AV/Anime Room 

The AV Room is thrilled to team up again in 2026 with GPS and MarsCon’s Anime/YA! Throughout the convention weekend, you’ll find a variety of films being shown, including the highly anticipated return of Distant Calling Pictures, which is back by popular demand.

Due to licensing agreements with GPS, the AV Room does not publish the entire movie schedule online. However, you’ll notice time blocks for the AV Room in the Anime/YA room listed below. The full AV Room schedule will be printed in the MarsCon Programming Guide and Grid and posted on AV Room fliers around the hotel. You can also visit the Owl Overlook room on the 2nd floor of The Hilton at any time during the convention to see what’s playing for the day.

 

Event Schedule (Specific film titles and  info will be posted at the convention.)

Friday – Retro Beginnings & Atomic Horrors

4:00 PM –  9:40 PM — Check posted schedule

9:50 PM – 11:26 PM — The Monster of Phantom Lake (2006) (Rated: NR | Film | 96 min) A faithful “re-imagining” of 1950’s Cold War era, B-grade, drive-in horror movies, The Monster of Phantom Lake follows proud scientist Professor Jackson, his graduate student, and five swell teenagers as they discover the terrifying effects of “Atomic Waste” in the form of a horribly mutated “shell-shocked” World War II soldier / lake-algae monster!

11:26 PM – 12:26 AM — Q&A with Filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm (Panel | 60 min) Join the director for stories, trivia, and behind-the-scenes insight into his retro-monster universe.

12:30 AM – 2:25 AM —  Check posted schedule

Saturday – Princess Power & Midnight Vampires

10:00 AM – 11:45AM —  Check posted schedule

12:00PM  – 1:00 PM  — Craziest Japanese Commercials (Panel | 60 min) Hosted by Viga. The world pasta aliens, Nicholas Cage, pop idols, long long long stories are shared in the funniest commercials from Japan. Come see a curated hour of the best, strange, and hilarious!

1:20 PM – 1:40 PM — Pre-Panel Break / Setup (Break | 20 min) A short intermission to stretch your legs and prepare for the Distant Calling Pictures panel.

1:40 PM – 3:40 PM — Everything You Always Wanted to Know about Filmmaking (But were afraid to ask)  (Panel | 120 min) It’s our 8th year at MarsCon!  Join local Minnesota indie filmmakers as they answer all your questions about creating your very own movie!  Whether it is your first film or your tenth, you’ll find a group of passionate artisans ready to share our experiences, successes and stumbles with you.

3:50 PM – 5:10 PM — Distant Calling Pictures Film Feature (Rated: NR | Film | 80 min) An exclusive indie feature screening from Distant Calling Pictures. Expect heart, humor, and creative vision.

5:20 PM – 11:15 PM —  Check posted schedule

11:30 PM – 12:46 AM — Three Bad Girls Who Find a Gun and Become Vampires (2025) (Rated: NR | Film | 76 min) In writer/director Christopher R. Mihm’s ode to “teensploitation” films of the 1950s and the cinematic oeuvre of the Coen Brothers, three female juvenile delinquents obtain a firearm and, just for the thrill of it, start robbing the fine folks of New Berlin. Unfortunately, their crime spree takes an unexpected turn after they mug and nearly murder the gambling-addicted pastor of the local church-who turns out to be an immortal, blood-sucking creature of the night. Hijinks ensue when the vampiric padre hires a pair of hitmen to help him retrieve his stolen cash and seek revenge against the three bad girls responsible.

12:46 AM – 1:46 AM — Q&A with Filmmaker Christopher R. Mihm (Panel | 60 min) Post-screening discussion with the director about his unique blend of retro-horror, humor, and DIY filmmaking.

1:55 AM – 4:15 AM  Check posted schedule

Sunday – Cyber Farewell & Cinematic Goodbyes

11:00 AM – 2:22 PM —  Check posted schedule

3:00 PM — That’s A Wrap!

Important Note to Parents: Please be aware that some films shown in the AV/Anime room will be rated “R” or “NR.” If you do not want your children to view these movies, we advise keeping them out of MarsCon’s Anime/YA during their screening times. We regret that we cannot monitor and ensure that underage attendees are not watching these films. Additionally, some “NR” films might not be suitable for children. If you have any questions, please ask the Film Crew in the AV Room.

Enjoy the films and the unique opportunity to engage with the creators!