WonderCon 2026 has ended

Create Your Own Event

WonderCon 2026

2:00pm PDT

Crafting Pop Culture Content to Educate

Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

In a world of fast edits and even faster social media virality, crafting educational social media content has become increasingly important; audiences are constantly looking for the next video or article to take their knowledge even further. This panel examines what it takes to craft unique and memorable educational content and how audience reactions can guide the creation of more impactful work. Host Jason Patrick Galit (JPG) (pop culture educator and consultant, InterMyth) is joined by Sarah Berman (manager and creative producer, The Pacific Pals), Goldie Chan (branding expert and author, Personal Branding for Introverts), Kurosh Jozavi (games journalist and host, Savepoint Stories), Cynthia Marie (TTRPG performer and lifestyle/mental health advocate), and Luke Richmond (artistic director, The Pacific Pals) to address appropriate research methods for content, differentiation through marketing and brand approach, and strategies for responding to anti-intellectual comments and bad-faith commenters on social media.

Friday March 27, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A

U: Updated, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM, Web | 1: Programs, BIPOC, Education, Fandom, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Seminars & Workshops, Technology - Science - STEM, Web

3:00pm PDT

Felicia Day: Creating Outside the Box

Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Multi-hyphenate Felicia Day (Supernatural, The Guild, Eureka) engages in a one-on-one discussion about her passion for creating independent content. She discusses her new graphic novel, The Lost Daughter of Sparta, and her web series The Guild, which is being revived with a reunion movie Kickstarter this summer.

Special Guests

Felicia Day

WonderCon Special Guest

Felicia Day is a prolific multi-hyphenate. She's the New York Times bestselling author of You're Never Weird on the Internet (Almost) and the creativity book Embrace Your Weird, and she wrote the Audible series "Third Eye" that won Best Audio Drama at the Audie Awards in 2024. H... Read More →

Friday March 27, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Books, Fandom, Tabletop Games, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Web, WonderCon Special Guest Spotlights & Appearances

4:00pm PDT

Women in Comics: Is It Finally Our Time?!

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Or are we going backwards? Expect a lively discussion with editor/journalist Heidi MacDonald (Comics Beat, Publishers Weekly), writer Amy Chu (Emma Frost, Carmilla: The First Vampire, Red Sonja), and some surprise guests.

Friday March 27, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Anime & Manga, BIPOC, Cartooning and Comic Strips, Comics, LGBTQIA+, Superheroes, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

Masks, Myth, and Meximalism: The World of Jorge R. Gutierrez

Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT

From El Tigre and The Book of Life to I, Chihuahua, and El Guapo vs. the Narco Vampires, Jorge R. Gutierrez has built one of the most unmistakable visual worlds in modern animation—where Lucha Libre spectacle, Mesoamerican mythology, bold Meximalist design, and raw emotional storytelling collide. In this exclusive WonderCon conversation presented by ASIFA-Hollywood, Gutierrez reveals how the theatrical energy of wrestling—its masks, archetypes, legacy, and larger-than-life drama—transforms into unforgettable animated characters and richly layered worlds. He is joined by character designer and voice actress Sandra Equihua (El Tigre, The Book of Life, Maya and the Three, El Guapo, and I, Chihuahua,) and art director/visual development artist Roman Laney (El Tigre, The Book of Life, El Guapo, and I, Chihuahua). This creative team shares behind-the-scenes insights into their collaborative process, artistic evolution, and the fearless world-building that defines their work.

Friday March 27, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Animation, Books

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

7:00pm PDT

Secrets of a Successful Pop Culture Podcast

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

Are you thinking about starting a pop culture podcast, or have you started one and find yourself facing challenges? Or are you just podcast-curious? A panel of successful pop culture mavens share experiences and insights about every element of podcasting, including recording, interviewing, and building and maintaining an audience. The co-hosts of the award-winning podcast The Writers Block, David Avallone (Elvira) and Rylend Grant (Banjax), are joined by Derek McCaw (Fanboy Planet), Aaron Nabus (Hall H Show), and Heidi MacDonald (The Beat).

Friday March 27, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Podcasts

8:00pm PDT

Golden Healing: K-Pop Demon Hunters

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

Irene Yu (credentialed counselor) appears as Rumi for an uplifting discussion. She unpacks self-worth, identity, and belonging through K-Pop Demon Hunters' storytelling and fandom. Attendees gain simple, powerful ways to talk about self-worth while celebrating fandom's joy and creativity. The session closes with a Golden Singalong, sealing The Honmoon in song, unity, and joy.

Friday March 27, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Animation, Cosplay, Education, Fandom, Movies, Music, Superheroes

9:00pm PDT

KHAAAANN!!!: Inside the Mind of Star Trek's Most Beloved Villain

Friday March 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT

For generations, Khan Noonien Singh has captured the minds and imaginations of countless Trekkies. Who is Khan? How did he get to be who we see? And most important, what happened after that fateful encounter with Kirk? The new podcast series Star Trek Khan dives into the minds of Khan, Marla McGivers, and the rest of the augment colony after being left behind by Kirk. Through their own words, we can start to understand them. Dr. Sara Roldan (Our Oasis Community Podcast), Dr. Shelly Clevenger (Sam Houston State University), Dr. James Poole (The Relational Nerd), and Dr. Benjamin Taitz (NerdNite OC) boldly go where no one has gone before: into the mind of Khan.

Friday March 27, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Education, Fandom, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television

11:00am PDT

4th Annual Scene Breakdown: Behind the Camera of Film and TV Shows

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Directors, editors, producers, composers, writers, and other industry experts share insights into their craft and break down memorable scenes from iconic film and television projects, exploring how they bring stories to life. Panelists include producer/actor Edgar Damatian, director Gedaly Guberek, creator/showrunner James McNamara (The Artful Dodger), film director/producer/CEO Kelley Kali, cinematographer Wesley Cardino, and composer Kenny Wood (Nobody Wants This, Locker Diaries: Zombies, A Winter's Song, Ricky, Shadow of the Mages). Moderated by writer/director Chris Rodriguez (Puffing Iron, They'll Find Him in the River). Part 1 of Impact24 PR's Panel Superblock.

Saturday March 28, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, BIPOC, Fandom, Humor & Satire, Movies, Music, Television

12:00pm PDT

6th Annual "It's Alive!": Designing Sci-Fi, Horror, and Comic Book Genre Film and TV

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

"It's Alive!" returns to WonderCon with an exploration of the creative work behind horror, anime, thriller, and comic book–inspired films and TV shows. Industry professionals reveal how they bring worlds and characters to life through the artistry of music, editing, and more in this deep dive into the creative process. Panelists include composer Daniel Rojas (Marvel's Hit-Monkey), editor Eric Litman, ACE (One Piece), composer Ian Arber (Drops of God season 2), editor Kristi Shimek (Wardriver), composer Sam Boase-Miller (Good Boy), and composer Sam Jones (Didn’t Die). Moderated by editor Maura Corey, ACE (Gen V). Part 2 of Impact24 PR's Panel Superblock.

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

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Comics, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Mysteries & Crime Dramas, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Writers & Writing

1:00pm PDT

1st Annual Behind the Cut: Postproduction in Film and TV

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT

Experts go behind the scenes of film and television to reveal how stories are finalized in the postproduction process. Through real-world examples, editors and composers break down their creative process and the decisions that shape stories into the final project. Panelists include editor Chris Rodriguez, ACE (Love Is Blind, Project Runway) , editor Daysha Broadway, ACE (The AI DOC or How I Became an Apocaloptimist), editor/director Jon Dudkowski (Star Trek: Starfleet Academy), composer Joy Ngiaw (WondLa), composer Kristen Personius (Tyler Perry's Finding Joy), and Max Davidoff-Grey (The Witcher season 4). Moderated by Ben Urquhart (California Post Alliance). Part 3 of Impact24 PR's Panel Superblock, in partnership with the California Post Alliance.

Saturday March 28, 2026 1:00pm - 2:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, BIPOC, Fandom, Movies, Music, Television

2:00pm PDT

What Is Funlosophy?

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT

Funko founder Michael Leo Becker shares stories of the good, the bad, and the "funley"—from building a business to hard-earned life lessons.

Saturday March 28, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action Figures - Toys - Collectibles, Fandom

3:00pm PDT

Set Decoration of Marvel's Wonder Man

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Marvel dropped its newest show in January, set in the weird world of Hollywood and the MCU. Set decorator Lizzie Boyle, SDSA and members of the set decoration department (assistant set decorator Nicole Riley and set dec buyer Avery Ferguson) talk about the sets of this stylish show. Moderated by Rae Deslich, SDSA and Michelle Hall, SDSA. Part of the Set Decorators Society of America's series of panels on film and TV set decoration.

Saturday March 28, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, BIPOC, Comics, Cosplay, Education, Movies, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television

4:00pm PDT

Strange Love: Writing Romantic SFF/H

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT

Genre-blending in books is booming, and mixing the speculative and the swoony offers opportunities for engaging readers, from monster romance to paranormal paramours, from touches of fabulism to full-out fantasy. Leanne "L. A." Schwartz (A Prayer for Vengeance, My Kind of Trouble), Mallory Marlowe (Love and Other Conspiracies, Love at First Sighting), Shelly Page (Brewed with Love, Charmed and Dangerous), Megan Jauregui Eccles (Sing the Night), Justine Pucella Winans (How to Survive a Slasher, Your Boyfriend Needs an Exorcist), and Gretchen Schreiber (All the Stars Align, Ellie Haycock Is Totally Normal) discuss their newest and most anticipated books.

Saturday March 28, 2026 4:00pm - 5:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Books, Horror and Suspense, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

5:00pm PDT

The Business of Animation Careers: Agents, Managers, Lawyers and How Creators Build Teams

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

Behind every successful animation career is not just artistic talent, but a smart professional team helping navigate opportunities, contracts, and long-term growth. Talent manager Sam Goff joins her clients—Malia Jennings (Iyanu, Charlotte and Buckingham Park), Karen Drastal (Maxxie LaWow), Sam King (DuckTales, Overwatch), and John Rauschelbach (Outer Scouts)—to break down what agents, managers, and entertainment attorneys actually do, how they work together, and what that means for creators. Through real-world experiences, the panel demystifies representation and talks about when it makes sense to build a team and how to approach it strategically.

Saturday March 28, 2026 5:00pm - 6:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Animation, Seminars & Workshops

6:00pm PDT

Career Paths into Game Development

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT

As the business of video games now surpasses the annual revenues of both film and music combined, public interest in pursuing a career in the game industry has staggeringly increased in recent years. This has spawned a wide variety of educational and vocational options for individuals to pursue game development, but how exactly can someone get the knowledge they need and then find a job in this very competitive industry? Veteran game industry professionals discuss what it takes to launch a game development career and how there are many paths into the industry.

Saturday March 28, 2026 6:00pm - 7:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Games, Video Games

7:00pm PDT

How Video Game Films Git Gud

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT

There was once a time when fans would hear of a video game being adapted into another medium and forums would be ablaze with skepticism, jeers, and outright doubt. But with adaptations like Super Mario Bros., The Last of Us, and Sonic the Hedgehog filling theater seats, what has led to the change in fan perspectives? Derick McDuff (host of Underrated Movie Podcast), is joined by Tricia Aurand (award-winning screenwriter and podcast host), Thomas Craig (podcast host of Sick Burn Podcast), Kurosh Jozavi (games journalist and host of Savepoint Stories), Austin Olivia Kendrick (Emmy-nominated film/TV sound editor), and Jeremy "Jaymo" Strauss, (host of The Old Switcharoo) to address the fall and rise of video game adaptations, the tangible creative changes made to the adaptation process, and the growing trust fans are putting back into this industry.

Saturday March 28, 2026 7:00pm - 8:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Animation, Education, Fandom, Games, Historical, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Video Games, Web

8:00pm PDT

The Psychological Journey of The Lord of the Rings

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT

The Lord of the Rings is an epic, high-fantasy tale that centers on fellowship, bravery, and good against evil. What does Aragorn's reluctance to become king say about him? Does the One Ring symbolize addiction? Does Gollum have multiple identities? How (and why) does fantasy storytelling improve mental health? Media psychologist Drea Letamendi, Ph.D. (The Arkham Sessions, UCLA), Miranda (host, Tolkien Tuesdays), and Todd Stashwick (actor, Marvel's VisionQuest; co-founder, ProgCore Fantasy) explore and explain the psychology of Middle-earth's riveting and unforgettable characters—both from the page and on-screen. Moderated by Brian Ward (The Arkham Sessions).

Saturday March 28, 2026 8:00pm - 9:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, Books, Education, Fandom, Movies, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Television, Writers & Writing

9:00pm PDT

Psychology of Horror

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT

Why do we pay to be terrified? From the nostalgic chills of Nightmare on Elm Street to the modern-day blockbuster of Stranger Things to the sinister streets of Derry, the horror genre has captivated audiences on the big and small screens alike since even before the penny dreadfuls. From Frankenstein's gothic angst to the moral shadows of Sinners, horror keeps us coming back for more. This panel rips the mask off fear to reveal what is underneath: how monsters mirror cultural anxieties and why horror thrives when the world feels uncertain. Expect jump-scare science, pop culture deep dives, and a few surprises that will make attendees rethink what is lurking in the dark. Featuring Dr. April Fugett (executive director, Center for Teaching and Learning, Marshall University), Dr. Britani Black (assistant professor of psychology, Marshall University), and Dr. Keith W. Beard (professor of psychology, Marshall University). Ready to face your fears? They promise . . . probably . . . nothing will follow you home.

Saturday March 28, 2026 9:00pm - 10:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Books, Education, Fandom, Horror and Suspense, Movies, Television

11:00am PDT

Supporting Women's Rights (and Wrongs!) in Comics

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT

Comic book history is filled with both heroic and destructive women building memorable pop culture moments, from Harley Quinn's crime sprees to the Phoenix Force destroying entire civilizations, as fans have enjoyed the power of women for decades. But at the end of the day, we're all just girls supporting girls, right? . . . Right? Author and host of Lady Comic Book History Alexandrea Callaghan is joined by Alix Catherine (podcast and livestream host, The Welcome Party), Tamara Brooks (contributor and comics expert, DCComics.com, BBC Radio), Sabeen Faheem (actor, cosplayer, entertainment host), and Magical Girl Marina (fandom and cosplay content creator) for an entertaining and humorous conversation on iconic storylines in women's comics history, tropes in women's power fantasies, and why it is important to support women's rights (and wrongs!).

Sunday March 29, 2026 11:00am - 12:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Animation, BIPOC, Books, Comics, Education, Fandom, Historical, Humor & Satire, LGBTQIA+, Podcasts, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Superheroes, Television, Web, Writers & Writing

12:00pm PDT

Building Tiny Droids for Love and Learning

Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT

This session introduces why small 3D-printed droids are an ideal starting project for droid builders of all ages. Panelists cover the basics of 3D printing, simple electronics, radio controllers, and painting—the skills needed to get tiny droids moving right along. These projects are well suited for STEAM school assignments or for taking to conventions everywhere. Presenters are Matt Greenberg and Anastasia Hunter.

Sunday March 29, 2026 12:00pm - 1:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Costuming, Technology - Science - STEM

1:00pm PDT

Set Decoration for Puppets

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

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

2:00pm PDT

Not All Solutions Are Good Ones

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

Authors Falon Ballard (Something Wicked), Nikki Erlick (The Poppy Fields), Petra Lord (Queen of Faces), Serra Swift (Kill the Beast), and Kiersten White (The Fox and the Devil) discuss crafting fictional challenges and their accompanying responses with Maryelizabeth Yturralde. Enjoy a lively exploration of how solutions like Science! Magic! Kissing! Stabbing! Kissing with Stabbing! can be beneficial and/or detrimental to the characters.

Sunday March 29, 2026 2:00pm - 3:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Action/Adventure, Books, Historical, LGBTQIA+, Science Fiction & Fantasy, Writers & Writing

3:00pm PDT

Production to Distribution: Thinking Outside the Box

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT

Susan Spohr (postproduction supervisor, associate producer, author), Valerie Lettera-Spletzer (DreamWorks Animation; animator, content creator), Angela Oh (actress, director, executive producer, UDriveMe TV), Kimleigh Smith (Embrace Your Cape; voiceover artist, actress), and Victoria Blake (Seismic Releasing, distributor) talk about the latest developments in the industry, from developing and producing projects to finding creative approaches to distribution and navigating the production process. Moderated by Dustin Quick (actress, filmmaker).

Sunday March 29, 2026 3:00pm - 4:00pm PDT
Room 300A

1: Programs, Animation, Television

4:00pm PDT

Story Artists Unleashed!

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

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