Miami Dade College (MDC) will host the MIA Animation Conference & Festival on Friday, Oct. 21, and Saturday, Oct. 22, at MDC’s Wolfson Campus in downtown Miami.
The renowned event features world-renowned speakers, technology influencers from the nation’s top animation studios, universities, and the best talent in the industry. It has become one of the most exciting and cutting edge events in Miami, alongside a community of advanced technology-explorers, decision-makers, trend-setters, software developers, and creative industry professionals.
The industry conference focuses on computer animation, gaming, visual effects and motion graphics, film, Web design and visual arts. It draws some of the world’s top leaders in animation and education, and features exhibitions, workshops and master classes. It has been designed to be a forum for active networking and practical information exchange with strong commitment and emphasis in education while developing and nourishing new talent.
Featured speakers at this year’s MIA Animation Festival include Bill Buckley, a senior animator on blockbuster games such as Call of Duty, NBA and Guitar Hero; Mark Anthony Austin, a supervising animator for films including Despicable Me: Minion Mayhem 3D, The Avengers and Casper; David Steinberg, senior vice president production for Nick Animation Studios, and Aaron Parry, CCO and executive vice president of Deluxe 3D.
Some of this year’s highlights include Game On, the second annual indie game competition, which is sponsored by MIA Animation and the Idea Center @ MDC. The competition was created to encourage independent game development and fresh voices in the video game industry. In addition to a $1,000 cash award, the winner will receive a consulting meeting with an experienced incubator program. The finalists will be showcased at the MIA Animation Festival where attendees will be able to play the prototype. The submission deadline is July 15.
The MIA Animation Festival also will hold a Pitching Contest for applicants to submit animation projects for a TV animated series. The top submissions in both categories will be invited to pitch their idea in person to a panel of animation industry experts and professionals. The top pitch overall will be set up with interviews with major animation studio execs in Los Angeles. The submission deadline is Aug. 31.
Another highlight of the MIA Animation Festival is the Students and Young Directors competitions, which are currently taking submissions for animated films to be judged for conceptual, technical, and aesthetic innovation and excellence. The submission deadline is Sept. 15.
The conference is free for MDC students and faculty; $135 for students and $250 for professionals.
For more information, visit miaanimation.com or call 305-521-3429.
