Voulez-vous aller au Festival international de la bande dessinée d'Angoulême?

The 41st Angoulême International Comics Festival kicked off today, lasting til Sunday the 2nd. Starting in 1974 in France- this annual event gets over 200,000 visitors qualifying it for the second largest comic convention in the world after Tokyo’s biannual Comiket. Much like the Olympic Villiage, the convention is spread out all over the city of Angoulême. 

Last year, 31 countries participated in the 400 meetings, workshops, panels, shows and presentations. Seven THOUSAND professionals were present (along with 1600 artists and 260 exhibitors). This is a large event. This year boast’s Argentine Mafalda’s 50th birthday with a special appearance by her creator Quino, 80 years of Mickey (Mouse) Journal , youth talent searches and career guidance/training, a focus on digitization of comics, and a “drawing concert” .

Every year they reward prizes (trophies). More lively than the Grammys, the Grand Jury decides the Heritage Award, Best Series Award, Best Newcomer Award and Best Comic Book Award. The public pick the Culture People’s Choice Award and 8-12 year olds pick their own Young Readers’ Award. They also have a Discovery Awards ceremony aimed towards young up and coming talent and schools-in France there are schools dedicated just to comics. All the winners are posted here as they are announced(check back Sunday.

Among the nominated comics are Joseph Lambert’s Anne Sullivan & Helen Keller, Marvel’s Hawkeye by Matt Fraction and illustrated by the innovative David Aja, Brian K Vaughan(Y the Last Man, Dues Ex Machina, Runaways) and Fiona Staple’s sci-fi soap opera Saga and many other international selections. 

Le Fauve, Angoulême's mascot created by Lewis Trondheim

The Grand Prix is rewarded to a living creator for their spectacular achievement in comics. Past winners are Will Eisner(1975, creator of The Spirit), Underground Comix master Robert Crumb(1999),  and Maus creator/ The New Yorker cartoonist Art Spiegelman(2011).This year's contenders are Bill Watterson(Calvin and Hobbs), Katsuhiro Ottomo(Akira) and Alan Moore(V for Vendetta, Watchmen, League of Extraordinary Gentlemen). The winner “gets” to Grand Marshall next year’s event and take part in the planning. Publishers Weekly details controversy and gossip among the awards quite eloquently.


Here is the 38 page English press kit. Keep an eye on the event’s Instagram or polish off your French on the official webpage.