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.

Lose your animation mind at SDCC with Cartoon Network & Adult Swim

24 JUNE 2015

In a year that's been somewhat light on over-the-top studio events, this is gratifying: Adult Swim and Cartoon Network are bringing a bonanza of panels and parties and activities to Comic-Con.


Let's start with Cartoon Network. They are all about promoting their new series We Bare Bears - which means you can come by their booth #3735 and "get a first look at Grizzly, Panda, and Ice Bear;" you can also take advantage of six different photo ops.

 

On Thursday, we have the Adventure Time Royal Ball at 8 pm in 7AB. This is a repeat of last year's party, with another new Adventure Time episode, and a world premiere screening of We Bare Bears.

On Friday, we have 2 panels: Regular Show and Uncle Grandpa at 10 am in the Indigo Ballroom, followed by Adventure Time and Steven Universe at 11 am in the same.                  

Then that night there's a Clarence & Friends Pajama Party at 8 pm in 7 AB, with a a new episode of We Bare Bears.

Onto Adult Swim, who always brings a smorgasbord of activities, from funhouses to pajama parties to free massages. Such as: the Feline Fun Hole Slide Mouth at their booth #3721. Land a fun sack in her mouth and "she may cough up something beautiful and exciting."

Now onto their outside events, which are always imaginative. Adult Swim on the Green will be behind the convention center each day from 9:30 am to 10 pm (closing at 5 on Sunday.) This is "a brand new experience for fans" and will involve:

A photo op in the form of Rick and Morty's crashed spaceship.

The Meatwad Full Dome Experience. "Intergalactic mind travel" inside a 40-foot planetarium dome, with a 360-degree journey through space and time. FishCenter and Toonami Pre-Flight will broadcast live from inside the Dome - tickets are required and will be given away daily at 9:30 am on site. FYI - this is also an app now.

The Carnival Midway. Play custom and classic carnival games for prizes and get a free t-shirt.

Free nightly screenings. Thursday night will be never-before-seen pilots and sneak peeks and a few specials; Friday is a preview of Rick and Morty season 2 and a live episode with the show creators; Saturday will have unaired episodes of Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever and Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell. Bring a blanket! 8:30-10 pm.

Caveat: you must RSVP for these and be 18+. Badge-holders only.

Onto panels.

On Friday, Adult Swim colonizes the Indigo Ballroom with Aqua Teen Hunger Force Forever and Your Pretty Face is Going to Hell at 12:15, followed by Rick and Morty at 1:15, then Mike Tyson Mysteries at 2:15 and Robot Chicken at 3:15.

On Sunday, we have Childrens Hospital at 1 pm in 25ABC.


First-timers, if you haven't guessed from this announcement and earlier Bob's Burgers and Archer panel announcements, Friday in the Indigo Ballroom at the Hilton Bayfront is all about animation. If you're a big animation fan, you may want to keep Friday open and make an entire day of it.


                                                             
 

Nickelodean wants your pitches at Comic-Con

24 JUNE 2014

Here's something you don't hear too often - a major media company inviting your pitches straight from the convention floor. Nickelodean is holding an open call for original animated projects Thursday-Saturday of the Con, right there at their booth. Why? So they can greenlight a project for the global Animated Shorts Program.

Now - that's exactly what the press release says - they're going to greenlight A project. As in one. It also says the chosen pitch will be developed into a short with the "potential" to air on Nick on TV or online or even be turned into a full-fledged series. Potential is a word fraught with loopholes but I'm sure that's just a CYA term on their part. And who knows, even if your pitch isn't the lucky winner, you're still getting in front of an influential development team.

How it works:

The traditionally loud and hectic Nickelodean booth will have a windowed pitch room at its center with open call hours throughout the day. If you want to be in that pitch room, you need to register in advance at www.nickshortpitches.com by Friday, 18 July. (If past experience has taught you nothing else, you should know to register way before that.)

Here's a direct quote on the program: "Nickelodeon’s Animated Shorts Program, which is designed to identify and develop original comedy-driven content for kids, was launched in 2012 and took 600 pitches in its inaugural year. The program became global its second year. Concepts are received in all animation, styles from 2D, digital 2D, stop motion, CG and mixed media. Finalists are provided with the necessary artistic and production support teams to help them complete their fully animated original, humor-based and character-driven shorts."


You can find out more here, including a list of recent projects and artists discovered by the program.