.miamimediafilmmarket.org/animation-incentive.php#.
For information about training at MDC’s MAGIC please contact Mauricio Ferrazza, at mferrazz@mdc.edu, 305-237-7852.
MMFM and CAMACOL press contact: Patricia Arias, patricia@camacol.org.
About MAGIC
With facilities that mimic the production pipeline from PIXAR Studios, and located at MDC’s Wolfson Campus, the Miami Animation and Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) offers students an intensive, hands-on two-year program to develop skills in modeling, lighting, motion, sound, and storytelling. The program also provides an opportunity to gain command of the technical skills required in today’s highly competitive animation industry. MAGIC bridges the gap in affordability and accessibility, providing quality programming and the very best facilities at a fraction of the cost compared to private competitors. For more information, visit www.magic.mdc.edu.
About CAMACOL
CAMACOL is the largest and one of the most important Hispanic business organizations in the State of Florida and one of the most influential minority business groups in the United States. For more than six decades, CAMACOL’s mission has been to foster the entrepreneurial spirit of Florida’s Hispanic and minority communities, and as such, it conducts programs to strengthen business activity, promote economic development, facilitate international commerce, and serve the civic needs of the community and state. In 2009 CAMACOL spearheaded an initiative to foster the creative industry sector and established MMFM to address this need. For more information visit: https://camacol.org/index.php
About the Miami Media & Film Market
Since 2010 The Miami Media & Film Market (MMFM), has grown into one of the top creative and business development conferences for film, tv, and digital media creation in Florida, benefitting both our local entertainment community and the global screen industries. MMFM is consistently working to develop professional opportunities and educational initiatives that will enable Miami-Dade County to be THE hub for Creatives. Learn more at https://www.miamimediafilmmarket.org/