Events
DEN OF GEEK LINEUP AT SDCC 2023
Den of Geek, a global pop culture media company, is pleased to return to San Diego with an increased presence at the epicenter of fandom, Comic-Con International, and reveal the brand’s latest magazine cover star: Anthony Mackie. The star of Peacock’s Twisted Metal, produced by Sony Pictures Television and PlayStation Productions, gives an exclusive interview about the post-apocalyptic action comedy series alongside co-stars Stephanie Beatriz and Will Arnett. The first-look at the video game adaptation is just one of the exclusive features that pop culture obsessives will by clamoring to get their hands on. The magazine is only the beginning of what Den of Geek has in store for Comic-Con 2023.
Den of Geek will have its largest presence ever on the ground in San Diego from July 19-July 23, with an interview studio at the Hilton San Diego Bayfront, four invite-only events with premier partners, and their brand ambassador team distributing free copies of the latest quarterly issue of Den of Geek Magazine. Beyond an exclusive look at Twisted Metal, readers will be delighted to find the 2023 TV Preview, featuring looks at the John Wick spin-off series The Continental, Disney+’s Ahsoka, and the TV adaptation of Seth MacFarlane’s Ted. Movie fans will also get in-depth looks at Christopher Nolan’s Oppenheimer and Neill Blomkamp’s unique adaptation of Gran Turismo. There’s truly something for everyone, with spotlights on comics, video games, collectibles, and more.
Bundled with the Den of Geek quarterly magazine will be an exclusive special edition celebrating Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Mutant Mayhem. Our in-depth look at the highly-anticipated animated film features interviews with the core teenage stars voicing the iconic turtles, superstars voicing their rogues gallery, director Jeff Rowe, and executive producer Seth Rogen. Interviews for both issues were conducted in June 2023.
For fans who are unable to attend San Diego Comic-Con but wish to secure a copy of the latest issue can pick one up at our network of comic shops nationwide. Find one near you here.
During Comic-Con weekend, the Den of Geek Studio, presented in partnership with eBay, will host interviews and photo portraits at the Hilton Bayfront with the biggest stars attending the convention to capture coverage of Comic-Con from every angle.
See below for the full list of Den of Geek events and panels at Comic-Con International 2023.
Den of Geek Comic-Con Events
In partnership with Project K, one of the most awaited Indian sci-fi films, join Den of Geek as we kick off another epic convention with out-of-this world food, cosmic cocktails and stellar surprises at our opening night party, Spice Punk. The invite-only party takes place Wednesday, July 19, 8-11pm at the Horton Grand Hotel Courtyard.
If you’re looking for rooftop vibes, Den of Geek is partnering with Funko Games for their invite-only Rooftop Tabletop event Thursday July 20th from 3-6pm at SkyBox at Diamondview. The event will feature games, drinks, snacks, swag, prizes and more from the stunning rooftop terrace of SkyBox. Plus fans 21+ can sip on custom Den of Geek and Funko Games branded craft beers courtesy of San Diego’s Mission Brewery.
In partnership with Gala Games, the leader in web3 entertainment, join Den of Geek to delve into the world of blockchain games and get an exclusive look at some of the most highly anticipated titles. The event will feature tacos, beer, and lots of good vibes. The activation is free and open to the public from Thursday July 20th from 2-6pm, Friday July 21st from 12-4pm, and Saturday July 22nd from 12-4pm at Mission Brewery. Gala Games and Den of Geek will be hosting a special VIP, invite-only event on Friday, July 21st from 6-11pm.
Den of Geek is also partnering with National Geographic for their annual Comic-Con Lounge. Celebrating all things adventure, the party will feature cocktails, great eats, appearances from Bertie Gregory and Jeff Jenkins, and exclusive, Instagram-worthy looks at Nat Geo’s new shows. RSVP for the Lounge here and come hang out Saturday, July 22 from 5-8pm at Margaritaville.
Den of Geek Moderated Panels
Ghosts
Thursday, July 20 12:45-1:45, Ballroom 20
A Ghosts ‘fan-ily’ reunion at the San Diego Convention Center. The event will be hosted by TV host, journalist, Talking Strange podcast (Den of Geek Network) host Aaron Sagers and will treat fans to a ‘lively’ debate with fans on just who got ‘sucked off’ in this year’s cliffhanger, plus surprises specific to this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. The presentation will also screen the season two finale, a video featurette showcasing the past two seasons, and an exclusive SDCC behind-the-scenes presentation from CBS Sunday Morning, which was on-set earlier this year.
Den of Geek and Roddenberry Entertainment Presents: Does it Fly
Friday, July 21 – 11:30 – 12:30, Room 29CD
What would it take to make Spider-Man’s web-shooters a reality? Is there a real-world “invisibility cloak” from the world of Harry Potter? Is Star Trek’s replicator truly feasible? Roddenberry Entertainment, originators of modern-day fandom, is joining forces with Den of Geek to put your favorite sci-fi and fantasy concepts on trial! Come join these two entertainment juggernauts for a live episode of Does It Fly?—a new weekly podcast hosted by Hakeem Oluseyi (Nova, Outrageous Acts of Science) and Tamara Krinsky (Tomorrow’s World Today, Marvel LIVE! Red Carpet broadcasts) to see whether movie magic flies or crashes and burns. Get your burning questions ready, prepare to argue over your favorite properties, and maybe even win fun giveaways. Hosted by Scott Mantz (Variety, Enterprise Incidents with Scott and Steve).
Fortune and Glory: Visualizing Indiana Jones 5

Saturday, July 22 11:30 – 12:30 Room 5AB
After 14 years of anticipation, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny stormed into theaters this summer. Find out how the filmmakers brought the world’s most famous archeologist back from retirement and launched him into loads and loads of trouble. Film editor Dirk Westervelt, visualization supervisor Clint G. Reagan, and visualization team from Proof Inc. Patrice Avery and Stuart Allan present never-before-seen footage from the making of this instant classic and reveal secrets of some of the film’s visual effects. Moderated by Aaron Sagers (Travel Channel & Netflix host and Den of Geek correspondent).
Events
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s Upcoming Film Builds Massive Hype

The much-anticipated film Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, produced by NTR Arts and Ashoka Creations, is all set to unveil its official teaser on March 17, 2025. Featuring Nandamuri Kalyan Ram in the lead role and veteran actress Vijayashanthi making a powerful comeback, the film is expected to deliver a gripping action-packed family drama.
The Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi teaser launch event is scheduled for:
Date: March 17, 2025
Time: 10:00 AM IST
Venue: AAA Cinemas (Screen 1), Hyderabad, India
Fans who cannot attend in person can watch the teaser across YouTube, Twitter (X), and other social media platforms, as it will be released online simultaneously.
Pre-Teaser Hints at High-Octane Action
Ahead of the teaser launch, the makers released a gripping pre-teaser, which showcased Kalyan Ram in an intense look—seated on a boat, shirt bloodied, signaling an impending storm of action. Complemented by Ajaneesh Loknath’s electrifying background score, the clip has already generated significant buzz online.
Directed by Pradeep Chilukuri, Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi promises to blend action, family drama, and strong emotional elements, making it a highly awaited release for Telugu cinema fans. With Vijayashanthi portraying a powerful IPS officer, the film is expected to bring a strong narrative backed by stellar performances.
Nandamuri Kalyan Ram’s New Action Avatar Vijayashanthi’s Comeback in a Fierce Role High-Quality Production Backed by NTR Arts Intense Pre-Teaser That Has Raised Expectations
Stay Updated on Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi For the latest updates, teasers, trailers, and exclusive insights into Arjun S/O Vyjayanthi, follow NTR Arts’ official pages and stay tuned for March 17!
Events
VINCE GILLIGAN TO RECEIVE WGAW’S 2025 PADDY CHAYEFSKY LAUREL AWARD

Multiple Primetime Emmy- and Writers Guild Award-winning film and television writer, director, and producer Vince Gilligan (Breaking Bad, Better Call Saul) has been named the recipient of the WGAW Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement. The award is presented to a Guild member who has “advanced the literature of television and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the television writer.” Gilligan will be honored at the WGAW’s 2025 Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, February 15 at the Beverly Hilton.
“‘It was the best of times, it was the worst of times,’” said Gilligan. “Cribbing from a better writer is about all I can think to do right now, preoccupied as we all are by what has happened to beautiful Southern California. But this award is a true honor, and I appreciate it deeply.”
Gilligan was born in Richmond, Virginia, and raised in Farmville and Chesterfield County. While attending NYU, Gilligan won the Virginia Governor’s Screenwriting Award in 1989 for his screenplay Home Fries, which was later made into a movie starring Drew Barrymore and Luke Wilson. This award led Gilligan to land an agent and enter the industry. He wrote 1993’s Wilder Napalm before joining season two of The X-Files in 1995. In addition to writing nearly 30 episodes, Gilligan went on to become an executive producer of The X-Files. He was one of the creators and executive producers of the spin-off series The Lone Gunmen.
In 2008, Gilligan created Breaking Bad, widely considered to be among the greatest television shows of all time. It was one of the most-watched cable series in history during its run and it is currently the highest-rated show on IMDb.
Gilligan went on to co-create the Breaking Bad prequel Better Call Saul in 2015 with Peter Gould. Together, Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul were named “TV Programs of the Year” ten times by the American Film Institute and won four Peabody Awards, sixteen Primetime Emmy Awards, and nine Writers Guild Awards. In 2019 Gilligan wrote and directed the film El Camino, a coda to the Breaking Bad finale from 2013.
Named after one of the most influential writers in entertainment history, the Paddy Chayefsky Laurel Award for Television Writing Achievement is the WGAW’s highest award for television writing. Past Television Laurel Award recipients include Linda Bloodworth Thomason, Yvette Lee Bowser, Merrill Markoe, Jenji Kohan, Diane English, Aaron Sorkin, Steven Bochco, Susan Harris, Stephen J. Cannell, Shonda Rhimes, David Chase, Marta Kauffman & David Crane, Larry David, Garry Marshall, and Alison Cross.
Events
SDAFF 2024 presents ‘Dead Talents Society’: I hate this world!

So our Rookie (Gingle Wang) hasn’t been dead terribly long as other ghosts would describe it, and isn’t terribly familiar with the big business that the haunting and urban legend celebrity ghosts perpetuate. When the offerings at a ghost’s grave or shrine begin tapering off and especially if they stop, for any reason or none at all, the ghost in question has 30 days to either obtain an official haunting license or glitch out of existence, basically forever. And for some reason, our Rookie isn’t ready to do that just yet.
The rivalry between the two main celebrities of our ghostly world, Catherine (Sandrine Pinna) and her haunted hotel versus Jessica (Eleven Yao) and her horde of fakes, is just like the smiling poison you’ll see between live celebs on any reality TV show today. Catherine has her tried and true methods that work most of the time, while Jessica seems intent on trying out a bunch of new methods to take her haunting mythos worldwide, though neither of our lady poltergeists are impressing the Chairghost (Di-yang Huang) terribly much at the moment. And our Rookie is trying rather desperately to follow in either of their footsteps, inevitably resulting in hilarious if not pathetic shenanigans.
Like any rookie out hunting a job, our Rookie attends a ghostly seminar and performs miserably, but she manages to meet Catherine’s self-proclaimed manager Makoto (Chen Bolin), and gets taken back to the hotel for some professional haunting lessons from the legend herself. Spectral hijinks ensue, as Catherine and Makoto try so very hard to find a talent, a haunting niche, something that can give our Rookie recognition in the ghost world so she doesn’t go poof forever!
The problem is, is that our Rookie just doesn’t seem to be good at, well, anything. Like any ghost, she actually has unfinished business and that’s why she’s still stuck on this earthly plane, but the how and why of her death, and the very real rage and sorrow she still feels because of it, is something we the living can actually all relate to as well. As she dutifully dons schoolgirl garb and Jack Skellington makeup to repeat her chosen phrase, “I hate this world!”, our Rookie is building her own urban legend to rival even Catherine and Jessica, but even in this she feels herself a fraud. Makoto and the others helped her basically put this whole thing together, and while it might save her spectral butt from glitching out, it doesn’t address her personal grievances, which is kinda the whole point of ghosts.
The leading ghosts are about to compete in a ghost-off for the Golden Ghost Awards, its all being dead-broadcast amongst the dead talents society and the competition is totally fierce, yo! But even as she gamely tries to continue the urban legend she began with help, our Rookie finds herself realizing that she doesn’t have to be declared special or hugely popular, to deserve to continue to exist. No, her death wasn’t fair at all, and to make our Rookie continue to struggle for acceptance, recognition, and to be seen in the afterlife, isn’t fair at all either. No wonder that even in the beginning, our Rookie had decided to use, “I hate this world!” as her catchphrase.
Full of heart and sympathy for the struggles of recognition that both the living and the dead can totally understand, Dead Talents Society boasts plenty of jump scares and ghostly gore but from an adorably jaded behind-the-scenes point of view!