We hope you can join us this weekend for the fifth edition of Awesome Con DC on June 16-18, 2017 at the DC Convention Center. Curls Studio will be located at table N5. Check out the awesome map above where the yellow pulse signal circles are so you’ll know where to find us.


New this year at Awesome Con is Awesome Con Jr., a first-ever family-focused pavilion within Awesome Con, providing hours of fun with entertaining and educational programs just for kids including interactive opportunities with characters from Nickelodeon’s hit preschool series PAW Patrol and Shimmer and Shine. Join us on Sunday, June 18, 2017 at 2PM for “Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski.” 

In addition to the workshop, we have several panels we’ll be taking part in — there is something for everyone:




Awesome Con Short Film Fest
6/16/2017 / 8:30 PM – 9:30 PM / 144 A
Finish your day of insanity at Awesome Con by grabbing some popcorn, all your friends, and a seat, as Joe Carabeo (Director, Astray Productions, Project Resolution) and Otessa Marie Ghadar (Director, 2020 Production, DC Web Fest Founder) bring to Awesome Con for the first time, an Awesome Con Short Film Festival! Check out on the fringe films that have been making waves by Otessa Marie Ghadar, Rick Spears, Matthew Lucas, Michele Lombardi, Danny Caporaletti, and Joe Carabeo. Grab your seat fast for this exclusive, first time, Awesome Con mini film festival.
Panelists: Joe Carabeo, Otessa Marie Ghadar, Danny Caporaletti, Rick Spears, Matthew Lucas, Michele Lombardi
Rated PG



Kickstarter: Dos and Don’ts 
6/17/2017 / 12:30 PM – 1:15 PM / 149 
Kickstarter has been proven to be a wonderful platform in helping creators get their projects off the ground. Join our panelists who have each launched successful Kickstarter campaigns as they talk about their first-hand experiences. 
Panelists: Arsia Rozegar (Shahnameh For Kids), Carolyn Belefski (Curls), Jason Rodriguez (The Little Particle That Could)
Rated G



The Other Side of the Table: Lessons from Creators
6/17/2017 / 2:30 PM – 3:15 PM / 149
Are you a creator considering exhibiting at Artist Alley or Small Press comic conventions? This panel will give you tips and suggestions on how to create your professional appearances from the POV of being behind the table. We will discuss the metamorphosis from attendee to exhibitor, effective table display design, how to talk and interact with people at your table, and how to generate sales with your table pitch. We will highlight the process of starting a comic book tour on a low budget and methods of attracting potential readers by promoting your appearances and will take questions and comments, as this will be a conversation on multiple subjects regarding how to build rewarding convention appearances from the ground up.
Panelists: Ryan North, Carolyn Belefski, Dawn Griffin
Moderator: Joe Carabeo

Rated G



Dark Matter Q&A
6/17/2017 / 5:30 PM – 6:15 PM / 150
Melissa O’Neil and Zoe Palmer will discuss their exciting careers and answer audience questions.
Moderator: Joe Carabeo
Rated PG



Awesome Filmmakers: Making it Happen
6/17/2017 / 8:30 PM – 9:15 PM / 150
The legendary Awesome Con filmmakers panel that had everyone talking has returned! Join filmmaker panelists Otessa Marie Ghadar (DC Webfest, Orange Juice in Bishops Garden), Rick Spears and Michele Lombardi (Black Eyes), Matthew Lucas(Moonshot) and Danny Caporaletti (Making Movies is Easy) and moderated by Director Joe Carabeo (Astray Productions, The Magic Trick), as they break the 4th the wall and reveal the realities of being a filmmaker and making it happen in today’s media consuming society. You might even see an exclusive trailer or two or three. A must see for all filmmakers and film lovers at Awesome Con.
Panelists: Otessa Marie Ghadar, Rick Spears, Michele Lombardi, Matthew Lucas, Danny Caporaletti 
Moderator: Joe Carabeo
Rated PG



LIVE Carolyn and Joe Show Podcast “400th Episode” with Karen Hallion
6/18/2017 / 11:00 AM – 11:45 AM / 154
The Carolyn and Joe Show podcast celebrate their 400th episode! Every year one of the best times at Awesome Con is the live recording of The Carolyn and Joe Show podcast in front of a LIVE Awesome Con audience. They’ve had special guests from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Pulp Fiction, Renowned Animation voices and Walking Dead Actors. This is a panel/recording/live show like no other and it’s the 400th episode. What in the world could possibly happen this year? This year artist Karen Hallion will be the special guest! Karen has done licensed work for Marvel, Lucas, Cartoon Network, DreamWorks Studios, Cryptozoic, TOPPS, Her Universe, and Disney. 
Panelists: Carolyn Belefski, Joe Carabeo, Karen Hallion
Rated PG



Create Your Own Superhero Symbol with Carolyn Belefski
6/18/2017 / 2:00 PM – 2:45 PM / Awesome Con Jr.
Every hero needs a logo! Many superheroes have personal branding on their outfits and My Little Pony characters even have cutie marks! Join artist and designer Carolyn Belefski and learn how to incorporate graphic design elements to create an icon and establish your own powerful visual identity.