2024 Panels and Events

Please note all panels and timings are subject to change.

Room 201 (2nd Floor)

12:00 – 1:00 Manga Translation with Amber Tamosaitis
Join professional manga translator Amber Tamosaitis for a discussion on manga, the process of translating it for an English-speaking audience, working in the industry, how to find your next favorite read, and more. Find out more about Amber and her current projects at https://ambtam.com

1:10 – 2:10 Anime Name That Tune!
Are you an expert on anime and anime adjacent songs? Test your knowledge or find a new favorite in our Anime Name That Tune! Audience members will compete 1v1 and first to guess from the clip will receive a prize from Generation Otaku! BONUS: Audience members can see clips from the show the song is from and get to know new series!

Room 202 (2nd Floor)

11:15 – 12:15 Are Bigfoot Real? Delving into the Phenomenon
Join the Bigfoot Influencers as they discuss topics such as: The history of the subject, how and when the accounts stories started. Diving into the evidence - eyewitnesses and physical evidence. What are witnesses seeing and experiencing? Where do we see Bigfoot? And more! Plus stick around for a Q&A. Find out more about the The Bigfoot Influencers, their book, podcast, and beyond: https://thebigfootinfluencers.com/

12:50 – 1:50 What is a Makerspace?
You may have heard the term "makerspace" before, you may even have one at your school/library but do you know what it is? Come join members of Nova Labs as they discuss how they utilize their makerspace which includes 3d printing, laser cutters, woodworking, blacksmithing and more.

2:00 – 3:00 Character Design For Beginners
Whether you’ve never done character design or have some that need tweaking, this is the panel for you! Rosecat breaks down industry concepts into an easy step-by-step guide!

Room 203 (2nd Floor)

10:45 – 11:45 Meet the 501st Legion, Old Line Garrison
The 501st Legion is the world's largest Star Wars costuming club! Come meet some of our members and learn about how you could join up. We'll cover crafting a costume, fantastic events where we are deployed, and we'll discuss the charitable work we do. Don't miss this opportunity to learn more about the 501st and how you could be a part of it!

12:10 – 1:10 Dynamic Layouts with Dr. Elvin A. Hernandez
Want to create an exciting scene... but don't know where to start? Join Dr. Elvin A. Hernandez from the University of Maryland Eastern Shore's Fine Arts department as he takes you through techniques and practices towards creating exciting layouts! If you are interested in illustration, comics or animation... this panel is for you!

1:40 – 2:40 When Writer Meets Artist with Rod Van Blake & JP Jackson Arts
When Writer Meets Artist is a panel/workshop where author Rod Van Blake and artist Jordan Purnell Jackson describe the culmination of their working relationship along with the pitfalls when two creatives endeavor to collaborate. There are many factors that can contribute to having a good or bad working relationship. These factors vary from creative differences to potential obstacles with business relationships outside of the creative sphere. Mr. Van Blake and Mr. Jackson will highlight some of these to help aspiring writers and artists who desire to seek out other creatives to team up with on projects. Presented by Artway Alliance.

Room 204 (2nd Floor)

11:30 – 12:30 Loading Snacks Presents: Top 10 Animated Disney Villains of All Time
The Loading Snacks Team is crafting the quintessential top 10 Animated Disney Villains of All Time list and we want YOUR help to do it. Who's the greatest villain in all of Disney's traditional animation? Well, that remains to be seen but you're responsible for how the list turns out. Put a show anywhere in the top 10. Don't like someone else's choice? Challenge them to Rock, Paper, Scissors to block their move but be careful, losing means facing the Bean Boozled Challenge! Come put your 2 cents in and help us create the definitive list of the greatest Disney Villains to ever vile!

1:00 – 2:00 Can You Survive???
Strategies for living through a sci-fi disaster. Do you have what it takes to survive in a postapocalyptic world? Join us for this educational game show testing your postapocalyptic survival skills and knowledge. Will you survive? Come find out! Bring your friends and compete for prizes or just watch the competition. This fantastic, fun, and educational event is brought to you by Salisbury University's Henson School of Science and Technology. Note: Survival is required during this event to win prizes.

Room 205

11:00 – 12:00 TBA
12:30 – 1:30 Cosplay and Mental Health
Embark on a transformative journey of mental well-being with, 'Cosplay and Mental Health: Love What you Do .' Led by Rebecca Hawk, a veteran cosplayer and mental health advocate, this panel is a safe space for cosplayers to explore practical strategies for avoiding burnout, practicing self-care, and navigating the challenges of social media.

Room 206 (2nd Floor)

Ocean City Film Fest Screening Room
The Ocean City Film Festival is Ocean City’s first and only film festival that celebrates independent filmmakers from near and far. Founded in 2017, the festival continues to deliver an original program of films year after year. Content is NOT rated by MPAA and viewer discretion is advised. Learn more at OCMDFilmFestival.com
12:00PM: The 2024 Ocean City Film Challenge. 70 minutes approx.
The Ocean City Film Challenge is the OCFF’s annual summer contest for people to make a short film in or about Ocean City. Applicants are automatically featured in the annual OCFF and contestants are eligible for cash prizes and bragging rights!

Go Long
Directed by Davis Mears. Two friends play catch on the beach that leads to a near death experience. 7 minutes.

Thirsty
Directed by Josh Vine. A man’s struggle with desire and despair. 1 minute.

Why Not?
Directed by Douglas M. Armstrong and Joan L. Floyd. He needs a break and a bucket of donuts. She wants to plan their next project. They’ve come to the right place. 10 minutes.

Shoreside News
Directed by Myah Stokes. Shoreside News involves puppetry characters that were in the short film, The Ballad of Pop and Corn. This film focuses on the story of a woman named Kara Mell who is obsessed with Fisher's Popcorn. When she runs out of popcorn, she searches throughout Ocean City to find a container of Fishers that vanished in front of her own eyes. She finds it, however, it is not what she expects. 4 minutes.

Dating in 2024
Directed by Jesse. Jesse is an ordinary human that basically lives in a car. After chatting with LayLadyLegsXoXo on the interwebs, they agree to meet for a day at the beach in Ocean City, MD. Jesse will use every trick in the acrobatic playbook to win the heart of a woman who was really never there. This human centered love story explores what one will do when trying to find a life partner. No wonder she keeps choosing the bear. 15 minutes.

Swedish Fish
Directed by Fiona O’Brien and Zoe Couloumbis. Two fish from Sweden journey across the Atlantic Ocean washing up on Ocean City's sand. New to America, they experience the marvels of Ocean City while missing home. The fish friends stumble upon a Candy Kitchen and notice a popular candy being sold, "Swedish Fish", which sends them running back to the water. 3 minutes. (1st Place)

Staring Contest
Directed by Jackson Dutton. In Ocean City, Maryland, there is a Staring Contest League. The reigning, defending, undisputed champion is Big Poppa Stare! Big Poppa Stare has run through every stare contestant in town and has become so bored with the weak competition, that he has opened a title shot to anyone who dares to accept. Who will accept this challenge? Will Big Poppa Stare retain his beloved title? You won’t want to miss this exhilarating, action-packed night! 5 minutes.

Ocean VS Bay
Directed by Marlon Wallace. Two young men battle over which part of Ocean City, Maryland, is better, the oceanside or the bayside. From the Atlantic to the Assawoman, the fight has been for bragging rights, but a young tourist gets in the middle and ends up inflaming the two rivals to determine once and for all which side should be on top. 13 minutes. (3rd Place)

The Boardwalk
Directed by Erik Espinosa. Spending his golden years floating by the pier of the now-quiet Ocean City Boardwalk, an old man devotes his time to picking up discarded trash. In a small boat carried and swayed by the sea, the man picks up after debris and discarded objects in honor of what he has known and loved. He is surprised when he unearths more than what he bargained for by one little piece of plastic. 6 minutes.

The Ocean City Summer Heat Drones On
Directed by Thomas Taylor. Ocean City Heat Drones On is a fun story about a beach town during summer, where some drones unexpectedly come to life. Amidst the hustle and bustle of vacationers, these drones add a bit of chaos and humor, showing how technology can surprise us. It’s all about finding creative ways to beat the heat and enjoy the sunny days. 3 minutes. (2nd Place)

2:00PM: OCFF 2024 Horror, Sci-Fi and the Weird Showcase 127 minutes approx.
This is a specially curated selection of strange films for strange people. Horrifying to some, humorous to others, and a truly unique showcase!

Marbles
Directed by Robert Hamilton. A record store clerk plays a mysterious vinyl record and unwittingly unleashes the spirit of a homicidal musician hellbent on killing her with the very thing she loves most... music. 15 minutes.

Midnight Oil
Directed by Trevor Taylor. A detective hunts down a mysterious killer through a series of dreams and memories. Shot entirely on a 1989 VHS Camcorder. 9 minutes. Salisbury, MD United States.

Personalized Futures
Directed by Max Delfino. In a future in which a personalized algorithm decides which major students have to pick, Kate, an econ major with an artistic calling, is faced with the choice of trusting the system or trying to subvert it from within. 10 minutes. Chicago, IL United States.

The Metamorph
Directed by Maximilian Remmler. A child shapeshifter longs for a best friend, but their involuntary form changes leave them unrecognizable to any friends they do make. Tyler has struggled to control their morphing abilities their entire 9-year-old life. Unable to be recognized by anyone they knew prior, they reside alone near a public park. They meet a boy named Sam, hoping to form a friendship with him that won't end as soon as they transform again. 12 minutes. Wilmington, DE United States.

Three Ninety Five
Directed by Nicholas Thurkettle. The world has gone quiet. With no home and no memory, a nameless traveler searches for fellow survivors along a remote highway. 7 minutes. Huntington Beach, CA United States.

Familiar
Directed by Rebecca Mlinek. A groundskeeper vies against her accomplished brother for control of her house, until a mysterious cat appears to tip the balance. 18 minutes. Upperco, MD United States.

Red Yellow Blue
Directed by Julia E. Cooke. A girl gets haunted by her own demons as we follow her through her colorful, surreal, bizarre descent into insanity. 19 minutes. Baltimore, MD United States.

The Boog
Directed by Brian Wild. The Boog is snot your average horror tale, it's a kid-friendly monster movie partially inspired by the pandemic, celebrating the heroic efforts of everyday families facing a new kind of horror. 7 minutes.

Ray of Sunshine
Directed by Tyler Jennings, Jon Kemmerer. The year is 1999. Ray (16), along with his adopted siblings Anna (16), and Florence (11), lives with their abusive foster parents, Miranda and Father. After years of trauma and turmoil, the kids have had enough. They soon embrace a dark and supernatural force to give them all they need. 31 minutes.

Room 215 (2nd Floor)

10:30 Saber Guild: Adult Lightsaber Training
Ages: 15 - and up
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 10
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
In the Adult Intro to Lightsaber Choreography class, participants will experience an introductory course to learn the basics of wielding a Lightsaber. Saber Guild’s seasoned members will demonstrate a variety of movements and techniques used when learning lightsaber combat choreography. Along with these skills, participants get acquainted with how to use a stunt Lightsaber, handle it safely, and how to work safely with a partner. Participants will learn three established sets that we use in our regular performances and a Force Move. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create a “show off” opportunity for their Lightsaber training archives.

1:45 Saber Guild: Kids Lightsaber Training
Ages: 6-14
Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Participants: 20
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
The younglings will take their first steps into a larger world during this introductory course to Lightsabers and the Force. Saber Guild’s elite Jedi will demonstrate their skills before introducing the younglings to the Force and guiding them through the first form of Lightsaber combat: Shii-Cho. Once the younglings understand this form, the instructors will teach them how to use their lightsaber for defense, showing them basic dodges, blocks, and Force moves to protect themselves from the Empire or the First Order. The younglings might have the chance to use what they have learned against Saber Guild’s Sith. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create photo opportunities for parents including a class photo and the younglings will receive a certificate for their studies in Lightsaber training.

2:45 AM Saber Guild: Kids Lightsaber Training
Ages: 6-14
Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Participants: 20
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
(description above)

3:45 PM Saber Guild: Adult Lightsaber Training
Ages: 15 - and up
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 10
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
(description above)

Room 217 (2nd Floor)

12:00 – 2:00 Super Art Fight
SUPER ART FIGHT IS THE GREATEST LIVE ART COMPETITION IN THE KNOWN UNIVERSE. Created in 2008 in Baltimore, Maryland by artists Jamie Noguchi and Nick DiFabbio, SAF has grown over the past decade into an absolutely can't miss live event, mixing elements of pro-wrestling styled storytelling and character work, live art, and improvised humor.
To date, Super Art Fight has produced hundreds of live events, including shows across the United States and into Canada; appearances at such big conventions as Otakon, Anime Expo, MAGFest, and Awesome Con; features in the pages of The Washington Post, The Baltimore Sun, and Wired; and regular engagements at such legendary rock-and-roll venues as Baltimore's Ottobar and Washington DC's The Black Cat.
Want to see artists collide in one-on-one or tag-team action? Can they stand tall against the ridiculous topics from the crowd-sourced Wheel of Death? Are you ready to cheer your favorites on to victory?
There's only one way to get started...
3-2-1...ART FIGHT!

Bayfront Ballroom (2nd Floor)

12:00 Saber Guild Lightsaber Stage Performance
Time: 30-60 minutes The combined Saber Guild temples of the Northeast United States present a production made just for The 2021 Ocean City Comic Con. Saber Guild is a non-profit, all-volunteer, international organization that specializes in lightsaber stage choreography and education. Don't miss this spectacular lightsaber performance which is perfect for Star Wars fans of all ages.

3:00 Kids & Adults Cosplay Contest

Room 201 (2nd Floor)

1:00 – 2:00 Manga for Parents, Teachers, and Librarians
Is your child interested in manga, but you have no experience with it? Have patrons asked for manga to be added to your library but you’re not sure where to place it? Join professional manga translator Amber Tamosaitis for a primer on manga, different genres and types, how content varies across manga published in the US, considerations when evaluating manga, and more. Find out more about Amber and her current projects at https://ambtam.com

Room 202 (2nd Floor)

12:15 – 1:15 Character Design 101
Create compelling, original characters using archetypes and design elements such as shadows and line with tips and techniques from Bryan "Kaiser" TIllman. Bryan bridges the gap between the technique of drawing characters and the theory of good character design with examples of professional art, and literary and pop culture references to teach you how to develop a character, not just draw one. Bryan will break down established character archetypes to show you why and how the different aspects of good character design work.

1:40 – 2:40 Loading Snacks Presents: Being Comfortable Being a Geek with Special Guest Lainey Cat
Are you comfortable being your natural geeky self? How can we help each other be more comfortable being who we are? This panel will open the discussion on the definition of "geek" and how it has changed in recent years. We will discuss how our level of comfort with this and other labels has changed as more obscure pastimes such as reading comic books/ manga, playing video games and watching anime has bled over into the mainstream. This is a discussion. Let's share our stories and empower each other to be comfortable as we are!

Room 203 (2nd Floor)

11:35 – 12:35 Making Comics (Comic Book Writing & Art Tutorial)
Join Artist and Educator Bradley Hudson of the University of Maryland Eastern Shore and Editor Joseph Rybandt of Dynamite Entertainment as they discuss all aspects of working in comics and show you how comic books and comic book pages are put together, including: layout, story flow, and specific panels from a real comic book script.

1:10 – 2:10 Courage Through Cosplay:
A discussion on how cosplay can help individuals with anxiety, explore identity, self and character expression, while building confidence in themselves and their craft. Hosted by Cosplay Mutt.

Room 204 (2nd Floor)

12:30 – 1:30 So You Want to be a Writer 2024: Writing Across Genres
Presented by: John L. French Science Fiction, Fantasy, Horror, Detective Fiction, Westerns, Romance — Many authors find a genre they like and stick with. They write romance, thrillers, steampunk, or cozy crime stories. It’s comfortable for them, knowing the rules allows them to concentrate on their stories. But what if you want to mix things up? What about a murder that takes place in Castle Dracula? Or Lovecraft’s mythos creatures showing up in Dodge City? Or Mars invading Earth in the middle of World War I? There are great benefits in crossing genres. The main one is that it gives you a chance to step out of your comfort zone and do something different and your work may appeal to more readers. But there are pitfalls as well. You have more things you have to get right and your chances of getting things wrong are doubled. Join Award winning writer John L. French (Pulp Factory’s Best Pulp Story 2021, DC’s Baldy Award) at 2024’s Ocean City Comic Con to learn what you have to know and do when you decide to write in two worlds at once.

1:50 – 2:50 Sequential Art & Design: Pokemon edition!
Join UMES Professor and artist Elvin Hernadez for this kid-friendly panel. Elvin will explore the creative process, methods, and the art of storytelling from one panel to the next in the comic and manga medium of sequential art. You gotta catch this panel! Presented by Artway Alliance. (Sunday)

Room 205 (2nd Floor)

Yu-Gi-Oh! Tournament
Details Here

Room 206 (2nd Floor)

Ocean City Film Fest Screening Room
The Ocean City Film Festival is Ocean City’s first and only film festival that celebrates independent filmmakers from near and far. Founded in 2017, the festival continues to deliver an original program of films year after year. Content is NOT rated by MPAA and viewer discretion is advised. Learn more at OCMDFilmFestival.com
11:30AM: The 2024 Ocean City Film Challenge. 70 minutes approx.
The Ocean City Film Challenge is the OCFF’s annual summer contest for people to make a short film in or about Ocean City. Applicants are automatically featured in the annual OCFF and contestants are eligible for cash prizes and bragging rights!

Go Long
Directed by Davis Mears. Two friends play catch on the beach that leads to a near death experience. 7 minutes.

Thirsty
Directed by Josh Vine. A man’s struggle with desire and despair. 1 minute.

Why Not?
Directed by Douglas M. Armstrong and Joan L. Floyd. He needs a break and a bucket of donuts. She wants to plan their next project. They’ve come to the right place. 10 minutes.

Shoreside News
Directed by Myah Stokes. Shoreside News involves puppetry characters that were in the short film, The Ballad of Pop and Corn. This film focuses on the story of a woman named Kara Mell who is obsessed with Fisher's Popcorn. When she runs out of popcorn, she searches throughout Ocean City to find a container of Fishers that vanished in front of her own eyes. She finds it, however, it is not what she expects. 4 minutes.

Dating in 2024
Directed by Jesse. Jesse is an ordinary human that basically lives in a car. After chatting with LayLadyLegsXoXo on the interwebs, they agree to meet for a day at the beach in Ocean City, MD. Jesse will use every trick in the acrobatic playbook to win the heart of a woman who was really never there. This human centered love story explores what one will do when trying to find a life partner. No wonder she keeps choosing the bear. 15 minutes.

Swedish Fish
Directed by Fiona O’Brien and Zoe Couloumbis. Two fish from Sweden journey across the Atlantic Ocean washing up on Ocean City's sand. New to America, they experience the marvels of Ocean City while missing home. The fish friends stumble upon a Candy Kitchen and notice a popular candy being sold, "Swedish Fish", which sends them running back to the water. 3 minutes. (1st Place)

Staring Contest
Directed by Jackson Dutton. In Ocean City, Maryland, there is a Staring Contest League. The reigning, defending, undisputed champion is Big Poppa Stare! Big Poppa Stare has run through every stare contestant in town and has become so bored with the weak competition, that he has opened a title shot to anyone who dares to accept. Who will accept this challenge? Will Big Poppa Stare retain his beloved title? You won’t want to miss this exhilarating, action-packed night! 5 minutes.

Ocean VS Bay
Directed by Marlon Wallace. Two young men battle over which part of Ocean City, Maryland, is better, the oceanside or the bayside. From the Atlantic to the Assawoman, the fight has been for bragging rights, but a young tourist gets in the middle and ends up inflaming the two rivals to determine once and for all which side should be on top. 13 minutes. (3rd Place)

The Boardwalk
Directed by Erik Espinosa. Spending his golden years floating by the pier of the now-quiet Ocean City Boardwalk, an old man devotes his time to picking up discarded trash. In a small boat carried and swayed by the sea, the man picks up after debris and discarded objects in honor of what he has known and loved. He is surprised when he unearths more than what he bargained for by one little piece of plastic. 6 minutes.

The Ocean City Summer Heat Drones On
Directed by Thomas Taylor. Ocean City Heat Drones On is a fun story about a beach town during summer, where some drones unexpectedly come to life. Amidst the hustle and bustle of vacationers, these drones add a bit of chaos and humor, showing how technology can surprise us. It’s all about finding creative ways to beat the heat and enjoy the sunny days. 3 minutes. (2nd Place)

1:00PM: OCFF 2024 Horror, Sci-Fi and the Weird Showcase 127 minutes approx.
This is a specially curated selection of strange films for strange people. Horrifying to some, humorous to others, and a truly unique showcase!

Marbles
Directed by Robert Hamilton. A record store clerk plays a mysterious vinyl record and unwittingly unleashes the spirit of a homicidal musician hellbent on killing her with the very thing she loves most... music. 15 minutes.

Midnight Oil
Directed by Trevor Taylor. A detective hunts down a mysterious killer through a series of dreams and memories. Shot entirely on a 1989 VHS Camcorder. 9 minutes. Salisbury, MD United States.

Personalized Futures
Directed by Max Delfino. In a future in which a personalized algorithm decides which major students have to pick, Kate, an econ major with an artistic calling, is faced with the choice of trusting the system or trying to subvert it from within. 10 minutes. Chicago, IL United States.

The Metamorph
Directed by Maximilian Remmler. A child shapeshifter longs for a best friend, but their involuntary form changes leave them unrecognizable to any friends they do make. Tyler has struggled to control their morphing abilities their entire 9-year-old life. Unable to be recognized by anyone they knew prior, they reside alone near a public park. They meet a boy named Sam, hoping to form a friendship with him that won't end as soon as they transform again. 12 minutes. Wilmington, DE United States.

Three Ninety Five
Directed by Nicholas Thurkettle. The world has gone quiet. With no home and no memory, a nameless traveler searches for fellow survivors along a remote highway. 7 minutes. Huntington Beach, CA United States.

Familiar
Directed by Rebecca Mlinek. A groundskeeper vies against her accomplished brother for control of her house, until a mysterious cat appears to tip the balance. 18 minutes. Upperco, MD United States.

Red Yellow Blue
Directed by Julia E. Cooke. A girl gets haunted by her own demons as we follow her through her colorful, surreal, bizarre descent into insanity. 19 minutes. Baltimore, MD United States.

The Boog
Directed by Brian Wild. The Boog is snot your average horror tale, it's a kid-friendly monster movie partially inspired by the pandemic, celebrating the heroic efforts of everyday families facing a new kind of horror. 7 minutes.

Ray of Sunshine
Directed by Tyler Jennings, Jon Kemmerer. The year is 1999. Ray (16), along with his adopted siblings Anna (16), and Florence (11), lives with their abusive foster parents, Miranda and Father. After years of trauma and turmoil, the kids have had enough. They soon embrace a dark and supernatural force to give them all they need. 31 minutes.

Room 215 (2nd Floor)

11:30 Saber Guild: Adult Lightsaber Training
Ages: 15 - and up
Time: 20 - 30 minutes
Number of Participants: 10
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
In the Adult Intro to Lightsaber Choreography class, participants will experience an introductory course to learn the basics of wielding a Lightsaber. Saber Guild’s seasoned members will demonstrate a variety of movements and techniques used when learning lightsaber combat choreography. Along with these skills, participants get acquainted with how to use a stunt Lightsaber, handle it safely, and how to work safely with a partner. Participants will learn three established sets that we use in our regular performances and a Force Move. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create a “show off” opportunity for their Lightsaber training archives.

12:30 Saber Guild: Kids Lightsaber Training
Ages: 6-14
Time: 20-25 minutes
Number of Participants: 20
Lightsabers for use in the class will be provided
The younglings will take their first steps into a larger world during this introductory course to Lightsabers and the Force. Saber Guild’s elite Jedi will demonstrate their skills before introducing the younglings to the Force and guiding them through the first form of Lightsaber combat: Shii-Cho. Once the younglings understand this form, the instructors will teach them how to use their lightsaber for defense, showing them basic dodges, blocks, and Force moves to protect themselves from the Empire or the First Order. The younglings might have the chance to use what they have learned against Saber Guild’s Sith. At the conclusion of this training class, we will create photo opportunities for parents including a class photo and the younglings will receive a certificate for their studies in Lightsaber training.

Bayfront Ballroom (2nd Floor)

3:00 Group Cosplay Contest