Don’t Panic: Finding the Funny in Science Fiction and Fantasy 

Saturday, February 21, 2026
11:00 AM - 12:00 PM

When people look back on their favorite moments in film or fiction, they often remember the funny ones—The Trouble with Tribbles, Indiana Jones rolling his eyes and shooting the swordsman, or Jaws, “We’re going to need a bigger boat.” Humor sticks with us. Even the darkest story needs a laugh to break the tension, reveal character, or make readers care. This panel explores how humor works in science fiction and fantasy, what writers inspired our inner comedians, and how to find the right balance between the absurd and the profound.