The IFF schedule is up

13 JUNE 2017

The International Independent Film Festival schedule is up. If you're headed to Comic-Con namely to see blockbuster trailers and get an autograph from your favorite actor, this may sound like a yawn to you. But here's why you should pay at least a little attention to the film offerings at San Diego Comic-Con.

The IFF

The CCI-IFF is held at the Marriott Marquis, next door to the Hall A side in the Marriott Grand Ballroom 3 & 4. It runs every day of the Con and offers the chance to see indie films from around the world in the following categories:

• Action/Adventure
• Animation
• Comics-Oriented
• Documentary
• Horror/Suspense
• Humor
• Science Fiction/Fantasy

There are awards for each category in a Sunday ceremony, after which the winning entries are re-screened.

If you're curious how "indie" is defined, that's changed somewhat over the years. You're not going to see the same lineup you'd see at your local arthouse theatre. But you will see a mix of truly indie films scraped together from someone's Kickstarter and slightly bigger-budget - but not quite mainstream - movies.

This year is strong in the horror/sci-fi/fantasy categories. But some of the most anticipated fall into the documentary category: namely Neil Gaiman's Dreaming Dangerously, Ukiyo-e Heroes and Welcome Home, Dick Van Dyke. All 3 air on Saturday so if you want to dodge the odiferous weekend crowds of the Exhibit Hall, head for the IFF.

Comic-Con Film School

Screenings aren't the only thing the IFF offers. They also offer educational workshops on topics like screenwriting, pre-production or managing a film crew; there are also panels about making movies on your phone, financing indies and other topics for creatives on the rise.

In other words, you can benefit from the IFF whether you're a budding filmmaker or just looking for some passive entertainment in a dark room.

The regular movie tracks and marathons

The IFF isn't your only cinematic option. SDCC will offer a steady stream of genre movies, from cult classics to obscure horror films to children's films to nerd favorite TV episodes. Whether you're looking for anime or the Star Trek episode where Captain Kirk fights a giant rubber lizard, you'll find your favorite flavor of escapism.

You might be wondering why you'd ever waste your valuable Comic-Con hours watching a flick you can see in your living room. I can only tell you that SDCC movie tracks can be a welcome reprieve from the lights and thunder of the Con. They can also be an undemanding way to spend an evening when you don't want to stay in your hotel room but aren't up to some Gaslamp rager.

Just something to consider; you cineaste attendees already know where you're headed. But if your typical movie diet tends more toward summer blockbusters, don't write off the IFF too quickly. It might become one of your favorite parts of San Diego Comic-Con.

The IFF schedule is up

6 JUNE 2016

The International Independent Film Festival is back to entertain you with films you probably won't see anywhere else. You'll get more than 50 films, from the usual SDCC genres - those being Horror/Suspense, Animation, Comics-Oriented, Sci-Fi/Fantasy, Comedy, Documentary and Action/Adventure. And yes, the popular IFF film school will also return each morning.

If you're a first-timer OR you've simply ignored the IFF in your Comic-Con journey, don't write this off. You can see some very creative work here, and it's a nice break from the noise and chaos of the rest of the Con. Competition is pretty intense for this, so it's not like you're attending the local library's student movie night.

Now if you have gone before - be aware the location has shifted. It's still at the Marriott next door but will be in the new section, specifically in the Pacific 23 room. Movies in room 23: is this a LOST joke? I can't tell.

I also can't tell you much about this year's crop of films. But I do know which one has my favorite title: Genghis Khan Conquers the Moon. You can see the full schedule here.

SDCC IFF will accept your entries 1 November

30 OCTOBER 2015




Hello, you Devil's Night reveler. You're probably looking forward to a Halloween weekend of sugar, drunken costume parties and horror movies, but if you're a filmmaker you might add something else to the list: prepping your very best cinematic work ever for the San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival 2016.

Submissions open Sunday, 1 November. Yes, this Sunday. But you have until 1 February to get your entry in, so don't stress.

As with every year, the categories are:

• Action/Adventure
• Animation
• Comics-Oriented
• Documentary (Pop Culture-related)
• Horror/Suspense
• Humor
• Sci Fi/Fantasy

Every year people ask me for some kind of scientific estimate on the odds of getting their films in here and honestly - I have no idea. I will truthfully (and uncharitably) say that I've seen some IFF films that could best be described as painfully amateur, so don't let your self-doubt assassinate your creativity. Put your Jim Jarmusch hat on and give it your best shot. Formally submitting your work always feels good, even if you don't get picked. And if nothing else, you can still attend the screenings and workshops and get an education for next year.

You can check out the rules and guidelines here.

Book a Fan Meeting Room now

17 JUNE 2015




How exciting - Comic-Con has grown. Not in numbers (god forbid) but in the venues and opportunities open to fans. And one of the changes helps attendees create the Con they want to be at - the introduction of Fan Meeting Rooms.

These are over at the Hyatt and you can schedule a session in one of them by emailing programs@comic-con.org. Include your first, second and third options for time and date and they'll send you an email confirmation if you get in. These could obviously be great for setting up a fan meetup or some other kind of mingle, especially if you don't see your particularly fandom represented yet in or out of the convention center. So don't wait - these will probably book up fast.

A few other changes:

• Marriott Marquis did away with some of our old stomping grounds, so a lot of external resources are at the Hyatt now. That includes the Hospitality Suite, the International Film Festival, most gaming tournaments, one of the main film tracks, and....

• The Fulfillment Room, now called Programming Premiums. First-timers, this is where you'll go to pick up the free t-shirts and other swag certain panels will bestow on you. These range from cheap trinkets to really generous merchandise packs.

• The San Diego Central Library will have 2 programming tracks - one devoted to education and literacy and one devoted to podcasts and web series.

It can't be denied that SDCC is starting to look like the alternative suggested when the expansion financing got shot down - an event that sprawls over multiple city blocks and venues. It might not be as convenient as having all programming on site, but it shouldn't be too much of a hardship either. Just be ready - as always - to do a lot of walking.

Marketing yourself as a creative at SDCC

26 MAY 2015




In recent years, Cons have become a magnet for creatives of all stripes. Video game designers, colorists, YA novelists, scriptwriters, costumers - if you can think of any creative field that is tangentially related to pop culture, you'll find a panel addressing it at a comic convention. This is because:

1) Creating art forms and appreciating art forms tend to go together, so plenty of fans are also creators.
2) The proximity of influencers - both celebrities and the more background (but often even more powerful) players like producers, chief creative officers and editors - sets up the possibility of being "discovered."
3) There are already a ton of creatives present at all stages of their career, often in collaborative positions, so the networking is dope.


That said, it's not as easy as most people think. Beyond the established portals like Comic Creator Connection and Portfolio Review or the IFF film school, most attendees have to navigate a sea of indifference and isolation. I know a respected indie comic creator who was investing considerable sums in exhibiting at SDCC solely so she could make valuable connections. Year after year, it never happened. I know many writers who faithfully attend all those "Get an agent! Write a best-seller!" panels just so they can approach an agent afterward and dazzle them with their pitch. Generally speaking, they just meet other unpublished writers, or writers/agents who are wildly exaggerating their industry clout. The idea of meeting that one person who can make it all happen for you rarely materializes.

Rule of thumb: most industry people are at Comic-Con to either promote themselves or because they're forced to be there, just like your job might force you to attend a business conference. They didn't travel to San Diego just to audition random hopefuls - they could have done that at home. So try to view the Con as a very creative community with fertile touchpoints, rather than a career fair. Because attendees who come in guns blazing (and they are legion) do more harm to themselves than good.

This isn't to say SDCC doesn't hold valuable opportunities - but it's partly about random opportunities and partly about playing a very deft game. I wrote a 3-part novella on this last year which I would advise any creative to read; it covers the type of materials to prepare and events to expect, and soft skills. The last post may seem harsh but it's based on my observations both as a creative trying to make a deal and the person who hires the talent. And I saw every single issue in that post at Comic-Con last summer.

Ultimately I see SDCC networking work best for people who are already established in their careers. I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear. But every year my friends who are already successful in the comics industry come away from the Con with a new cover offer in their pocket or a new collaboration, while struggling newcomers generally go home without any new useful connections. (Worthless connections are always to be had, however.) Where I do see newcomers make strides: smaller Cons like ECCC, Phoenix, DragonCon, Denver and Boston. While there are fewer power players in attendance, it's much easier to connect with the ones who are there.

But of course if you're reading this, you're headed to SDCC. So my advice is get prepared, be reasonable in your expectations, and be strategic. Associate with people in your field, rather than trying to zero in on one particular superstar. That's really how most doors open. Most of all, remember to have fun - after all the energy and time you've spent getting to SDCC, it would be a shame to spend your entire time there exhausting yourself in pursuit of some mythical breakthrough. Take advantage of the right panels and events, then switch back to fan mode and enjoy yourself. Because that's really what Comic-Con has to offer.

SDCC Int'l Film Fest entries open in October

24 SEPTEMBER 2014





It's time for all you aspiring filmmakers to start thinking about next summer: the San Diego Comic-Con International Independent Film Festival will begin accepting entries for 2015 as of 1 October. Same categories as always - animation, comic book-oriented, pop culture documentaries, horror/suspense, sci-fi/fantasy, action/adventure and humor.

If you're not familiar with the IFF, it offers several elements rolled into one cinephile dream. There is the chance to have your film screened and possibly win a prize; there's also the opportunity to network with industry professionals; and finally, there's a daily film school for emerging artists. And of course attendees get to watch indie films they might not see at other festivals. If you're serious about your career in film, you're probably all over this already - but just networking at the IFF can be an entry point for beginners who aren't sure how to get started.

The deadline is 2 February. Take a look at the rules here.

IFF and film school schedules are out

12 JUNE 2014



Let's talk movies - specifically, what San Diego Comic-Con has to offer beyond Hall H. Year after year, I find that this is one of the least visible parts of the Con.

Mainstream film festivals. While that schedule hasn't been announced yet, there's generally a nonstop parade of genre films (sci-fi, horror, fantasy, big-budget, indie) that cater to every taste. There will also be a Star Trek festival (as in, one episode after another) and probably the Rocky Horror Picture Show, Spike and Mike screenings, and so on. You may think you don't want to waste your limited Con time on something Netflix can deliver, but slipping into a dark room for a few hours can make for a nice break from the Exhibit Hall tumult.


Independent Film Festival. "The very best in genre films from around the world." This runs all four days and there's an awards ceremony on Sunday. By genre, they mean anime, documentary, science fiction, action/adventure, horror, humor and comics-oriented, and the filmmakers come from all over the world.

I think we can all agree that "indie" is one of the most abused words of the decade, so understand these aren't Wes Anderson-type films you see at the local arthouse theatre; these are truly independent films of varying length created by filmmakers on very limited budgets. Not all of them will be to your taste, but you will see some truly creative work here. There's usually a networking event as well. You can see the full IFF schedule here.


Comic-Con Film School. As I've noted before, CCI keeps offering better and better content for emerging artists, and this is a great example. So if you want to be the next Noah Baumbach, consider attending the 4-part series on instructional filmmaking, along with some other panels.

Thursday:
10:00-11: Comic-Con Film School 101
4:00-5:00: Hollywood Location Scouts

Friday:
10:00-11:00: Comic-Con Film School 102
1:30-2:30: The Chair: One Script, Two Visions, One Winner

Saturday:
10:00-11:00: Comic-Con Film School 103
2:00-3:00: The Casting Directors of FOX Television

Sunday:
10:00-11:00: Comic-Con Film School 104
11:00-11:55: CCI-IFF Awards Presentation
12:00-5:00: CCI-IFF Award Winners Showcase

Reminder: submit your film by 3 Feb

20 JANUARY 2014



Don't forget - 3 February is the deadline to submit your film for this summer's International Independent Film Festival.

You can find the entry form here.

Submit your film for the 2014 IFF

4 NOVEMBER 2013



Let's just get this out of the way: yes, it's the first week of November and we still haven't gotten the all-important email announcing pre-registration. We know that it's happening in November or December and most of us don't need our badges. The only people who do need their physical badges from this summer are former 12-year-olds who are now 13; see here for more detail. In the meantime, keep an eye out for the pre-reg announcement over the next few weeks.

Onto the Comic-Con Independent Film Festival. They are now accepting entries.

The deadline: 3 February 2014. I know that sounds far off but it's less than three months away.

Acceptable genres: Action/adventure, animation, comics-oriented, documentary, horror/suspense, humor and sci fi/fantasy.

Who can submit: Anyone, including you, if you've got the cinematic chops.

IFF schedule announced

30 JUNE 2013


The schedule for the Comic Con Independent Film Festival has been published. Over 50 indie films in multiple genres will be screened, including a daily Comic Con Film School panel that kicks off the festival each day at 10:00.

As per usual, it will be held in the Marriott Marquis, in Marriott Hall 2 behind the main building. The awards program will be held on Sunday at 11:00 am, with the winners re-screened that afternoon.

Reminder: SDCC Film Festival deadline is 4 February

28 JANUARY 2013



As noted earlier, the deadline for submitting your film to the San Diego Comic Con International Film Festival is 4 February. Your film must have been completed 2010-2012 and qualify as one of the following: Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics-Oriented, Documentary (related to pop culture), Horror/Suspense, Humor or Sci Fi/Fantasy.

If your film is accepted, you get a free four-day badge plus a guest badge. Good luck.

SDCC Int'l Independent Film Festival accepting submissions

2 NOVEMBER 2012


All you aspiring Tarantinos and Jarmusches take note: the Comic Con International Independent Film Festival is now accepting submissions.

Deadline: 4 February 2013
Length: Films cannot exceed 95 minutes in length.
Completion timeframe: Must have been completed 2010-2012.

Relevant categories:

• Action/Adventure
• Animation
• Comics-Oriented
• Documentary (related to pop culture)
• Horror/Suspense
• Humor
• Sci Fi/Fantasy

The IFF runs all four days of Comic Con. If your film is accepted for screening at the festival, you get a free four-day badge plus a guest badge, along with some valuable networking and publicity.

It is free to enter. See here for all of the rules and regulations.

Two events: IFF schedule and Comic Creator Connection

13 JUNE 2012



The Independent Film Festival schedule is up. You can see it here.  Just like before, the films will be screened at the Marriott Marquis and Marina, right next door to the convention center.

The festival doesn't only show films; there's also a daily panel on film-making, and there's an open meet-and-greet on Thursday night and an awards ceremony on Sunday morning. The festival showcases a mix of genres, including horror, humor, animation, documentary, action/adventure and sci fi. If you've never checked it out before, consider catching a screening this summer - it is a nice reprieve from the noise and light of the Exhibit Hall, and you might see something you like.

In other event news, the Comic Creator Connection is back this year. It takes place on Thursday and Friday nights and offers writers and artists interested in finding collaborative partners the chance to meet. You must have a four-day badge or badge for that day, and you must register in advance at programs@comic-con.org with "Comic Creator Connection" in the subject line.

Press badges, Exhibitor applications, IFF and Spirit of Comics Retailer awards

6 JANUARY 2012




Registration isn't quite here yet, but a few other application-type things may need your attention.


1. Nominate your favorite comic book store for the 2012 Will Eisner Spirit of Comics Retailer award. The winner will be announced at the Eisners on Friday, July 13. Note: previous winners can't be nominated, if that saves you any time.

2. The deadline for the CCI International Independent Film Festival (IFF) is 1 February, which is fast approaching. Enter here. I don't know if this has gotten larger in recent years, or if I'm simply traveling in different circles, but last summer every third person I met seemed to have a film in the IFF.

3. I'm guessing that by now, most exhibitors have already applied - but if you haven't, do that now. If you're interested but feel you're too low-profile to merit a booth, investigate anyhow. CCI is pretty good about making different space options available for exhibitors at all levels of operation.

4. If you're interested in attending Comic Con as press, you'd best be lining up your assignment now. I'm referring mainly to my freelance brethren here, not affiliated journalists. The technical deadline for applications is May 29 but you should ignore that and try to get your press credentials locked down now. Because this is a common scenario: you pitch the idea to "cover" Comic Con in a whimsical, offbeat story, the editor says great idea! and then somehow it all falls apart one week after it becomes too late for you to go as a regular attendee.