Atlanta Film Festival 2025 (Day 7) Creative Conference - From Comics to Film: How Graphic Fiction Is Shaping Hollywood

From the venue:

From Comics to Film: How Graphic Fiction Is Shaping Hollywood

For a long time now, comic books and graphic novels have been leading popular culture. When we say “comics,” most people immediately think of superhero universes and Marvel movies, but their reach extends far beyond that. Orson Welles was a devoted fan of comic strips like Terry and the Pirates and Dick Tracy, whose influence would eventually bleed into works like Citizen Kane and The Stranger. Even popular concepts and idioms like the “Bechdel Test” and “fridging” began in comics circles before entering the larger pop culture discussion. Many artists who work in comics also work heavily in production, whether it’s doing storyboards, concept design, posters, and other promotional materials. Join us to discuss the comics industry, film/TV, and all the ways the two industries intersect.

Moderator:

Nathan Cabaniss

Nathan Cabaniss is a writer and filmmaker hailing from North Georgia. He's had short stories published in various anthologies and e-zines, in both English and in French. He has also written online for the websites Birth.Movies.Death, Sequart and Screen Rant.

Panelists:

Novelist and Comic Book Writer Van Jensen

Van Jensen is an acclaimed novelist and writer of comic books, TV, and film. His debut novel, Godfall, is in development as a TV series with Academy Award-winner Ron Howard attached to direct. Jensen has written comics including ARCA (IDW), Two Dead (Gallery 13), Cryptocracy (Dark Horse), as well as Superman, The Flash, Green Lantern Corps and James Bond.

Comic Book Writer Paul Jenkins

Comics veteran with a near forty-year career working for pretty much every major publisher, in addition to shepherding various film, TV, video game and new media initiatives. Notably, Paul also previously chaired an advisory committee for Georgia Governor Nathan Deal about production in the state.

Producer, Director and Writer Neal Holman

Neal Holman is an Emmy Award-winning producer, director, writer, and dad (got a coffee mug to prove it.) A twenty year veteran of the animation industry, his clients include Marvel, Fox, FXX, Hulu, Amazon, Netflix, Cartoon Network, and Max, among others.