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Type: Film/TV/Media Arts clear filter
Friday, July 11
 

2:30pm EDT

Women in Film (need to change time)
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004. She wrote and produced a short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions which has since produced dozens of short films as well as five feature films, all which have received world-wide... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Science Guest
Angela Giddings is a writer, scientist, and independent filmmaker from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She is the author of the futuristic dark fantasy series Dance of Ages... Read More →
avatar for Cheralyn Lambeth

Cheralyn Lambeth

Film Guest
Cheralyn (Cher) Lambeth is a professional costume, prop, and puppet builder whose work includes feature films (The Muppet Christmas Carol, The Patriot, Evan Almighty, The Hunger Games, Are You There, God? It's Me, Margaret), television shows (Dinosaurs!, Homeland, Outcast, The Hunting... Read More →
avatar for Jennifer McCollom

Jennifer McCollom

Film Guest
Jennifer double majored in Theatre and Physics at the University of NC Greensboro and went to Westmore makeup academy. From there she followed her path into Film starting with Taking Liberty in 1990.She has worked on John Adams, which won an Emmy for makeup, and The Eyes of Tammy... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 2:30pm - 3:30pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

3:30pm EDT

Nevermore Academy: What's Next for Wednesday Addams in Season Two?
Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
In Season One, smart, sarcastic and a little dead inside, Wednesday Addams solved a murder spree while making new friends — and foes — at Nevermore Academy.   But as Season Two begins on August 6th, let's talk about what is in store for our favorite kreepy, kooky, spooky teenager?


Speakers
avatar for Kevin A Davis

Kevin A Davis

Literary Guest
Kevin A Davis is an award-winning contemporary fantasy author with three published series; the episodic DRC files with Kristen, the Khimmer Chronicles featuring the lively assassin Ahnjii, and the AngelSong series centering around the indominable Haddie. A multitude of his short stories... Read More →
avatar for Sarah J. Sover

Sarah J. Sover

Literary Guest
Sarah J. Sover is the author of fantasy crossover novels, short stories, and nonfiction articles. Sarah writes the Fractured Fae Series (Fairy Godmurder, Faed to Black, and Pixie Dusted), Contemporary Fantasy she calls Jessica Jones with sparkle, for Falstaff Books. Her comedic fantasy... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 3:30pm - 4:30pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

4:00pm EDT

Summer Blockbusters!
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
So, like, let's talk about those awesome summer blockbuster movies, dude! We've got classics like Independence Day and the Star Trek reboot, bringing us some super rad adventures, wicked cool characters, and jaw-dropping special effects. These movies have totally made a splash in movie history, capturing the hearts of fans all over the world. There's just something magical about watching these flicks on the big screen, right? It's like a whole experience, getting lost in the story and feeling all the thrills. And hey, it's pretty sweet how storytelling can bring people together from all corners of the globe. So yeah, let's keep on loving and cherishing that movie magic, 'cause it's something truly special that we all dig.


Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

4:00pm EDT

What Film Festivals Really Want (And What They Absolutely Don’t!)
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
Join our panel of film festival runners as they discuss exactly what film festivals are looking for, and what they most
definitely are not looking for, share insights into proper film festival etiquette, what to do, what not to do, and
share tips and tricks on how to get the most out of your festival run with your film!

*Make sure Chris can come during this time??
Speakers
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004. She wrote and produced a short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions which has since produced dozens of short films as well as five feature films, all which have received world-wide... Read More →
avatar for Angela Giddings

Angela Giddings

Science Guest
Angela Giddings is a writer, scientist, and independent filmmaker from North Carolina.  She has a PhD in Microbiology and authored multiple scientific articles in virology, cell line design, and gene therapy.  She is the author of the futuristic dark fantasy series Dance of Ages... Read More →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 4:00pm - 5:00pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

5:30pm EDT

So, You Made a Movie… Now What?
Friday July 11, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
Congratulations! You’ve made an independent film! You’ve officially joined the ranks of a legendary and ever-
growing club that contains some of the biggest names in cinematic history. All your hard work and sacrifice has
paid off and you have your very own movie to show for it! So, um… what are you supposed to… you know… do

with it now? Where do you go with it? How will people see it? What are your options? Join our panel of longtime
indie filmmakers as they discuss the ins and outs of what to do with your film once it is released, share helpful
hints, and hopefully help you find the best life for your film after the final cut!

Moderator: Dave Harlequin
Speakers
avatar for Christine Parker

Christine Parker

Film Guest
Christine Parker began her film career in Sanford, North Carolina in 2004. She wrote and produced a short film “Second Death” that led to her forming Adrenalin Productions which has since produced dozens of short films as well as five feature films, all which have received world-wide... Read More →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 5:30pm - 6:30pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:00pm EDT

Appreciation for Audio Dramas
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)

From the 1920s through the 1940s, radio dramas captivated audiences with immersive storytelling, becoming a dominant form of entertainment before television took over in the 1950s. Yet, the format never truly disappeared as it continued to evolve. Before his rise to comedy stardom, a young Bill Murray voiced the Human Torch in a Fantastic Four radio serial, part of Marvel’s early ventures into the medium. Other Marvel heroes, alongside DC’s Superman and Batman, found a home on the airwaves, bringing comic book adventures to life long before they became cinematic icons. Detective stories also thrived, with The Saint featuring Vincent Price as the smooth-talking vigilante before the character found new life on television.

Many of these productions successfully transitioned to new formats. Dragnet moved to television with Jack Webb still leading as Joe Friday, setting the standard for procedural storytelling. The Shadow found its way to motion pictures, proving the lasting appeal of these stories. Comedy, suspense, drama, horror, science fiction, and fantasy all flourished, shaping entertainment for generations. Even advertising became part of the experience as Burns and Gracie mastered the art of weaving their sponsor into the script, blending promotion with humor. Though its golden age has passed, the influence of this style of storytelling continues to resonate through television, film, and the resurgence of audio narratives.
Speakers
avatar for SYRINX

SYRINX

Online Media Guest
SYRINX is active across multiple entertainment platforms, blending creativity with music production, acting, and media. As an independent music producer and remixer, he previously worked with a record label from 2017 until its disbanding in 2023. Alongside his music career, he has... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:00pm EDT

 "And They Called Me Mad!" The Worst Ideas of Mad Scientists, Supervillains, and Other People Who Should Have Known Better
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Throughout history, there have been many instances of individuals, such as mad scientists and supervillains, who have pursued dangerous and morally questionable endeavors driven by curiosity, desire for power, or a thirst for knowledge. These actions, which range from creating life in laboratories to unleashing chaos upon the world, often have catastrophic consequences like deadly viruses, doomsday devices, and unethical human experiments. Let's discuss how the aftermath of their worst ideas leaves a lasting impact on society, serving as a cautionary reminder of the dangers of unchecked ambition and the potential to shape the course of history in profound ways.

Requests:
Speakers
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of the Mad Kestrel series of rollicking fantasy adventures on the high seas, including Kestrel's Dance, winner of the 2023 Palmetto Scribe Award For Best Novel, and the upcoming Dead Man series. She freelances as a copy and developmental editor for Falstaff... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
avatar for Robert Hampson

Robert Hampson

Science Guest
Dr. Robert E. Hampson is a neuroscientist, professor, and science fiction author who spends his days decoding how memories work and his nights trying to remember where he left his keys. With a Ph.D. in Physiology & Pharmacology, he’s been on a lifelong quest to figure out what’s... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

9:30pm EDT

Time is Fleeting - 50th Anniversary of Rocky Horror Picture Show
Friday July 11, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
Damnit, Janet, can you believe that it’s been 50 years since we broke down in front of that creepy castle! Join our panel of Transylvanians as we discuss one of the original cult midnight movies! Can you withstand the antici...

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of the Mad Kestrel series of rollicking fantasy adventures on the high seas, including Kestrel's Dance, winner of the 2023 Palmetto Scribe Award For Best Novel, and the upcoming Dead Man series. She freelances as a copy and developmental editor for Falstaff... Read More →
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Sarah J. Sover

Sarah J. Sover

Literary Guest
Sarah J. Sover is the author of fantasy crossover novels, short stories, and nonfiction articles. Sarah writes the Fractured Fae Series (Fairy Godmurder, Faed to Black, and Pixie Dusted), Contemporary Fantasy she calls Jessica Jones with sparkle, for Falstaff Books. Her comedic fantasy... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
avatar for SYRINX

SYRINX

Online Media Guest
SYRINX is active across multiple entertainment platforms, blending creativity with music production, acting, and media. As an independent music producer and remixer, he previously worked with a record label from 2017 until its disbanding in 2023. Alongside his music career, he has... Read More →
Friday July 11, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
  Film/TV/Media Arts
 
Saturday, July 12
 

9:00am EDT

1985: The Year in Science Fiction
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Join our panel of science fiction enthusiasts as they go over the very best (and the very worst) that science fiction/fantasy films had to offer 40 years ago!

Let's talk about Clue and Legend, Weird Science and Real Genius, The Goonies and Back to the Future and anything else we can think of.

Requests:
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for SYRINX

SYRINX

Online Media Guest
SYRINX is active across multiple entertainment platforms, blending creativity with music production, acting, and media. As an independent music producer and remixer, he previously worked with a record label from 2017 until its disbanding in 2023. Alongside his music career, he has... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00am - 10:00am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

9:30am EDT

Mutant Mayhem - 25 Years of Fox's X-Men
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
Storm! Cyclops! Jean Grey! Rogue! Logan! Wheels! They may be about to finally enter the MCU, but before they do, let's put on some black leather and celebrate the franchise that brought Marvel's Merry Mutants to pop culture prominence!

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

Chuck Parker

Performance Guest
A performer for more than 35 years, Chuck Parker has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, jazz sideman, open mic host, filk circle regular, session player, and World’s Okayest Bassist™.Chuck has been a regular on the con circuit for more than a... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30am - 10:30am EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

10:30am EDT

Did We Watch the Same Thing?
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 10:30am - 11:30am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

12:00pm EDT

Science Fiction Movies that Nobody Considers Science Fiction
Saturday July 12, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
From SECONDS to KISS ME DEADLY to ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND, some films bury their science fiction premise so deep into the storyline that critics and audiences miss it.

Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 12:00pm - 1:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

1:30pm EDT

Toe-Tapping Terror: Where Music & Horror Meet, from Sinners to Suspiria
Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Horror films are known for their great soundtracks, and some of the most beloved musicals are also horror stories. Everything from Rocky Horror Picture Show to Suspiria to Sinners to Buffy the Vampire Slayer to Little Shop of Horrors--and many more--have given us memorable music to amplify the dread and catharsis. What are some of our favorite examples of horror soundtracks? What makes them so memorable and effective? Is there something special about horror that invites exceptional music? And what great horror stories do we wish we could see slay on Broadway?

requests: Sammie Cassell, Gary Mitchel, Carol Cowles, Meri Elena

Speakers
avatar for Michael G. Williams

Michael G. Williams

Online Media Guest
Michael G. Williams writes queer-themed horror and science fiction celebrating the monstrous and the macabre. His books include the award-winning vampire series The Withrow Chronicles (Laine Cunningham Award); the thrilling urban fantasy time travel series Servant Sovereign; the sci-fi... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 1:30pm - 2:30pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

3:00pm EDT

It wouldn't be Summer w/o JAWS...
Saturday July 12, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Jaws turns 50 this year.  It's an epic summer movie whose distinctive musical score still makes generations look behind them. In fact, some folks still won't go into the ocean even 50 years later.

Join our panelists as they discuss how this iconic movie influenced modern life and future movies.

requests: Sammie Cassell, Carol Cowles, Jason Roach, Stuart Jaffe
Saturday July 12, 2025 3:00pm - 4:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

4:30pm EDT

Classic Reboots: She-Ra, He-Man, Voltron and the one that started it all MLP
Saturday July 12, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Talk about this stuff

requests:Tom Hutchens
Saturday July 12, 2025 4:30pm - 5:30pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

6:30pm EDT

Sci-Fi Court!
Saturday July 12, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
Description: There are some movies that all of geekdom have decided are "bad." But, are they really? Come listen as our panel of defense experts will explain why these derided movies are actually worth your time! Then you, the audience Jury will determine if the films deserve exoneration, or execution!
(Note for Tera - I will need at least TWO other panelists, preferably three or four, who will let me know what movies they wish to defend. I am checking now if Michael Williams is up for this - I may also need a projector so a laptop can project a Power Point presentation).

Michael G Williams? Bill Mulligan? Jennifer McCollom? Jason Gilbert?

Requests: Syrinx, Carol Cowles
Speakers
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 6:30pm - 7:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

7:30pm EDT

Romero's Legacy - 40 Years of Day of the Dead/20 Years of Land of the Dead
Saturday July 12, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
Whether it's in a mall, or a repurposed housing project in Pittsburgh, George A. Romero told us stories where there may be zombies, but the real threat comes from what people will do to each other, and the societies we've built. Join us as we discuss the themes, the scares, and the impact of these two films.
Speakers
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 7:30pm - 8:30pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:00pm EDT

Doctor WHOrror?
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
 An open, guided discussion on the strong elements of horror in Doctor Who. (I have a PPT prepared and would require AV hook up for a Mac)

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Darin Kennedy

Darin Kennedy

Literary Guest
Darin Kennedy, born and raised in Winston-Salem, NC, is a graduate of Wake Forest University and Bowman Gray School of Medicine. After completing family medicine residency in the mountains of Virginia, he served eight years as a United States Army physician and wrote his first novel... Read More →
avatar for Kevin A Davis

Kevin A Davis

Literary Guest
Kevin A Davis is an award-winning contemporary fantasy author with three published series; the episodic DRC files with Kristen, the Khimmer Chronicles featuring the lively assassin Ahnjii, and the AngelSong series centering around the indominable Haddie. A multitude of his short stories... Read More →
avatar for Hollis Jo McCollum

Hollis Jo McCollum

Literary Guest
Hollis is the proud author of two different fantasy series: The Raashan Series and The Lost Beacon Chronicles. She has a happy life with her husband and two cats. When she’s not writing fantastical adventures with inspired romantic subplots, she enjoys expressing herself through... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:00pm EDT

Pro-Wrestling: It’s a Fandom Too!
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
For those that GET pro-wrestling, no explanation is needed. For those that DON’T, no explanation will do. This is a
panel for those that DO. So, come on out and discuss all of your favorite pro-wrestling stuff here with other people
who also get it!

(Note: Make sure time is one that Cindy can attend)

requests:
Speakers
avatar for John G. Hartness

John G. Hartness

Literary Guest
John G. Hartness is a teller of tales, a righter of wrong, defender of ladies’ virtues, and some people call him Maurice, for he speaks of the pompatus of love. He is also the award-winning author of the urban fantasy series The Black Knight Chronicles, the Bubba the Monster Hunter... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest
Sammie Cassell is a NC based actor, producer and comedian. He has been seen in Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Please Don’t Destroy, Righteous Gemstones and many local films. He does Improv comedy out of the Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro NC and is a performer with the... Read More →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:00pm - 9:00pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

8:30pm EDT

1985: The Year in Horror!
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
Join our panel of horror enthusiasts, film industry professionals, and certified 80s movie experts as they go over
the very best (and the very worst) that horror had to offer exactly 40 years ago in this fun and fully interactive
discussion!


Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
avatar for Dave Harlequin

Dave Harlequin

Film Guest
Described by both press and colleagues as an "independent renaissance man" and "voice of the underground," among other things, Dave Harlequin is a professional screenwriter, journalist, author, and independent filmmaker from Charlotte, North Carolina. He is the Creative Director of... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 8:30pm - 9:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
  Film/TV/Media Arts

9:00pm EDT

Hazbin Hotel & Helluva Boss
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
Animated Shows that aren't for children
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:00pm - 10:00pm EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

9:30pm EDT

Let's Go to Camp Blood! - 45th Anniversary of Friday the 13th
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
Back in 1980, a sleek little murder mystery movie came out that not only kept its studio afloat, but defined a genre of horror, and birthed one of the biggest (literally) horror icons! Come join us as we celebrate the birthday of mommy's best boy, Jason Vorhees (even if he's not technically the killer in this one)!

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest
Sammie Cassell is a NC based actor, producer and comedian. He has been seen in Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Please Don’t Destroy, Righteous Gemstones and many local films. He does Improv comedy out of the Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro NC and is a performer with the... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Saturday July 12, 2025 9:30pm - 10:30pm EDT
Piedmont (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts
 
Sunday, July 13
 

10:00am EDT

AI in Star Trek
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Salem (Marriott)
Artificial intelligence has long been a cornerstone of the Star Trek universe, from the sentient android Data in The Next Generation to the advanced AI systems in Discovery and Picard. But how closely do these fictional representations of AI mirror the developments and challenges we face in the real world today? Join a diverse panel of scientists, technologists, and Star Trek experts as they explore the fascinating correlation between AI in Star Trek and the cutting-edge AI technologies shaping our future.
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Salem (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

10:00am EDT

Aliens and Hurtful Stereotypes
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
Aliens are so tired of hurtful stereotypes! Many sci-fi alien species are defined by a single dominant characteristic: Warlike or peaceful, hot-tempered or zen, wise or foolish. What makes an alien culture "alien," and how can you create a rich alien culture that defies stereotyping based on a single trait?

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Dennis M Myers

Dennis M Myers

Literary Guest
Born and raised in central Minnesota, Dennis M. Myers developed a serious reading habit early in life due to the influence of his grandmother. In late high school he read one particularly "awful" book and, with all that teenage hubris, decided that he could do better.After spending... Read More →
avatar for Jim Beall

Jim Beall

Science Guest
Jim Beall (BS-Math, MBA, PE) has been a nuclear engineer for 50 years, beginning as a nuclear engineering officer in the US Navy. Civilian experience includes design, construction, inspection, enforcement, and assessment with a nuclear utility, an architect engineering firm, and the... Read More →
avatar for Jo Boone

Jo Boone

Literary Guest
Jo Boone is the author of the Combined Service series: The Magnetar, Elaninae, and The Celestial Sea, published by Chris Kennedy Publishing/Theogony Press. Jo’s science fiction and fantasy stories have appeared in Remnants of Empire and (under the byline Jennifer Busick) in the... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 1 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

10:00am EDT

HIdden Disney: Metaphors within the Disney World
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Disney tells beautiful stories with great characters and enchanting storylines.  But what happens when you see Disney as a metaphor?  From the obvious (Inside Out) to the more subtle (Encanto), let's talk about how Disney uses characters, objects, and events to represent deeper ideas and themes.
Sunday July 13, 2025 10:00am - 11:00am EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

11:30am EDT

Cowabunga! 35th Anniversary of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: The Movie!
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
Description: Is it the best comic book movie ever made? It's certainly the best one involving ninjas, testudines, and Sam Rockwell! Our panel of experts will talk about the high kicks, the low blows, and determine the best pizza toppings that pair with nunchucks!
(Note to Tera - if there's any way we can order some pizzas to make this panel a Pizza Party, that would be fantastic. If not, I understand!)

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Chuck Parker

Chuck Parker

Performance Guest
A performer for more than 35 years, Chuck Parker has filled many musical roles: heavy metal guitarist, singer/songwriter, jazz sideman, open mic host, filk circle regular, session player, and World’s Okayest Bassist™.Chuck has been a regular on the con circuit for more than a... Read More →
avatar for J. E. Pittman

J. E. Pittman

Literary Guest
J.E. Pittman dabbles in many speculative worlds. He blurs the borders between genre and crafts salient lies to tell a measure of truth. His work has been described as: capriciously chimeric, dreamlike, and a vivid enigma with indelible images stamped on your brain. He independently... Read More →
avatar for Gary Mitchel

Gary Mitchel

Fan Guest
Gary Mitchel is a writer, reviewer, gamer, podcaster, and general geek living near Atlanta.Gary is the Co-Director, with Joe Crowe, of the American Sci-Fi Classics Track at Dragon Con. Together, they plot panels on various geeky topics, from 80s vampires, to cats in space, to the... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Bethabara (Marriott) - Room can get COLD!!!
  Film/TV/Media Arts

11:30am EDT

Summer of '75 - Science Fiction, Horror and Fantasy in Film and TV
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
We've already highlighted JAWS and Rocky Horror but let's talk about the other movies and TV Shows of 1975 - Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Tommy, Escape to Witch Mountain, Wonder Woman (Pilot Movie), Alice Cooper: The Nightmare, and Rollerball.

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Carol Cowles

Carol Cowles

Online Media Guest
Carol has long been a fixture of Geek Culture in Charlotte, NC. She has served for several years as the Programming Director for ConCarolinas and worked the Carolina and Arizona Renaissance Festivals for 15 years. She also podcasts – she is Carol the Cat on Guardians of the Geekery... Read More →
avatar for Sammie Cassell

Sammie Cassell

Film Guest
Sammie Cassell is a NC based actor, producer and comedian. He has been seen in Halloween Kills, Eyes of Tammy Faye, Please Don’t Destroy, Righteous Gemstones and many local films. He does Improv comedy out of the Idiot Box Comedy Club in Greensboro NC and is a performer with the... Read More →
avatar for Bill Mulligan

Bill Mulligan

Film Guest
Bill Mulligan is a podcaster, author, and indie filmmaker with a passion for horror and storytelling. With years of experience in independent cinema, he has contributed to numerous film projects as a writer, director, and special effects artist, such as 400 Ways To Kill A Vampire... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 11:30am - 12:30pm EDT
Terrace 2 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

Andor as the New Star Wars
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
Andor in the Star Wars universe deviates from the usual focus on Jedi and their battles by emphasizing characters who aren't necessarily Jedi, offering intimate and personal narratives set in a complex galaxy. This shift allows for exploring themes of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption from a more relatable angle, challenging viewers to ponder the complexities of morality and heroism in a universe where light and dark are not always clear-cut. By prioritizing character-driven stories over cosmic conflicts, Andor offers a fresh and nuanced take on the Star Wars saga, diving into the inner lives and relationships of its protagonists and providing a compelling perspective on the eternal struggle between good and evil in a universe rife with conflict and deceit.

Requests:
Speakers
avatar for Jennifer Whitworth

Jennifer Whitworth

Science Guest
Jennifer Whitworth is an engineer and writer from Huntsville AL. Currently working at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, she supports Artemis and Gateway Payload Integration working directly with the science teams to help them through the various processes to design, build, test... Read More →
avatar for Tom Hutchens

Tom Hutchens

Costuming Guest
For the founder of the Mando Mercs Costume Club, being a Mandalorian fan goes all the way back to 1983, a five year old sitting in the theater watching Boba Fett fall into the Sarlacc Pit in “STAR WARS: Return of the Jedi.In 2007, Tom Hutchens founded the Mando Mercs Costume Club... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Terrace 3 (Embassy Suites)
  Film/TV/Media Arts

1:00pm EDT

Gods, Myths, and Otherworlds: The Fusion of Mythology in Speculative Narratives
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
Mythology has continuously transcended traditional boundaries, merging with Science Fiction and Fantasy in stories like Percy Jackson, Hercules, Xena, and Stargate. This fusion creates captivating narratives that delve into the relationship between the divine and fantastical elements, reimagining gods and mythical beings in futuristic, alternate, and magical settings where they interact with mortals, supernatural forces, and interstellar civilizations. The convergence of gods and myths with speculative elements results in endless possibilities, creating a rich tapestry of worldbuilding that immerses audiences in imaginative realms ranging from Asgard to alien planets, Celtic forests to cybernetic cities. Let's discuss how, through these narratives, the enduring power of storytelling and universal themes resonate, encouraging exploration of the limitless potential of human imagination.

requests:
Speakers
avatar for Misty Massey

Misty Massey

Literary Guest
Misty Massey is the author of the Mad Kestrel series of rollicking fantasy adventures on the high seas, including Kestrel's Dance, winner of the 2023 Palmetto Scribe Award For Best Novel, and the upcoming Dead Man series. She freelances as a copy and developmental editor for Falstaff... Read More →
avatar for Meri Elena

Meri Elena

Literary Guest
I am a North Carolina speculative fiction writer, mostly of dark fantasy and paranormal, but I don't really color inside the lines. I published my first short story when I was fourteen, and my mom insisted I use a pen name. I took some creative license with my actual first and middle... Read More →
avatar for Molly Ann McDonough

Molly Ann McDonough

Science Guest
Molly Ann McDonough is an author, poet, and multidisciplinary engineer with short stories featured in science fiction and fantasy anthologies. Jumpmaster Press has scheduled her debut fantasy novel, A World Apart, for release in 2026. When Molly isn’t reading, writing, or coding... Read More →
Sunday July 13, 2025 1:00pm - 2:00pm EDT
Moravian (Marriott)
  Film/TV/Media Arts
 
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