San Diego Comic-Con 2025 is set to host a standout event that puts femme voices and inclusive fandom at center stage. Taking place on Saturday, July 26th, from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM at the Neil Morgan Auditorium at the San Diego Central Library, the panel “Fangirling in the Face of Barriers” promises to be one of the most powerful and timely discussions of the convention.

Presented by the Portrait of a Fangirl podcast and InterMyth, this panel will explore the unique challenges that femme-identifying fans, creators, and critics face in the world of pop culture — from workplace inequities and online harassment to gatekeeping and underrepresentation in major media franchises. At the same time, it will highlight the triumphs, strategies, and community-building efforts that continue to push fandom culture toward a more inclusive and empowering future.

Moderated by Alix Catherine, host of the Welcome Party Podcast, the panel brings together a dynamic lineup of creators and voices:

  • Bobbi Miller, pop culture commentator and host of Culture Kitsch
  • Emily Baez a.k.a. Movie Mija, a Latina commercial and film producer and digital creator
  • Francis Smith, known as Frantastic Frankey, host of the official DC Studios Showcase podcast
  • Shiv Reddy, a South Asian media advocate and content creator
  • Victoria Male, acclaimed screenwriter and founder of Your Biggest Fangirl Podcast
  • Jenna Wrenn, executive producer of Portrait of a Fangirl Podcast and senior comics reporter at ScreenRant

Attendees can expect an unfiltered, emotionally resonant conversation that celebrates the role of women in shaping modern fandom. Topics will include the power of mentorship, the importance of representation across media platforms, and actionable steps fans and professionals alike can take to uplift and amplify female-led voices in geek culture.

Whether you’re a lifelong fangirl or an ally looking to listen and learn, “Fangirling in the Face of Barriers” is a can’t-miss conversation that embodies the heart of what fandom should be: inclusive, passionate, and unapologetically bold.