In the heart of New York, Mike, a curious, nerdy teenager, sets out on a seemingly simple mission: to buy a copy of the porn magazine “Torso” and admire its sculpted, alluring bodies. What could possibly go wrong? As unexpected twists unfold, he is swept into a chaotic urban odyssey—a wild ride that marks his definitive leap into adulthood. An animated portrait of adolescence, the film blends self-discovery, awkwardness, shame, excitement, and vulnerability. With tenderness and humor, it offers a soulful reminder that we’ve all been in Mike’s shoes—a story that will leave you smiling.
Festival
schedule
Attending: Marcello Paolillo (director of Mike and The Magazine), Jose Mari Goenaga Balerdi (director of Maspalomas)
Biography
film director
Marcello Paolillo
Marcello Paolillo is the co‑founder of the production company Art of Panic and a member of the European Film Academy and the David di Donatello jury. He currently works as an Editorial Consultant for I Wonder Pictures and as a Project Manager for the Locarno Film Festival. After years working across production, distribution, acquisitions, international sales, and festival programming, he made his directorial debut in 2025 with the animated short Mike and the Magazine.
Cast
& Credits
Montaggio/Editing Marcello Paolillo
Produttore/Producer Lucia Nicolai, Marcello Paolillo
Produzione/Production Art of Panic
