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Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2008 Schedule

Thu, July 24 | Fri, July 25 | Sat, July 26 | Sun, July 27

All films and programs are in Room 26AB, on the south side of the Convention Center, above Hall H.

10:00-11:30 Comic-Con Film School 102: Production—Today’s class focuses on the specifics of production, from shooting techniques to lighting on the cheap, to crew positions you need (and don't need), to costuming, props, and set decorating for as little money as possible. Panelists for the class include Matt Kohnen (NYFA, writer/director of Wasting Away), Valerie Perez (producer/star of Paula Peril—Trapped in the Flames and Tears of the Dragon, a Lara Croft Fan Film), Nick Murphy (director of Tears of the Dragon), Aaron Shoenke (director of Batman Legends and Patient J), and Sean Rourke (writer/director of 1st Person Shooter).

Animation Part 1

11:30-11:50 A Game of Cat and Mouse—A basic cat and mouse chase cartoon with a twist answers the question: Why would a cat keep running away from a mouse? Animator and director Angela O’Sullivan talks about her film.

11:50-12:10 The Coyote and the Tortoise—Based on the classic fable, this animated tale recounts the race between a wise tortoise and an arrogant coyote. The Coyote and the Tortoise presents a tale of persistence and humility. Writer/director Len Simon, animation director of Fox's Titan A.E., talks about his film.

12:10-12:30 The Turtle and the Shark—Based on a popular Samoan legend, which tells the story of a man and a woman who are deeply in love. Unfortunately the man is chosen to be the next meal for the cannibal King Malietofaiga. Participating panelists include Ryan Woodward (director, BYU professor of animation, effects and storyboard artist: Spider-Man 2 & 3, The Iron Giant) and Jared Greenleaf (BYU MFA student).

12:30-12:55 The Tiny Fish (Rybka)—The small child’s world is wonderful and extremely complex. A seemingly unimportant event can lead to tragic disaster in a child’s life. On the other hand, kindness to the baby soul is capable of working a miracle, and it can even animate a tiny fish. Written and directed by Sergei Ryabov of Russia.

12:55-1:20 Red Princess Blues Animated—In this animated tale we meet Princess, a 12-year-old girl who finds herself in a strange country looking for her father. She is then taken in by a “unique” looking man who goes by Nino. The short film is completely from the perspective of Princess and what she is going through. She soon discovers the “Book of Violence” and slowly begins her journey that one day will lead to vengeance. Participating panelists include Paula Garces (The Shield, Harold & Kumar), Alex Ferrari (creator/producer), Dan Cragan (director/producer) and Antonio Hernandez (executive producer for Red Princess Blues Animated: The Book of Violence).

1:20-1:25 The Final Frontier—An encounter on an alien planet causes a momentary lapse of duty. Written and directed by Colin Bombard of the United Kingdom.

1:25-2:00 Foot: Phantom of the Forest—When Monty, a 10-year-old boy living in the 1970s, discovers that his recently deceased father was on the trail of Bigfoot, he finds himself on a quest that leads deep into the majestic and mysterious backwoods of Snohomish, Washington. Participating panelists include Mike Becker (founder of FunKo Inc.), Kirk Demarais (Flip), Vance Reeser (animator), and Jamey Clayberg (recording artist).

2:00-2:20 Hiccups—Charlie and Francis are two average college roommates plagued by a problem of vocal proportions! Unable to cram for their finals, they must overcome an unstoppable spasm of the diaphragm and find a solution to the epic hassle of Hiccups. Panelists for this comedic animated short include crewmembers Billy Burson III (lead director), Darnell Domingo (animator), Cameron Nitta, (writer/supervisor), John Susuico (technical director), and Mark Susuico, (animator).

2:20-2:45 Glitch—A technological glitch propels an unassuming guy into the futuristic underbelly of "the establishment." Trapped in this alternate dimension, can he outwit the enemy? Participating panelists include Peter Ricq (director/writer/producer), Nathan Thomas (animation consultant), and David Poirier (effects consultant).

2:45-3:00 Beatgirl: A Piece of Action!—BeBop, DooWop and Pow! A brief excursion by a hero who likes the dance as much as the fight, hitting the beats of the music and beating the hits of the bad guys! Martin Leeper, creator of Beatgirl, talks about his film.

3:00-3:45 Indie Genre Films—Drew McWeeny ("Moriarty") screenwriter/West coast editor of AintItCoolNews.com, moderates a panel about the art of making independent sci-fi, horror, and adventure movies with notable filmmakers: The Dowdle Brothers (co-writers/director, The Poughkeepsie Tapes, Quarantine); Oren Peli (writer/director/producer, Paranormal Activity); Jacob Gentry (co-writer/co-director/producer) and Dave Bruckner (co-writer/co-director), The Signal; Eric Zala (director/actor) and Chris Strompolus (producer/actor), The Raiders of the Lost Ark: The Adaptation; Adam Wingard (co-writer/director/producer of Pop Skull); Chad Feehan (producer) and Thomas Hammock (production designer, All the Boys Love Mandy Lane).

Animation Part 2

3:45-4:05 Invisible Master—An odd man in a bizarre environment must complete a dangerous mission with mind-blowing consequences! This 2D/3D animation was influenced by Jack Kirby, Jonny Quest, and the classic EC comics of old! Creator/animator Mike Fisher, Starlog cartoonist and creator of 3-D Pete as seen in Animation Magazine, will talk about his film.

4:05-4:25 Zoologic—Within the walls of this zoo, an overbearing zookeeper maintains order by arranging the animals to his liking. His rule begins to crumble when he encounters a blobby little penguin. From filmmaker Nicole Mitchell.

4:25-4:50 La Lune—A couple living on top of a bizarre hourglass and under a tree discover the moon accidentally for the first time. The woman's desire to reach and obtain the moon will lead them to experience things that they have never gone through before. In the end, they discover new things about themselves and new truths about the world they thought they knew. Gennady Babichecko (character modeler), Bum Shik Shim (titles and credits), and Kyung-Hee Kelly Shon (creator and director) discuss the making of their film.

4:50-6:25 The Chosen One—An eccentric church informs a regular guy named Lou that he's The Chosen One—a savior from prophecy who must deliver the world into a new age. Together with his cranky old roommate Zeb (Chris Sarandon), his best friend Donna (Danielle Fishel) and Lucifer himself (Tim Curry), Lou must overcome ninjas, thugs, femme fatales (Traci Lords), religious zealots (Lance Henriksen), his obsession with his ex-girlfriend (Laura Prepon), giant monsters, and kung-fu robots to save the world! Participating panelists include Chris Lackey (director), Andreas Olavarria (producer), and Chad Fifer (voice of Lou and co-writer).

Horror/Suspense

6:30-6:55 Serial Dating—A pathological serial dater with a dark habit finds his next date to be more than his match. Rob Kraetsch (My Magical World), Craig Frank (Weeds), Chad Zachery (Brothers and Sisters), Bernie Su (creator of web series Wingmen), and Shawna Benson (writer/producer) are on hand to talk about the film.

6:55-7:20 Henchmen—Meet Ben and Gus, two security guards on graveyard shift whose exceedingly boring job is about to take an unexpected turn. Participating panelists are Danilo Buendia (visual effects supervisor), Steven von Kampen (composer), and Christian Cantamessa (writer-director).

7:20-7:50 The Insane—John Vincent is a cop on a quest for vengeance. After finding his wife and unborn child murdered. he goes under the cover of darkness to the city streets to dispense justice on the psychotic freaks he believes are responsible. David J Ellison, co-director/co-writer/co-producer, will talk about the making of the film.

7:50-8:20 Burying the Ex—Zak is a smart, funny and all-around nice guy who is still coming to terms with his ex-girlfriend’s recent passing. Determined to get on with his life, Zak agrees to go on a blind date with the cute and quirky Olivia. Their date comes to an abrupt and terrifying end when Zak’s dead ex shows up with an ultimatum. Alan Trezza (writer/director), Brad Sykes (producer), and Ed Gutentag (director of photography) talk about the film.

8:20-8:50 Aunt Tigress—Based on a Chinese horror fable, Aunt Tigress tells the tale of two children who, when left home alone, make the deadly mistake of opening the door to a stranger with quite an appetite. Panelists include Wei Ling Chang (writer/director) and Benoit de Boursetty (music composer).

8:50-9:25 Christmas Spirit—Leslie, a 13-year-old girl whose father is a ghost hunter, wants to have a ghost hunt of her own on her birthday, which falls on Christmas Eve. Along with her younger brother, they search for the greatest of spirits. Participating panelists include S. K. Martinez (Christmas Spirit), Rachel Fiore (executive producer), and Samuel C. Martinez (Red Dragon).

9:25-10:00 Rhyme Animal—The hip-hop/psychological horror tale of a Brooklyn DJ who rides the coattails of an up-and-coming rapper. One problem: the rapper might also be a cannibalistic serial killer. Panelists Jorge Rivera (creator/writer/producer) and Billy Fox (writer/producer) will be on hand after the screening to answer questions regarding the film's inception, production and the graphic novel that is soon to follow.

10:00-10:45 Vanished Acres—In this surreal tale, an old farmer discovers his deceased wife had an affair with his scarecrow, uncovering a haunted past. Participating panelists include Adam Bolt (director), Timothy Henning (actor), and David Joseph Wesley (composer).