When creativity meets industry: the major milestones of UDIT's Animation and Videogames Area in 2025
The Animation and Videogames Area of UDIT, University of Design, Innovation and Technology, has lived 2025 marked by initiatives that focus on student talent and connect academic training with the industry. Through professional fairs, their own competitions and participation in national and international festivals, students and alumni have demonstrated their creative, technical and narrative skills in projects with a high professional level.
From meetings such as Match in Games or ANIMAFEST to awards and selections in leading competitions, the milestones of 2025 reflect UDIT's commitment to practical, job-oriented education and creative entrepreneurship .
- Match in Games
On 5 June 2025, UDIT held a new edition of Match in Games, the Video Game Entrepreneurship and Employment Fair, where 40 students from University Degree in Video Game Design and Development and Training Cycle in 3D Animation, Games and Interactive Environments presented their projects to professionals from the sector. The aim of the fair was to showcase the talent and creativity of the students, who presented their Final Degree Projects and Final Cycle Projects, connecting directly with companies and receiving the interest of authorities such as María Yolanda Estrada Madrid, Councillor President of the Chamartín District.
During the day, attendees participated in round tables on job opportunities with alumni from the university and enjoyed networking spaces . The awards ceremony recognised the best projects: ZEP, by ArrecifeGames, won the jury's first prize; Kelpie, by DevSurvivors, won second prize; Hot Potato, by Wild Alchemists, came third and also won the audience award, while El Camino de Geraldo, by Tres Bravas Team, received the Steam award .
- The videogame ZEP wins at the BIG Indie Contest
The video game ZEP, developed by the students of the Degree in Video Game Design and Development David Valero, Miguel Ángel Blanco, Víctor Manuel del Campo, Diego Fuentes, Norma Alejandra Martínez, Ignacio Tapia, Hugo Trillo and Álvaro Espinosa, won the Best University Game Award at the BIG Indie Contest 2025, organised by AEVI in Bilbao. The award was presented during the Titanium Awards gala, held on 13 December at the Euskalduna Palace, as part of the BIG Conference 2025.
ZEP combines fishing mini-games with bullet hell style combat, all with cartoon aesthetics and a humorous tone. Players take on the role of the young fisherman Zep, exploring a sea world full of wildlife and characters on the island of Muutu. Thanks to this award, the team received 2,000 euros that will allow them to continue with the development and promotion of the game.
- Animafest UDIT is born
This year also saw the first edition of Animafest UDIT 2025, an animation competition designed as a professional springboard for students and a meeting point for the industry in Madrid, withcategories for UDIT students and for students and alumni from other institutions, with the aim of making emerging talent visible and rewarding it . The short film 'Marinero en Tierra', by Sara Ayala, won the ANIMAFEST Award for Best Short Film 2025, as well as the award for Best Sound and Soundtrack. Other awards included 'The Hook ' for Best Direction, 'NationalMythology ' for Best Original Screenplay and 'TheOffish ' for Best Character Design.
The day included masterclasses and networking spaces , where attendees learned from industry professionals. Victor Paredes, co-founder of Moho Animation Software, demonstrated innovative 2D animation techniques, while Homer and Bart Simpson voice actors Sara Vivas and Carlos Ysbert shared professional dubbing secrets and gave interactive demonstrations that generated fun and learning among the audience.
- Students unleash their creativity at Animaweek
Once again this year, the University's Animation and Video Games Department organised Animaweek, a week in which the students of the Bachelor's Degree in Animation must work on the creation of a short animated film with a maximum duration of one minute, inspired by a surprise theme that is revealed a few hours before the start of the event .
- The talent of animation students, recognised at national and international festivals
In 2025, short films made by students of the Degree in Animationhave been recognised at leading national and international festivals, consolidating the projection of the university's young talent. Among them is Ventura, directed by Juan Cermeño, with the participation of Urtzi Errasti, Dex Rubio, Javier Jiménez, José Lin, María Vicente, Mika Hernández, Triana Mañas, Lucas Bedate, Alma Candil, Ares Asegurado, Marta Mourenza, Julián Sueiro and Celia Márquez, which has been part of the official selection at festivals such as Sitges, MECAL Barcelona, AMIK Rövidfilmfesztivál, Time Line Film Festival and Valencia Indie Film Festival, as well as participating in the national KID Festival and being a finalist in the Europa Film Festival. The short film tells the story of four friends preparing for a decisive race in a world inhabited by humans, elves and anthropomorphic animals.
International recognition has also come to "Frat Magic", which has been a finalist at the New York Short Animation Festival and a semi-finalist at the Los Angeles Film Awards, achieving visibility in the US market. On a national level, "A Solid Future " was selected for the Weird Talent festival , where it was screened in front of professionals from the sector, reinforcing its career after its participation in international festivals.