ALLIANCE OF WOMEN DIRECTORS TO BRING POWERFUL PANELS CELEBRATING IDENTITY, SOUND, AND THE ART OF STORYTELLING TO 2025 SAN DIEGO COMIC-CON
Alliance of Women Directors brings two dynamic panels to Comic-Con, one in partnership with the Alliance for Women Film Composers July 25 and 26
LOS ANGELES – July 10, 2025 – The Alliance of Women Directors (AWD), an organization that empowers women and gender-expansive directors through community and opportunity, today announced its participation in San Diego Comic-Con with two exciting panels spotlighting diverse creative voices in film and television.
The first panel, “Latinas Directing From Within,” presented by AWD, will be held Friday, July 25 from 2:00-3:00 PM in Room 23ABC and will feature acclaimed directors Rachel Raimist (The Spiderwick Chronicles, Wu-Tang: An American Saga) and Linda Mendoza (The Tick, Survival of the Thickest), along with AWD’s Mentor Latina Directors Initiative members Eunice Levis (Ro & the Stardust), Gabby Revilla Lugo (Secret Life of a Dominatrix), Jessica Rae (Raise Your Hand), Saray Bravo Guidetti (Lady Justice), and Evelyn Belasco (That Girl Lay Lay). Director and AWD Board Member Melissa Balint (High Score) will moderate this discussion, which will explore how identity, legacy, and personal perspective shape a director’s visual language and storytelling voice.
The second panel, “In Sync: Directors & Composers,” presented by AWD in partnership with the Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC), will be held Saturday, July 26 from 12:30 – 1:30 PM in Room 10 and will feature directors Morenike Joela Evans (Legacies, Quantum Leap), Kristin Windell (Arrow, The Hunting Party), and Tara Miele (Lessons in Chemistry, Wander Darkly), alongside composers Andrea Datzman (Inside Out 2, Star Trek Beyond), Joy Ngiaw (WondLa, Glamorous), and Dara Taylor (Ironheart, The Invitation). Moderated by Director and AWD Board Member Ashley Maria (Super Human Anxiety), the conversation will delve into the collaborative relationship between directors and composers and how sound acts as a vital narrative thread in visual storytelling.
“San Diego Comic-Con offers a powerful stage to elevate the voices of women and gender-diverse creatives,” said Kylie Eaton, Interim Executive Director of AWD. “We’re proud to bring our community to this global event and spotlight the groundbreaking work and fresh perspectives that are shaping the future of entertainment.”
In addition to the panels, AWD and AWFC will co-host a Directors & Composers Meetup on Saturday, July 25, from 3:00 – 5:00 PM. The event will provide an opportunity for directors, composers, and industry allies to connect, collaborate, and build meaningful creative relationships. To attend, please register via Eventbrite. Location will be provided following registration.
About Alliance of Women Directors (AWD)
Founded in 1997, Alliance of Women Directors (AWD) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit dedicated to achieving gender parity in the entertainment industry by substantially increasing the number of working women and gender-diverse directors. Through craft enrichment, mentorship, and industry partnerships, AWD provides vital support to its over 600 directing and ally members, who range from emerging filmmakers to award-winning veterans. AWD believes representation matters and works to ensure stories are told from all perspectives. For more information visit www.allianceofwomendirectors.org
About Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC)
With over 1,300 global members, the Alliance for Women Film Composers (AWFC) is a community of composers and colleagues who strive to support and celebrate the work of women and gender-diverse composers through advocacy, outreach, and education. Learn more at www.theawfc.org
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