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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 III: Working with Actors and a Crew—Day 3 deals with how to direct actors, organize a crew, and keep them all happy without anybody making any money. 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), Michael Scott (director of Ryan vs. Dorkma), Sean Rourke (writer/director of 1st Person Shooter), and actors Susan Smythe, Brian Stevenson, Kat Steel, Jack Conway, and Brad Upton.

Comics-Oriented Category

11:30–12:00 The Book of Tomorrow—Young Billy Allen is pulled into an incredible adventure when he discovers a forgotten chest containing a comic book with unimaginable powers that he must learn to master to avert disaster coming to Robertstown. Participating panelists include writer/director David Yohe, Mike Noble (visual effects), editor Johnnie Martinez, producer Vong Chea, and executive producer Thom Spitler.

12:00–12:25  The Magritte Moment—Trevor, a frustrated painter, suffers from artists' block. He searches for his muse and in the process gets help from the surreal visions of the painter Rene Magritte, a wallet, and a tall man wearing a bowler cap. Through his creative journey Trevor finds his happiness and his soulmate.

12:25–12:45 The Junior League of Superheroes—On the morning of their initial Junior League of Superheroes trial mission, our six not-quite heroes should be preparing for their first undertaking as a team. Instead, Jen is having second thoughts, Ned can't decide what to wear, Rob believes he's Ben Affleck, and Mark is nowhere to be found. Participating panelists include Brian Leahy (Earthship), Justin Fair (Book of Shadows: Blair Witch 2), Teresa Reilly (The Best Laid Plans), Julie Gearheard (Redbelt), and Justin Davidson.

12:45–1:05 The Swing—Jeffrey Carter, an average everyday plumber/ex-superhero sidekick, covers for a multitude of lackluster "heroes" when they are sick. But what happens when they all get knocked out in the same week? And how will he muster up the courage to cover for the world's greatest hero, Commander Universe? Participating panelists include director Justin Cowden (Kingdom Hearts II), director of photography Max Well, producer/actress Erin Cowden (Butcherhouse), editor/AD Derwin Dalida (The Evil Cup of Non-biodegradability), actor Michael Eniright (Alias), and newcomer Rev. Michael Cowden, the film's lead.

Humor Category

1:05–1:30 Death in Charge—Don't tell Mom the babysitter is Death! The Grim Reaper is mistaken for a babysitter and learns a thing or two about life when left to spend the evening with a precocious 9-year-old girl. Participating panelists include Devi Snively (Confederate Zombie Massacre!), Gillian Shure (Disturbia), Ian Strandberg (Raven Gets a Life), Lauren Schweitzer (Lost and Found), and Agustin Fuentes, producer of trippin'.

1:30–1:45 Gorlac and Friends: A 5-Second Film Parade—A blisteringly fast collection of five-second films tells the assorted stories of mustachioed duelists, furry replicants, talking candy, Wilford Brimley and of course Gorlac, the ultimate destructive alien force and a fiend for bath towels. Participating panelists include Brian Firenzi, Daniel Hollister, Michael Rousselet, Ben Gigli and Erik Sandoval, creators/members of Internet comedy troupe #5,823,621.

1:45–2:05 My Four Inch Precious—Sam is alone in the world, shunned by society and mocked by people due to his scruffiness. He finds solace in the beauty of nature and at work, collecting garbage. Among society's discarded refuse, he stumbles upon a dying flower. Sam nurtures the flower as if it were a wounded soul like his own. The flower blooms anew. Out of the petals rises a beautiful, enchanting woman whom he names Precious. For the first time in his life, Sam discovers romance. There's just one catch: Precious is only four inches tall. Sometimes, the biggest surprise comes in the smallest size.

2:05–2:25 Spider-Cide—Lost love is a hard enough concept in human form. When love takes another dimension, the ramifications can be mortally tragic and quite comical. In this film by Joel Sandvos, a lowly stuffed toy experiences the slings and arrows of lost love and decides to end it all.

2:25-2:45 300 Pounds—An epic parody of the movie 300. Fat King Leonidas and his fat Spartan Warriors defend the great pancake wall known as the "Hot Cakes" from the invading Xerxes, his Ninja Immortals, and Kratos, the God of War. Panelists include Jeff Centauri (director, Hollywood Ninja Director), Lou Klein (Deadliest Warrior Master Ninja), Jed Rowen (Ninja Apprentice), Chris Holmes (the 3D Ninja), and Nadine Loren (Sexy Ninja Assassin).  

2:45–3:05 Dada—Dada is an absurdist film about two brothers obsessed with the art movement known as Dada. They attempt to bid on a work of art (a shovel) from a famous Dada artist and are foiled by their arch nemesis. They concoct a scheme to steal the shovel back and hilarity ensues.

3:05–3:20 Coming Out—A serious yet absurdist sci-fi comedy about two brothers coming to terms after the death of their father. Secrets are unveiled and lives are changed forever. Participating panelists include lead actor Steven Francisco, writer/director Nolan Wang (I Saved The World from Global Warming!), cinematographer Max Well, Sean Oakley (sound/The Guild), and assistant director Andres Fischer-Centeno.

3:20–3:40 Super-Anon—Behind every superhero, there's a neglected sibling. For them, there's Super-Anon, their very own support group. Director Stephen H. Plitt (Testimony: The Fanny Crosby Story) and actor/producer Debra Sears talk about the film.

3:40–4:05 Animated American—The future is about to collide with the past. Eric, a digital-loving executive on a mansion hunting expedition, finds himself crossing swords with his realtor, Max, an out-of-work toon rabbit. Like it or not, Max will make Eric see things through the eyes of an "Animated American." Participating panelists include directors James Baker and Joe Haidar, producer Susan Cohen, and lead actress Bree Turner.

4:05–5:45 Mutant Swinger from Mars—In a "long lost" film from the '50s, aliens from Mars come to Earth and force a mad scientist to "create" a "chick magnet" to lure women so they can take them to Mars because...Mars needs women, of course! This film pays homage to all things sci-fi, horror, and, of course, comedy. Features the acting debut of Jack White of The White Stripes. Appearing: writer/director Michael Kallio.

Documentary Category (Comics-Oriented)

5:45–6:30 Drawing Between the Lines—A short documentary examining the autobiographical world of Chicago cartoonist Jeffrey Brown. His graphic novels provide a humorous, yet intensely personal look at love, sex, and relationships. The film explores Brown's candid approach to storytelling and unconventional method of cartooning and provides insight from friends, fans, and fellow cartoonists. Participating panelists include Jeffrey Brown (Clumsy), Bruce Parsons (I Know You), Mikie Lee Burke, Jared Salyers, and Brian Foudray.

6:30–7:15 Dig Comics—Is the American artform of comic books dying? Host Miguel Cima is on a quest. Including interviews with Eisner Award–winning writer Jeph Loeb (Lost, Heroes) and indie comics visionary Dame Darcy (Meatcake), and featuring animation by Scott Shaw! (The Flintstones) and Emmy-winning animator Russell Calabrese (Pinky and the Brain), this documentary short challenges America to Dig Comics. Cima conducts unique man-on-the-street experiments to find out what happened with America 's affection for comics. A love letter to the American art form of comics and a call to arms to increase the dwindling audience, Dig Comics is on a new comics crusade. Participating panelists include filmmaker Miguel Cima, animator Scott Shaw!, and associate producer Corey Blake.

7:15–7:35 The Aquabats—A rare on-camera interview with the Bat Commander reveals a brief look into the world of the masked, underdog champions of nerd core known as the Aquabats! Director Nathan Fackrell, executive producer Matt Mangus, and associate producer Dave Lefler discuss the film.

7:35–8:50 Last Son—Your alien father abandoned you. You grow up feeling different. You become a reporter to impress a girl. You want to save the world. Sound familiar? But this story isn't fiction. Last Son is the shocking new documentary about Jerry Siegel and Joe Shuster and how (and why) they really created Superman. Q&A with writer/director Brad Ricca.

8:50–10:15 The Diabolikal Super-Kriminal—A documentary trip to an alternate reality where comics feature supervillains instead of superheroes and their tales are told with photos instead of illustrations: 1960s Europe! This film is an entertaining history of these comics along with amusing interviews with the actors who starred in them. Panelists include producer Mort Todd (former Cracked and Marvel Comics editor and comics writer of Sadistik, The Diabolikal Super-Kriminal).