Robot Dreams and the Madrid-based storyboard artist: Maca Gil

Narration without dialogue

Maca Gil was a 15-year-old who decided to devote himself to animation. The spark came from a book about mixed art, and the film traces how Disney studied Rapunzel for more than six decades before bringing the story to the big screen in 2010. He recalls, “I always wanted to draw, but I didn’t understand how it worked. When I saw cartoons I didn’t understand, I realized how what you draw becomes real on screen, and this book explains the craft of animation.” The scene featured a storyboard artist shaping early sketches that hinted at an animated film, described in an interview with El Periódico de España of the Prensa Ibérica group.

The Madrid-based cartoonist, now twice as old as when he started, is marking the completion of his latest film in the coming days. Robot Dreams has earned nominations across the board: the Oscars, the Annies, and other major animation honors. It has already won the European Film Award for Europe’s best animated film and the best original score in the same category as Gaudí. It will become clear whether Pablo Berger’s film, set to release this Saturday in Torremolinos, secures one of the four Goyas it is up for.

“We won’t go to the Oscars because it’s a bit much, but a few of us from the crew will attend. Robot Dreams heads to the Goya and Annie awards,” says Maca Gil. He will attend Valladolid Feria tonight with a mix of excitement and nerves. He studied with Berger and José Luis Águeda, and the art director is confident that “something clicked.”

“Annie is tough to take in because Miyazaki is nominated again with his films Spirited Away, Totoro, and Boy and Heron, a beloved figure in the animation world. Still, it feels amazing to be recognized. I hope a colleague wins, but maybe we can win in the independent film category at Annie or the animated feature at the Goyas. Competing are Hanna and the Monsters, The Pianist, Mummies, and Sultan’s Dream.”

Narration without dialogue

Robot Dreams tells the story of a lonely dog living in Manhattan and the android he befriends as an adventure companion. The film adapts the graphic novel of the same name by American illustrator Sara Varon. The story relies entirely on gestures and expressions, with music by Alfonso de Vilallonga, who chose a Goya-like approach for the soundtrack rather than dialogue.

‘Storyboard’ by Maca Gil from a scene in Pablo Berger’s film ‘Robot Dreams’. APPOINTED

“One striking aspect was that the project is entirely dialogue-free, which posed a major challenge during production. The storyboard allowed the team to convey everything visually. It was thrilling to tell the story through movement alone, expressing emotion and mood purely through character language,” Gil notes.

“As I told their stories, I fell in love with the characters and felt like they were mine.”

Maca Gil – ‘Storyboarder’ from ‘Robot Dreams’

Maca Gil says the film seems born from a very childlike idea but resonates deeply with adults: it speaks to urban loneliness in New York, the unraveling of a friendship, and the opening of a new chapter in life.

A scene from Pablo Berger’s film ‘Robot Dreams’. APPOINTED

Gil had to adapt Sara Varon’s drawings for the film. Balancing adaptation with original invention brought both challenges and rewards. “The Sara Varon characters have a charming, almost childish look that hides a remarkable expressive power. Dani Fernández Casas, another Annie nominee, joined the team and we planned a trip to Los Angeles in February. I began by drawing in Varon’s style, then found my own way. Dani refined the character designs, and the details of Dog, Robot, and the others took shape,” he explains. “As I told their stories, I connected to the characters and felt they were mine.”

Pablo Berger and José Luis Ágreda

Maca Gil first met the film’s art director, José Luis Ágreda, at the Cartoon Saloon studio where Robot Dreams was born. The pandemic forced a shift to a pop-up studio, and the project continued there until completion. Gil describes how this period forged a close collaboration with Cartoon Saloon on projects like My Father’s Dragon and The Last Story of Marcie for Apple TV.

Berger reached out through his contacts at Cartoon Saloon after returning to Madrid, and Gil was captivated by his enthusiasm. He had been collaborating with Ágreda and Berger for about a year and a half in a workspace they referred to as Pablo’s cabin on Gran Vía.

‘Storyboard’ created by Maca Gil from scenes in Pablo Berger’s film ‘Robot Dreams’. APPOINTED

What set the team apart, Gil notes, was the care given from the start. “The director and art director stayed closely involved throughout the process, guiding the storyboard and refining animation. In many productions, the workflow is more hierarchical, with notes flowing in a distant loop. It was refreshing to see the director stay on top and clearly convey his vision for each shot.” Ágreda’s early approach helped shape the project. “They proposed strong plans,” Gil adds. “I feel fortunate to be invited to such a special project. Robot Dreams stands out in its own quiet, heartfelt way, not chasing a Hollywood speed but honoring the story’s core. It’s unique and it works.”

‘Storyboard’ by Maca Gil from a scene in Pablo Berger’s film ‘Robot Dreams’. APPOINTED

The Madrid-born artist reflects on the nominations for Robot Dreams, noting that the animation industry seems to crave more 2D offerings. “Two 2D features nominated at the Oscars is unusual and a big deal this year; it’s a rare overlap with Miyazaki’s latest works.”

Studied in Spain

Maca Gil dreamed of studying animation at prestigious California institutions, but the plan proved financially unfeasible. He explains that the cost was prohibitive and that the idea of borrowing $200,000 to pursue it was not possible for his family. He completed a degree in Animation from the Universidad Europea de Madrid’s U-tad in 2016. He recalls that a pivotal moment came when he encountered storyboard, realizing it fit his strengths. He loves fast sketching, capturing ideas quickly, and then moving forward.

‘Storyboard’ by Maca Gil from a scene in Pablo Berger’s film ‘Robot Dreams’. APPOINTED

Today, Maca Gil works with Marvel on an unannounced comic book slated for next year, while also contributing storyboards for animated features as a freelancer. His earlier work includes projects with DC. Spain remains a leading force in European animation, employing thousands and contributing to a vibrant industry.

Maca Gil dreams of collaborating on meaningful projects with people who share a genuine passion and hopes to create original work with friends, all while staying rooted in Madrid. He is described as a complete animation professional, dedicated to the craft and the people who bring it to life.