Comic-Con 2026: Full Schedule

12:00pm PDT

To Film School or Not to Film School, Animation Is the Question!

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Is going to film school for animation worth it? Does not having an animation degree result in career limbo? Tom Sito (USC, Beauty and the Beast, Shrek), Amy Winfrey (UCLA, BoJack Horseman, Making Fiends), Tom Klein (LMU School of Film and Television; chair of animation), Lynn Okimura (UCLA, CSULB; animation director, Secret Plan Studios), and Dawn Yamazi (ArtCenter; assistant chair, illustration and entertainment arts), who are both animation educators and industry professionals, discuss the benefits of structured learning and arts training at an academic institution, whether it is a good fit, and what alternatives exist. Moderated by Natalie Xavier (UCLA).

Friday July 24, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs | 1: Programs, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs

1:00pm PDT

Sean the Baby

Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A heartwarming 3D musical animation following Sean, a 3-year-old boy, and his dad as they navigate Sean's whimsical dream world. Turning everyday parenting milestones into epic musical numbers, this short film explores family dynamics with warmth and humor. Participating panelists include Jee Suk Kim (director, writer, animator), AMÉLIA., and Cameron Adams (composers).

Friday July 24, 2026 1:00pm - 1:20pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

1:20pm PDT

SIX

Friday July 24, 2026 1:20pm - 1:40pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A werewolf breaks into the mansion of a renowned monster hunter to mourn the loss of a loved one, only to be confronted by the hunter and forced to fight for his life. Participating panelists include Ellis Middleton (actor, Superfish, Reverse:1999), Robert Fleet (actor, SIX; writer/director, Last Mountain), and Daniel Leon (writer/director).

Friday July 24, 2026 1:20pm - 1:40pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

1:40pm PDT

Blooky: The Book Who Wanted to Be Read

Friday July 24, 2026 1:40pm - 2:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A brand-new little book gets lost in the vast maze of a grand library and journeys through every section in search of where he belongs, only to realize that the most meaningful place to be is not always where he fits in best. Participating panelist Nathania Djuhar (producer).

Friday July 24, 2026 1:40pm - 2:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

2:00pm PDT

Silver Lake Shorts: Championing Independent Animation Through Community Organization

Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Jared Corwin and Benjamin Sharpe (co-executive directors) discuss building Silver Lake Shorts as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit championing independent filmmakers, animators, comedians, and comic artists in Los Angeles through free monthly screenings and a fellowship program. They are joined by animators Arius Ziaee and Kat Messing, recipients of the 2025 Silver Lake Shorts fellowship. Trailers for their fellowship films Wolpie of the Woods and Hot Drop: Lil Gibbos will screen alongside a half-hour block of eclectic animated shorts from the Silver Lake Shorts community. All four participate in a Q&A moderated by Mikey Heller (comics artist and writer of Cartoon Network's We Bare Bears and head writer of We Baby Bears). Sam Grinberg (comic artist and The Simpsons character designer) will make a special announcement about Silver Lake Comics at the end.

Friday July 24, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, Art and Illustration, CCI-IFF and Film School, Comics, Marriott Programs | 1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, CCI-IFF and Film School, Comics, Marriott Programs

3:00pm PDT

Franken Struck

Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A reckless hand, a lethal play, a love so pure now ripped away. Forged hot from rage and shocking light, the Creature's love must set things right. Participating panelists include Sommar Boulware (director), Katie Limentato (rigging artist), and Tsar Valenzuela (concept artist).

Friday July 24, 2026 3:00pm - 3:15pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

3:15pm PDT

The Last Bell

Friday July 24, 2026 3:15pm - 3:40pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

In 1817, in a remote village haunted by the Vurdalak, former soldier Lorenzo leaves to hunt the creature while Margarita remains alone with their newborn child and a single warning: if the last bell rings at midnight, she must not open the door. This animated gothic horror short reveals a story of fear, resilience, and silent heroism in the face of darkness. Participating panelists include Alberto Cano (director, Franceska), Alfonso Gutierrez (producer), and María de la Iglesia (production director).

Friday July 24, 2026 3:15pm - 3:40pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

3:40pm PDT

Duck & Sauerkraut

Friday July 24, 2026 3:40pm - 4:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Choucroute (sauerkraut) is lonely and bored. A hungry duck flies past. Choucroute sees the duck as a remedy for his loneliness. The duck sees Choucroute as a meal. The story of an impossible love between a duck and a sauerkraut.

Friday July 24, 2026 3:40pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

5:00pm PDT

TRUST

Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 5:20pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

An A.I. agent interrogates a hacker girl, but the girl starts claiming the A.I. agent is her mother. Participating panelists include Tomofumi Inoue (director) and Moka Miura (line producer).

Friday July 24, 2026 5:00pm - 5:20pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

5:20pm PDT

The Gun

Friday July 24, 2026 5:20pm - 5:45pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

This animated short is the first-ever adaptation of the short story by Philip K. Dick (Blade Runner, The Man in the High Castle). Written in 1952, this story takes place on a distant planet where all life has been annihilated through war. When a team of scientists decides to explore the surface, they find a terrifying weapon that still functions. Randall Christopher (The Driver Is Red, Kleeman and Mike) and Ken Garduno (concept artist) will be in attendance for a Q&A.

Friday July 24, 2026 5:20pm - 5:45pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

5:45pm PDT

Feathers and Fur

Friday July 24, 2026 5:45pm - 6:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

In a world with two species, Feathers or Fur, Samuel is a rare mixed species learning to cope at work. This time, his coworkers give him unsolicited advice on the different ways to flirt with his office crush. Participating panelists include Francesca Marinas (creator, producer), Wen Tong-Everitt (co-producer), and Briana Blanos (art director).

Friday July 24, 2026 5:45pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School

4:00pm PDT

Unlocking Virtual Production for Indie Filmmakers

Saturday July 25, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Independent creators are using game engines, mo-cap, and virtual production to achieve cinematic visuals on modest budgets. C. Craig (Fathead, ChikaBOOM!), Matt Galuppo (Avengers 2, TMNT), Marc Morisseau (Call of Duty, Fortnite Super Bowl), David Christopher Loya (Esperanza, G.O.D. OS), Irfan Merchant (Army of the Dead, Fortnite Super Bowl), Jeffrey Okun (Percy Jackson, Alien: Earth), and Austina Wang (Mandalorian, Last Airbender) break down core virtual production concepts, including virtual art departments, previs workflows, and emerging crew roles. Moderated by Kumari Bakhru (Guide to Postproduction).

Saturday July 25, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games | 1: Programs, Animation, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM, Video Games

Comic-Con 2026

12:00pm PDT

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1:20pm PDT

1:40pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

3:00pm PDT

3:15pm PDT

3:40pm PDT

5:00pm PDT

5:20pm PDT

5:45pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

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