The buzz for 9 should only grow after Comic-Con.

2.) Focus Features: 9 [Friday 2:30-3:30 -- Hall H]
Shane Acker's 9 is one of the best animated features in years. It has the potential to take mature 3D animation to a new level. Fans will see never-before-seen footage from the film. And get a load of this panel -- director Acker, producer Tim Burton, producer Timur Bekmambetov (Night Watch) and actors Elijah Wood and Jennifer Connelly.

Witness the 9 trailer!

Hayao Miyazaki brings Ponyo to Comic-Con.

1.) Disney: Animation Panel [Friday 12:45-2:15 -- Hall H]
Disney•Pixar has a Comic-Con track record of presenting the most in-depth panels with the most new information of any panel at the Con. This panel will probably be no exception with footage from Toy Story 3, Prep & Landing, The Princess and the Frog and Ponyo to be shown. But the #1 reason to go is for Hayao Miyazaki's first Con appearance. Yes, the director of Princess Mononoke and Spirited Away will be live to take your questions. John Lasseter will host the panel with Ratatouille voice actor Patton Oswalt moderating. Other guests include directors Lee Unkrich, Kirk Wise, Ron Clements and John Musker. If you go to only one animation event at the Comic-Con, this should be the one. And send me pictures; you make me jealous.

Also check out the top 15 VFX events at VFXWorld. Coming Soon!

Rick DeMott is the managing editor of Animation World Network and editor of AWNtv. In his free time, he runs the movie review site, Rick's Flicks Picks. He has written for TV series, such as Discovery Kids' Growing Up Creepie and Cartoon Network's Pet Alien, the animation history book Animation Art, and the humor, absurdist and surrealist website Unloosen. Previously, he held various production and management positions in the entertainment industry.