Several CalArts alumni and a School of Film/Video faculty member will take part in San Diego Comic-Con, the premier event for all things comics and related popular art, which runs today, Wednesday, July 22, through Sunday, July 26, at the San Diego Convention Center and surrounding venues.
Check out a running list* of CalArtians participating at San Diego Comic-Con:
Filmmaker Brad Bird (Film/Video 76) takes the Hall H stage Thursday evening for “Brad Bird: My Cinematic Journey,” a wide-ranging conversation about the Academy Award-winning director’s career, creative process, and upcoming Skydance Animation and Netflix feature, Ray Gunn.
On Friday, two CalArts animation alums revisit shows they helped bring to life. J.G. Quintel (Film/Video BFA 05) joins members of the creative team behind Regular Show for “Regular Show: The Lost Tapes,” featuring behind-the-scenes stories and updates on the series. Later that day, Lauren Faust (Film/Video 95), creator of My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, leads “My Little Pony: A Celebration of Friendship,” exploring the franchise’s legacy and what lies ahead.
Also on Friday, three CalArts alums Jeff Ranjo (Film/Video BFA 94), Ricky Nierva (Film/Video BFA 94), and Justin Parpan (Film/Video BFA 06) will participate in San Diego Kids to Hollywood Artists, a panel of native San Diegans who have made it big in publishing and Hollywood discusses their paths, the skills they learned along the way, and what it takes to make it today.
Animator Arius Ziaee (Film/Video BFA 22), will also be a part of a Friday panel, Silver Lake Shorts: Championing Independent Animation through Community Organization.
CalArts Character Animation faculty member and animation historian Jerry Beck appears on three panels. He joins “Animation History with Jerry and Mark” and presents the 21st annual edition of “Worst Cartoons Ever!” on Thursday, followed by “Why Do Saturday Morning Cartoons Still Matter and How Are They Shaping the Next Generation?” on Saturday.
On Sunday, talent agent Melissa Berger Brennan (Theater MFA 86) will participate in the Business of Cartoon Voices panel.
Recently featured on 24700 for his FÚTBOL! FÚTBOL!! FÚTBOL!!! exhibition in Los Angeles, Jorge R. Gutiérrez (Film/Video BFA 97, MFA 00) also appears Saturday for a discussion featuring Hispanic comic book creators and artists and for signings. He will also moderate “Rey Mysterio vs. The Darkness: From Screen to Comics.”
Visit the Comic-Con 2026 schedule for complete event details and updates.
*If you are a CalArtian who’s been omitted from this list, please let us know by emailing communications@calarts.edu.
