Panels
Scream Diego has an exciting selection of panels and presenters! Our panel topics and presentations will include all things Halloween, spooky, gothic, or related to the theme of the event – presented by the most captivating and knowledgeable people in San Diego’s horror and spooky community!
Below is a description of all of our 2025 panels! All Panels will be in the Balboa Room and the Terrace Room. Schedule subject to change.
Learn more about all of our panelists on the panel bio page!
Terrace Room Panels
10:30 AM – “Scaaaaary Music!”
David Neuhausel will introduce some fun familiar favorites such as John Carpenter’s Halloween and why music plays a crucial role in horror films and what instruments are used. Classical scary music will include A Night on Bald Mountain and The Funeral March. We will go over The Ghost Frequency and the Hungarian Suicide Song. Beware! Some of this music could unnerve you!
12:00 PM – “San Diego Horror Events Come Alive”
This special panel will dissect and foretell the current state of horror and haunted events in the San Diego horror scene now! Presenters will include die-hard fans of horror who are creators, promoters, and producers of some of the most popular and fun events going on in the San Diego horror community!
Featuring Rene Thayer of Macabre Mysterium, Beth Accomando of Film Geeks SD, and Attiba Royster of Horrorgasm!
1:30 PM – “Horror in the Age of the Internet”
With any sort of technological innovation, horror tends to evolve alongside it. And the invention and widespread use of the Internet is no exception. It’s given us so many iconic subgenres of horror from creepypastas to analog horror. Come with your spooky host as they guide you through the history of Internet horror and learn what is so unique about utilizing this medium to share stories. Hosted and presented by Eros!
3:00 PM – “Beyond the Darkness: A Dialogue on Goth in San Diego”
4:30 PM – “Writing Bestselling Horror, Dark Fantasy & Sci-Fi”
Join bestselling authors Jonathan Maberry, Scott Sigler, Peter Clines, and Luke Dumas to learn about writing scary and weird novels and short stories. Moderated by author/anthologist Henry Herz.
6:00 PM – “True Ghost Stories of Downtown San Diego”
Join U.S. Ghost Adventures Tour Guide, Dave Rivas as he shares true stories of haunted locations in The Gaslamp Quarter of downtown San Diego.
Balboa Room Panels
11:00 AM – “Comic Book Anthologies”
Learn the process of making a horror/sci-fi graphic novel anthology! Local artists and writers discuss the process of making anthology from idea to completion. Writers, artists, and editors discuss their individual parts of the process and how to navigate the sometimes tricky collaborative creative process. Presented by Attiba Royster of Horrorgasm!
12:30 PM – “Monsters Reimagined: From Classic Creatures to Modern Nightmares”
In this conversation with award-winning authors, we’ll explore how fearsome creatures are being reimagined for new generations. From classic icons like Dracula and the Wolfman to modern terrors like the Xenomorph and the Demogorgon, this panel will examine what elevates a monster from ordinary to iconic. How do writers balance tradition and tropes with originality? How do cultural anxieties shape monsters that become legendary? Join us for a deep dive into the art of monster-making and gain insights into crafting creatures that stand the test of time. Featuring Jonathan Maberry, Jendia Gammon, Brian Asman, and KC Grifant!
2:00 PM – “The Devil’s in the Details: Building Believable Horror Villains”
In TV, film, and books, villains have traditionally been depicted as the ultimate in evil—doing bad things for the sake of being bad. But in recent years, writers have given villains some incredible backstories, making them much more complex, giving viewers and readers a chance to watch the journey from innocence to evil. This has made some villains just as popular as the heroes. This panel of experts in the world of psychology and creative storytelling will look at some of the great villains in the world of horror, explore the difference between villain and antagonist, and share some effective ways creators can add depth to villains, thus creating more empathy, tension, and conflict. Panel features Jonathan Maberry, Dr. Janina Scarlet, Scott Sigler, and moderator Dennis K. Crosby.
3:30 PM – “Diversity in Horror”
As the horror genre’s resurgence continues, readers and viewers are seeing new names in creative roles on the big and small screen, on scripts, and on book covers. We are also seeing greater diversity within the stories themselves as these new names elevate the genre with strong storytelling that shines a light on once-marginalized communities and cultures like never before. The panel will include Deborah Daughetee, Pedro Iniguez, Jonathan Maberry, Shane Hawk, and will be moderated by Sarah Faxon.
5:00 PM – “Never Whistle At Night: Exploring Indigenous Horror”
Join acclaimed horror writer Shane Hawk (Never Whistle at Night) and Johnnie Jae (Grim Native) for a chilling discussion on Indigenous horror. This conversation explores how Indigenous storytelling traditions shape the horror genre, weaving together ancestral knowledge, historical trauma, and cultural resilience. From unsettling folklore to contemporary terrors, Hawk and Jae will delve into the power of horror as a tool for both storytelling and survivance.
6:30 PM – “Would You Survive the Zombie Apocalypse?”
A lively discussion that explores the strengths and skills every single person has to survive an apocalyptic event. Zombies, plagues, and more. Hosted by NY Times bestseller Jonathan Maberry, author of the bestselling ROT & RUIN (now in development for film), DEAD OF NIGHT, and NIGHTS OF THE LIVING DEAD (an anthology go-edited with George Romero).