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Comicpalooza may have the word "comic" in the title, but the convention is clearly about so much more than that. Given that the popular culture of sci-fi and fantasy encompasses movies, books, and games as well, the convention plays host to a variety of experiences for attendees, including a number of film festivals. In fact, the three different festivals take place at this year's convention: the Comicpalooza Film Festival, the ZONE Film Festival, and the Extended Universes Fan Film Festival.
Filmmakers from around the world send in submissions that are considered and then chosen for screenings throughout the convention, after which they will be given special awards by a panel of judges. In the audio above, Joshua Zinn talks with festival directors Joe Livey and Jo'Nathan Gwynn about what distinguishes these films from their big-budget, studio-made counterparts, and about some of the films they're excited for in this year's lineup.