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Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2009 Schedule

Thu, July 23 | Fri, July 24 | Sat, July 25 | Sun, July 26

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 Session II: 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 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), Michael Scott (director of Ryan vs. Dorkman), and Sean Rourke (writer/director of 1st Person Shooter.)

Animation Category

11:30–11:55 Mr. Wire's Nostalgia—A young man's talent, miles of twisted wire and a spotlight mix together to produce a show as never seen before, in a journey that will make him decide between what he loves and what he desires most. Participating panelists include director Jonathan Ostos Yaber.

11:55–12:15 Botnik!—In Calabash Animation's most recent short, a lonely beatnik longs to make it big in the local art scene and win the heart of a cool beat chick. When his ambitions are thwarted by artistic frustration and deadline pressure, he builds a robotic doppleganger to do his bidding. Unfortunately, a robot with an artistic temperament is generally not a good idea...Participating panelists include writer/director Jacqueline Smessaert Brennan, animator/colorist Ben Chow, (Calabash Animation), Bob Renzas (Animal Quackers), and Catherine and Sarah Satrun, The Sketchy Duo.

12:15–12:45 The Bone Orchard—From award-winning filmmakers Steven & Whitney Boe comes this stop-motion adaptation of an ancient tale where a king accepts the invitation of a stranger, finds himself in a spectral burial ground full of macabre magic, and learns the secret of the universe through a series of mythic challenges. Featuring the voices of Tim Curry, Mark Hamill, and Lance Henriksen. With Original puppets designed and created by Brian & Wendy Froud.

12:45-1:10 Capes—A young man plummets from the height of future civilization to the depths of primal Hell. In his quest for salvation, he ultimately finds peace and camaraderie in death. Participating panelists include director/producer Bryan Cohen.

1:10–1:35 Articles of War—A young American pilot fighting in 1944 writes what may be the final letter of his life, baring his soul to the man who inspired him to enlist—his father, a stoic veteran of World War I. Participating panelists include writer-director Daniel M. Kanemoto (A Letter from the Western Front), composer Ryan Shore (Prime), editor Jeff Yorkes, and actor Clay Adams (TMNT: Fast Forward).

1:35–2:00 Fear—A boy walks by the city. Suddenly, he feels the presence of a dark character who begins to persecute him. While he escapes, his perception of the context distorts and the thin line between reality and fantasy begins to become blurred...

2:00–2:15 Snuggle Time—It's bedtime and everyone needs their favorite toy to snuggle with in order to sleep. Snuggle Time is the story of a little girl, a vampire, and the stuffed toy lamb caught between them. Participating panelists include Angela O'Sullivan director and animator.

2:15–2:30 She Farted and Created the World— Scott Coello's animation is about a dog who farts and creates a world, which follows a sort-of evolution cycle within it. The whole thing is made entirely from recycled papers. Bank statements, bills, scraps found on the street, pointless spam mail—whatever the filmmaker could get his mitts on!

2:30–2:55 Max the Hero—Animated comedy about a superhero who is kind of a jerk. His best friend/roommate becomes jealous and decides to be Max's archenemy. Produced and directed by Mike Salva, written and performed by Bill Corbett, Kevin Murphy and Michael J. Nelson (Mystery Science Theater 3000, Rifftrax).

2:55–3:10 Chroma Chameleon—Chameleons don't just dance, they "chrome"—an explosive combination of crazy moves with wild bursts of changing color. A timid chameleon, named Hue, has dreamed of dancing with the other chameleons since he was knee-high to a newt, but he can't change colors. When Hue attends a dance party, he finds himself unexpectedly thrown on stage, his shortcomings exposed to all. Panelist Marc F. Adler, writer/producer/director for Chroma Chameleon, will discuss the making of this animated short film.

3:10–3:30 Her Lion's Jump—Sandy is an 11-year-old girl whose mother scolds her for not doing well at school and for daydreaming about nature and animals. This hurts Sandy so much that she throws her drawings away and looses confidence in herself completely. However, an unexpected visitor named Fred comes to her window at night asking for her help to take him home. As reality and fantasy blend together upon their meeting, Fred helps Sandy believe in herself again and takes her on a journey, beyond, to the stars...on Her Lion's Jump! Participating panelists include director Régis Camargo.

3:30–3:50 FOT—The Next Big Thing—Following the "big game," FOT reinforces his awesomeness to all concerned. Starring Rhys Darby (Murray off Flight of the Conchords and Norman from Yes Man). Featured panelist is Alex Dron, creator and director of FOT.

3:50–4:10 Kanizsa Hill—Another person is shot. He can only survive as a head and a body who exist independently from one another. A series of illusions causes each to travel divergent paths in search for reunification. Participating panelists include sound designer Kari Rae Seekins, animator Musa Brooker (Robot Chicken Star Wars Episode 2), and director/writer/animator Evelyn Lee.

4:10–4:25 Caney Mountain—A dark tale based upon a mysterious legend of the Ozarkian mountains, Caney Mountain is a disastrous tale of greed and vanity as told through the eyes of a magical suitcase. The short film is set to the music of the Ha Ha Tonka song of the same name. It reenacts the destruction of an innocent and ignorant farming community via colorful and flat, almost storybook like animation. Participating panelist will be co- director/designer/animator Brian Simpson.

4:25–4:40 Ceci n'est pas une mouche (This is not a fly)—A story about a man in an art gallery, a painted fly that seems to be playing mind games on him, and an angry security camera that will not let him get too close to find out what is going on. Appearing: director Carlos Fraiha.

4:40-4:45 Pit Stop—Aliens are not as mysterious as they might seem. They're not here to abduct, terrorize, or even make contact. Earth is just another pit stop! Panelists include Jake Shimabuku (co- director), Brandon Goo (artist), Mark Susuico (animator), and Heather Fukuhara and Billy Burson (contributors).

4:55–5:10 The Hidden Life of the Burrowing Owl—Meet the Burrowing Owl. He has recently lost his mate to a large predator that is hunting in his neck of the woods. How will he survive in this dangerous wilderness alone? This is a story of love and survival. Participating panelist Mike Roush, animation director of Metalocalypse, talks about his film.

5:10–5:20 Horn Dog—This the fourth film in Bill Plympton's famed Oscar-nominated "dog" series. In this misadventure, our plucky canine fends off an obese dog, attacking oysters, and a wayward killer violin bow while trying to win the love of his heart's desire. Appearing to discuss the film will be animator Bill Plympton, creator of Mutant Aliens, Idiots and Angels, and the new DVD collection Bill Plympton's Dog Days.

5:20–5:35 Fallen Shadows—Fallen Shadows depicts the story of a woman and her shadow on a subconscious, dreamlike journey of self-discovery. Through animation, Miuccia Prada and director James Lima experiment with cutting-edge technology that draws inspiration from Buñuel, Dali, Duchamp, and Escher, evoking Film Noir, surrealism and futurism in striking, cinematic form. Discussing the film will be Celine Khavarani, VP of VIP relations for Prada USA.

5:35–6:05 Subcutaneous—Sub-Commander Cutaneous and the crew of the space vessel Dwarf Star are sent by the rulers of their galaxy to arbitrate a conflict between two rival worlds. The mission takes an unexpected turn. Will Cutaneous's habit of shirking responsibility endanger the mission or will the crew overcome another mismanaged assignment? Participating panelists include Mike Rishkofski (co-creator/animator), Keith Rishkofski (co-creator/composer), Frytz Mor (voice of Commander Cutaneous) and Leslie Rishkofski (voice of Yessey).

6:05–7:00 Little Spirit: Christmas in New York—When a friendly cabbie (Danny DeVito) tells two young sisters the story of a boy named Leo who moved to Manhattan with his family, a magical adventure begins. While adjusting to the big city and enjoying the days leading up to Christmas, Leo accidentally loses his dog Ramona in Central Park. Leo is devastated by his loss until a magical creature named Little Spirit appears and takes him on a quest to find Ramona. Leo and Little Spirit venture out on the journey of a lifetime, taking in the festive surroundings of the city and meeting people from all walks of life. By the time Leo is reunited with Ramona, he has an eclectic group of friends that make the strange city seem like home.

Documentary Category (Pop Culure-Oriented)

7:00–8:40 Zombie Girl: The Movie—A documentary covering the two years that it took 12-year-old Emily Hagins to write and direct her feature-length zombie movie, Pathogen. Participating panelists include co-director Aaron Marshall, title designer Deborah Allison, and documentary subjects Emily Hagins and Megan Hagins.

8:40–10:00 Monsterland—Monsterland is a visual journey through time and around the world, exploring diverse monster types. Jörg Buttgereit, himself a monster fan, assembles before the camera the great masters and connoisseurs of the genre, including John Carpenter, Joe Coleman, and Joe Dante. They discuss their lives and work with and for their monstrous creatures and relate the dark passion that they share. Jörg Buttgereit, director of Monsterland, will be available for Q&A after the screening.