Miami, October 2, 2025 – The Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College (MDC) is celebrating a decade of shaping Miami into a global hub for digital arts, immersive media, and creative technology. To mark this special milestone, MAGIC will host a reception on Tuesday, Oct. 14, featuring a screening of films and games produced by students, recognition of alumni and industry partners, and the launch of the MAGIC Student Scholarship Fund to expand access for future innovators.
“Over the past decade, MAGIC has become a space where ideas turn into worlds,” said Mauricio Ferrazza, Founder and Chairperson of MAGIC. “Watching students bring their characters, stories, and games to life—often in collaboration with industry legends—has been one of the most creatively fulfilling experiences of my career.”
Launched in 2015 as the first facility of its kind at a public institution in Florida, MAGIC has grown from just 65 students to more than 800 today. Housed at MDC Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami, MAGIC has graduated over 600 students, many whom now work at leading studios such as Nickelodeon, Ubisoft, Bungie Games, TelevisaUnivision, NBC, and Telemundo.
“Creativity is the most notable strength I’ve observed among students,” said Drew Tolman, Producer at Walt Disney Television Animation. “Their approach to design and storytelling is imaginative, and their ability to translate ideas into technically polished work is impressive. MAGIC students always inspire me with their energy, curiosity, and fresh perspective on our industry. They know they’re entering a competitive, challenging field and yet are open to all those challenges with a smile on their face.”
Students and alumni have also created award-winning films, groundbreaking VR simulations, and games that have reached audiences worldwide. For many of them, the experience has been transformative in other ways too.
“MAGIC taught me how to be a leader. In the past I was very shy and avoided speaking. I went from someone who tried to stay hidden to someone who rarely hesitated to share my ideas and opinions,” said Arin Taylor, a MAGIC student who had a lead role on the capstone project Astro’s Adventures at Frost Science.
MAGIC’s impact goes far beyond the classroom. With over $1 million secured in grants and institutional support, the program has built accessible pathways into one of the fastest-growing industries in the world. Partnerships with major companies and entities—including Disney Jr., TelevisaUnivision, Warner Bros. Animation, AMD and the Phillip & Patricia Frost Science Museum—have established MAGIC as a recognized pipeline for industry-ready talent.
In addition to bolstering Miami’s reputation as a creative tech hub, MAGIC is a catalyst for economic development, ensuring that local and incoming talent from all over the world has access to cutting-edge opportunities. Its affordability—at a fraction of the cost of private institutions—has positioned it as a national model for digital arts education.
“For the past decade, MAGIC at Miami Dade College’s Wolfson Campus has been a powerful engine of creativity and opportunity—strengthening our community by opening doors for local talent to thrive in highly competitive fields,” said Miami-Dade County Commissioner Eileen Higgins.
About MAGIC
Modeled after a professional production studio, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex (MAGIC) at Miami Dade College has become a hub for animation and gaming, uniting enthusiasts, studio executives, software developers, artists, and other professionals from across the country to collaborate on groundbreaking projects. MAGIC offers industry-driven academic programs, including two Associates in Arts in Animation & Game Art and Game Development & Design to prepare students for high-demand careers. It also pioneered one of Florida’s first College Credit Certificates in Virtual and Augmented Reality Technologies, equipping students to create immersive simulations for industries ranging from healthcare and logistics to entertainment. This year, MAGIC expanded its offerings with the launch of a Digital Production Studio and LED Volume Stage course, further enhancing its animation curriculum and ensuring students gain hands-on experience with cutting-edge tools shaping the future of digital media. Learn more at https://magic.mdc.edu.
About Miami Dade College
Miami Dade College (MDC) is the most diverse institution in the nation, with 167 nations and 63 languages represented in its student body. The college’s eight campuses and outreach centers offer over 300 distinct degree pathways, including associate and baccalaureate degrees, certifications and apprenticeships. MDC is the recipient of many top national awards, including the prestigious Aspen Prize, and has been ranked #5 among Top Public Institutions in the Southern Region by U.S. News & World Report. The College changes lives through accessible, high-quality teaching and learning experiences. It is home to the Miami Culinary Institute, the Miami Animation & Gaming International Complex, the Miami Fashion Institute, The Idea Center, the Cybersecurity Center of the Americas, two AI Centers, the Center for Learning, Innovation and Simulation at the Medical Campus, the Business Innovation & Technology Center, the School for Advanced Studies and New World School of the Arts, among others. MDC has been recognized among the nation’s “Great Colleges to Work For” since the program’s inception. The College serves as an economic, cultural and civic leader for the advancement of our diverse global community. MDC alumni and employees contribute more than $5 billion annually to the local economy, and graduates occupy top leadership positions in every major industry. MDC’s renowned rich cultural programming includes the Miami Book Fair, Miami Film Festival, the National Historic Landmark Miami Freedom Tower, Koubek Center Mansion and Gardens, Live Arts Miami at MDC, the Lynn and Louis Wolfson II Florida Moving Image Archives, and the Museum of Art and Design. MDC has admitted more than 2.5 million students and counting, since it opened its doors in 1960. Approximately 125,000 students are currently enrolled. For more information, visit www.mdc.edu.
For more information, please contact Mauricio Ferrazza, MAGIC Chairperson at 305-237-7852, mferrazz@mdc.edu.