Comic-Con 2026: Full Schedule

10:00am PDT

Comic-Con Film School 101: Preproduction and Screenwriting

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Comic-Con Film School returns for another four-day nuts-and-bolts course on how to make a movie for very little money using available video hardware and software. Whether the project is a first G.I. Joe fan film or a story about a leather-clad girl who hunts zombies, the course covers the process from script to final product, including how to submit a movie to the CCI: IFF. This first session covers the specifics of low-budget preproduction, including screenwriting, scheduling, location scouting, crewing up, and getting equipment for little or no money. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).

Thursday July 23, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

The Filmmaking Process and Reemergence of Found Footage

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Anthony Cousins (director of Frogman and Frogman Returns), Stuart Ortiz (director, Grave Encounters, Strange Harvest), Brandon Christensen (director of Bodycam, Z, Superhost), Josh Goldbloom (producer, V/H//S/85, V/H//S/ Beyond, V/H//S/ Halloween), and actress Natalie Tran (Frogman Returns) discuss the filmmaking process and challenges of making a found-footage film, and why the genre is back and stronger than ever. Moderated by Blair Bathory (director of REM).

Thursday July 23, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Horror and Suspense, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Horror and Suspense, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Make a No-Budget Feature Film

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Sam Rocco (director, Stegosaurus), Curtis Waugh (producer, Stegosaurus), Huck Walton (producer, Legend of the White Dragon), Jessie McKollum (hair and makeup artist), Kait Cornuelle (writer/director), and Jessica Antenorcruz (writer/narrative designer) discuss what it really takes to make a feature film outside the traditional studio system. From writing a script filmmakers can actually afford to surviving production disasters and getting to a finished film, the panel shares practical lessons learned across all filmmaking disciplines. The discussion offers a realistic understanding of how independent filmmakers can turn an idea into a completed feature without waiting for permission from the industry.

Thursday July 23, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

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

6:45pm PDT

Documentary Filmmaking and Video Essays

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

If you've ever wanted to make your own documentary film or video essay, this panel is a must. Edward Doty (director, Fighting in Plain Sight) moderates an all-star panel of directors, producers, and network executives in a roundtable discussion that will prepare attendees to craft their own nonfiction work. Panelists include Mike J. Nichols (editor, Zappa and Last Play at Shea), Amanda Spain (VP of documentary, EverWonder Studios), Matthew Klickstein (author/producer, Meet Me in San Diego), and Gabriel Molton (owner, Daydream Studios).

Thursday July 23, 2026 6:45pm - 7:45pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Books, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Books, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

10:00am PDT

Comic-Con Film School 102: Production

Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Day 2 of this four-day course on micro-budget moviemaking focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques and low-cost lighting to crew positions that are essential and those that are not, as well as costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Kevin Allen (script supervisor), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).

Friday July 24, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

4:00pm PDT

Badass on a Budget: Timeless Tips for Making Your Zero-Budget Action Film

Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Eric Jacobus (God of War, Rope-A-Dope), Mike Cheslik (Hundreds of Beavers), and Brian Le (The Furious) share timeless tips for getting a zero-budget indie action film off the ground. Q&A and signings follow.

Friday July 24, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Action/Adventure, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, CCI-IFF and Film School, Marriott Programs, Movies, Seminars & Workshops

10:00am PDT

Comic-Con Film School 103: Working with Actors and a Crew

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Day 3 of this course on micro-budget moviemaking covers how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep a production running without anyone making a dime. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina), Megan Rees (LEGO Disney Princess: The Castle Quest), Kevin Allen (The Party), and Bradley Upton (Dark Commandos).

Saturday July 25, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

1:30pm PDT

Funding Your Director's Vision

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) demystifies the world of film financing. Industry insiders and filmmaker-entrepreneurs Rachel Goldberg (Agatha All Along), Alan Luna (One Hundred Years of Solitude), Asha Chai-Chang (Marque Dos), and Larissa Calva Ruiz (counsel in the Entertainment Group at Frankfurt Kurnit) share real strategies for funding projects at every level, navigating investor relationships, and building sustainable creative careers. Whether working as an indie filmmaker or within the studio system, this panel equips attendees with the tools to get projects financed and voices heard. Intro provided by Ashley Maria (AWD board representative).

Saturday July 25, 2026 1:30pm - 2:30pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Anniversaries, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies | 1: Programs, Anniversaries, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies

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

6:30pm PDT

Filmmaking in the New Era: Partnerships, Distribution, and Audience Growth

Saturday July 25, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

Alex Stulac (director, Stulac Marketing), Brian Walker (CEO, Picture Motion), Tara McNamara (film critic, Critics Choice Association), Alexa Whiteside (CEO, WAM Entertainment Law), and Jennifer Fischer (executive director, Journeys in Film) discuss what makes films successful today and how filmmakers can build on that foundation through brand and nonprofit partnerships, smart distribution, and audience growth. Panelists share real-world examples from studio campaigns to independent projects that resonate, travel farther, and drive real impact. Attendees will leave with practical tools and strategies for launching projects and expanding reach in a rapidly evolving industry.

Saturday July 25, 2026 6:30pm - 7:30pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

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

7:30pm PDT

Selling the Hit: What You Always Wanted to Know About the Stunt Industry: In Memory of Eric Cajiuat

Saturday July 25, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

These professional stunt performers have been set on fire, thrown through windows, and occasionally mistaken for the lead actor. They share outrageous stories, hard truths, and practical advice on how to enter the stunt world and dissect an action scene live to show how movie magic (and pain tolerance) really works. Panelists include Janeshia Adams-Ginyard (double for Danai Gurira), Brian Danner (stunt coordinator/weapons expert), Esteban Cueto (double for Dwayne Johnson), Thekla Hutyrova (martial arts badass), and Michael DeCamp (dreamy stuntman). Moderated by Justin T. Bowler.

Saturday July 25, 2026 7:30pm - 8:30pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

10:00am PDT

Comic-Con Film School 104: Postproduction and Distribution

Sunday July 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

The final day of this comprehensive course on micro-budget moviemaking focuses on what to do after a movie is shot. Panelists go over the basics of postproduction, including what software to use for editing, graphic design, sound design, and visual effects, as well as how to optimize a movie for uploading to the internet. Panelists include Valerie Perez (producer and star of the Paula Peril series), Jack Conway (creative producer for V10 Entertainment), Darryl Thomas (writer and director of Dollface the Motion Picture), Ben Hansford (writer and director of Uprising), and Sean Rourke (writer and director of Lucy X Mina).

Sunday July 26, 2026 10:00am - 11:00am PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, Education, Marriott Programs, Movies, Writers & Writing

11:00am PDT

CCI-IFF Awards Presentation

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

The films have been shown—now it's time to hand out the trophies and recognition. Comic-Con's Adam Neese (IFF and programming coordinator) talks with this year's trio of judges—film producer and animation impresario since 1980 Ron Diamond, award-winning film and television editor and activist Stephanie Filo, and filmmaker and comic book creator Patricio Ginelsa (Lumpia with a Vengeance)—about the films and then presents trophies to the winners.

Sunday July 26, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, Awards Ceremonies, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies | 1: Programs, Awards Ceremonies, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies

12:00pm PDT

CCI-IFF Award Showcase

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

A replaying of all seven of the award-winning films from 2026.

Sunday July 26, 2026 12:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Grand 6, Marriott Marquis San Diego Marina

4: CCI-IFF, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies | 1: Programs, CCI-IFF and Film School, International, Marriott Programs, Movies

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