WonderCon 2026: Full Schedule

6:00pm PDT

The Vertical Drama Format Powers Up with Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Horror, and Adventure

Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

Verticals are everywhere! Filmed in the upright format for cell phone viewing, saucy CEO and billionaire movies with a hook-you cliffhanger at the end of each 1- to 3-minute episode have been surging, grabbing millions of views and millions of dollars. Now creators are stepping forward into this space, bringing compelling stories—tales of sci-fi, fantasy, superheroes, horror, and more. This panel goes behind the scenes of the format. It wouldn't be a vertical experience without a cliffhanger and a surprise or two, and actors and creators exploring this new universe share how they approach it: Gabe Armentano (Hear My Love Again), Evan Camacho (Game of Choice), Andre Philip Coleman (writer/director/producer, Milestone), Molly Flanagan (Tangled up in Christmas, OMG I'm Surrounded by Three Princes), Jake Hobbs (When I Was Gone, He Went Mad), Emily Lisa Jones (Callsign: Legacy), Jaki Lauper (Their Brother Lost in Space, Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.), Riley Nottingham (Hive, Love Me Like You Hate Me), and Rosa Singerman (Blood and Bones of the Disowned Daughter, Dracula's Daughter 2). Moderated by Michael Day (Talented Universe).

Friday March 27, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A

U: Updated, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

8:00pm PDT

Dune: Psychology of the Hero's Journey and Losing Innocence

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

Room 207

In so many fantasy and sci-fi stories, the moment where the protagonist comes into their power is an event of excitement and unfettered joy. So why does it feel differently in Dune? This panel of psychology nerds and experts—Dr. James Poole (The Relational Nerd), Dr. Kile Ortigo (existential psychologist; author Beyond the Narrow Life), Dr. Isaac Taitz (president of All Mind Health) and David Carzell (actor, content creator)—explore various perspectives on what it means to grow up. While it can sometimes be a beautiful moment where we develop our independence and show the world our voice, it can also be a time of loss. Panelists will explore the loss of innocence in Paul Atreides as he becomes Lisan al-Gaib, the dream and humor he gives up, and what it means to fulfill a sense of duty and obligation to the world writ large. And be sure to be there at the start to be welcomed in by a psychologist who will lead attendees on a Bene Gesserit-themed mindfulness breathing exercise.

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 207

U: Updated, Books, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy | 1: Programs, Books, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

12:00pm PDT

The DisneyBound Blog: Styling for Fandom Fashion

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Room 300E

In the 15 years since The Disneybound Blog became a viral sensation, it has brought together a global community sharing their love of Disney fandom and creative fashion expression by incorporating both into daily styling. Disneybounding pros Logan Allison, Shannon Kiang, Jazmine Liew, Clarione, and Tory Hatcher present tools for bringing whimsy and favorite fandoms to personal wardrobes. Moderated by Kelsey Walmer.

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300E

U: Updated, Animation, Cosplay, Fandom, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television | 1: Programs, Animation, Cosplay, Fandom, Movies, Seminars & Workshops, Superheroes, Television

12:00pm PDT

Your Superpower and How It Fits in Animation

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

Room 209

The good folks at The Animation Guild (TAG) are here to show that if you're interested in a career in the animation world, drawing isn't the only thing they're looking for. Eric Robles (Stranger Things: Tales from '85), Christian Streaty (Star Wars: Young Jedi Adventures), Jason Mayer (The Wild Robot), Chris Battle (Teen Titans Go!), Kristen Gish (Star vs. The Forces of Evil), and Ian Graham (Stranger Things: Tales from '85) discuss how your strengths might fit into the many and multifaceted roles that bring animation to life. Moderated by David Avallone (Batwheels), the panel covers screenwriters, storyboard artists, production workers, CG animators, designers, and more to show that there is a place for everyone in the exciting world of animation.

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 209

U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Art and Illustration, Movies, Television, Writers & Writing

12:30pm PDT

Designing Worlds: Careers in Games, Costumes, Sets, and Art Direction

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT

Room 300C

iAsia Brown (senior producer, gaming consulting), Juda Escalante (specialty costume manufacturer), Chris Gilman (founder of Global Effects), KC Mancebo (producer/art director Sailor Moon, Clamorhouse), David Tobocman (composer, film and TV) offer insights and advice on building careers in games, costumes, set design, and art direction. Moderated by Heather Cook (speaker and community builder, Microsoft).

Saturday March 28, 2026 12:30pm - 1:30pm PDT
Room 300C

U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Costuming, Education, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Costuming, Education, Games, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy

5:00pm PDT

Scaring Audiences to Death

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

Room 213CD

Now in theaters and hitting streaming soon, Scared to Death is a new horror/comedy film featuring horror legend Lin Shaye (Insidious franchise) and Bill Moseley (The Texas Chainsaw Massacre Part 2, Rob Zombie's Firefly trilogy, The Devil's Rejects). Hear Shaye discuss a celebrated career in the genre, and get the inside scoop about the intricacies of blending comedy with horror from director/writer Paul Boyd (Vicious Circle), Legacy Effects visual effects master J. Alan Scott (Ahsoka, Skeleton Crew), and actors Victoria Konefal (Days of Our Lives), Kurt Deimer (Halloween), B.J. Minor (Bel-Air), and Olivier Paris (A.P. Bio). Noted horror journalist Brian Collins (Fangoria, Bloody Disgusting, Horror Movie A Day) will moderate.

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 213CD

U: Updated, Action/Adventure, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies | 1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Horror and Suspense, Humor & Satire, Movies

8:30pm PDT

The Art of Movie Posters

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT

Room 213AB

This panel goes behind the scenes with movie poster artists who are keeping that great tradition alive and well today. Kyle Lambert (Stranger Things) and Nima Neemz Nakhshab (Jurassic World: Fallen Kingdom) take attendees through their processes step by step and dive deep into the storied history of movie poster art. Moderated by Tom Racine.

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:30pm - 9:30pm PDT
Room 213AB

U: Updated, Movies, Art and Illustration | 1: Programs, Movies, Art and Illustration

11:30am PDT

The Future of Fandom: VHS to 4K to Now What?

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT

Room 300C

Fandom is evolving faster than ever, blurring the lines between physical and digital, ownership and experience. What does the next era of fan connection really look like? Creative industry leaders behind work for Disney, Paramount, Netflix, and more explore where fandom, collectability, and community are headed next. Vicki Tunkel and Dino Espinosa (creative directors at Foundry LA), Jaraad Virani (filmmaker, motion designer), Chris Kawagiwa (narrative illustrator, ADG 800), and Pablo Romero-Estevez (Deeper Issues Nerdcast) take part in a forward-looking conversation. Moderated by Kasey Yee (CEO of Foundry LA).

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:30am - 12:30pm PDT
Room 300C

U: Updated, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television | 1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Art and Illustration, Fandom, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

1:00pm PDT

Set Decoration for Puppets

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 300A

Set decoration for movies and television is hard enough, but what if the lead actor is made of felt and controlled by wires? Set decorators talk about the challenges of designing sets to work with puppets, and the puppeteers who move them, with Don Diers, SDSA (set decorator, The Muppets 2015), Julie Drach, SDSA (set decorator, Crank Yankers), and Bethany Barton (set decorator, The Muppet Show Special). Moderated by Michelle Hall, SDSA and Prerna Chawla, SDSA. Part of the Set Decorators Society of America's series of panels on film and TV set decoration.

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A

U: Updated, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television | 1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Movies, Television

1:00pm PDT

The Magical World of LGBTQ+ Fantasy

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Room 211

LGBTQ+ fantasy comics and graphic novels have become very popular. The fantasy genre provides a safe space for writers and artists to explore deeply felt real-life stories, challenges, and difficulties that might be much harsher if told in realistic terms. Prism Comics, moderator William O Tyler (We Belong; Theater of Terror: Revenge of the Queers!), and panelists Ben Crane (Cosmic Cadets, Scattered Futures), Nicole Maines (Suicide Squad, Bad Dream), Ajuan Mance (Gender Studies; Living While Black), Emely Corona Sandoval (animator), and Jasmine Walls (Brooms, The Last Session, Vol. 1: Roll For Initiative) discuss how myths, folktales, and fantasy influence queer storytelling in comics and how fantasy helps readers both escape and gain greater understanding and empathy for queer lives and queer experiences.

Sunday March 29, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 211

2:00pm PDT

Spotlight on Floyd Norman

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 211

Disney Legend and WonderCon special guest Floyd Norman discusses a career that helped shape modern animation. From his early work at Disney, beginning with Sleeping Beauty, to beloved classics such as The Jungle Book, Mary Poppins, and The Hunchback of Notre Dame, along with later contributions at Pixar on films including Toy Story 2 and Monsters, Inc., Norman’s journey spans decades of industry evolution. Moderated by live action/animation producer and ASIFA-Hollywood vice president David Derks.

Special Guests

Floyd Norman

A-02, WonderCon Special Guest

Venerated animator Floyd Norman is known for his long relationship with the Disney Company, which began in 1959 with Sleeping Beauty and over the years included 101 Dalmatians, Mary Poppins, The Sword in the Stone, The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame, Mulan, and Home o... Read More →

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 211

U: Updated, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Humor & Satire, Movies, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances | 1: Programs, Animation, Art and Illustration, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Humor & Satire, Movies, Television, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

2:00pm PDT

Storytelling Through Music: The Craft of Writing Music for Film, TV, and Video Games

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Room 209

Composers are an essential part of the creative process when telling stories through media. An impactful score can elevate the experience for the audience and make a lasting impression. Professional composers across film, television, and video games talk about their creative approach to writing memorable music and how they maintain momentum in their careers. Kara Talve (The Simpsons), Paul Leonard-Morgan (Cyberpunk 2077), Stephanie Economou (Jupiter’s Legacy), and Tori Letzler (Call of Duty). The panel is co-moderated by BMI’s director of film, TV, and visual media, Louie Stephens, and Chandler Poling of White Bear PR.

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 209

U: Updated, Television, Movies | 1: Programs, Television, Movies

4:00pm PDT

Story Artists Unleashed!

Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Room 300A

Take a peek behind the scenes of animation story art, with never-before-seen storyboards, personal sketches, wild caricatures, funny drawings from the people who worked on your favorite animated films, and lots of stuff you weren't supposed to see! Featuring Steve Anderson (Meet the Robinsons), Jeff Ranjo (Frozen), Chris Ure (Big Hero 6), and Joe Moshier (Across the Spider-Verse); moderated by Tom Racine.

Sunday March 29, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A

U: Updated, Animation, Movies | 1: Programs, Animation, Movies

WonderCon 2026

6:00pm PDT

8:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

12:00pm PDT

12:30pm PDT

5:00pm PDT

8:30pm PDT

11:30am PDT

1:00pm PDT

1:00pm PDT

2:00pm PDT

Floyd Norman

2:00pm PDT

4:00pm PDT

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