We're delighted to confirm five more incredible comic creators for this year’s annual Festival in Bowness-on-Windermere (29th September – 1st October 2023), joining the event thanks to our continued partnership with Comic Art Europe.
We are also pleased to announce the first unofficial “Festival Fringe” at this year’s weekend-long event, spearheaded by creators that include Dan Berry, Lucy Sullivan and Kev F. Sutherland.
James Albon, Silvia L. Ballart, Bernard Hage (aka The Art Of Boo), Štěpánka Jislová and Eva Pavlič join this year’s Festival, brought to the Lakes in partnership with Comic Art Europe, a project that aims to unite comics artists and organisations all over Europe.
It’s supported by four organisations from across the continent – Lyon BD, the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Escola Joso, Centre de Còmic i Arts Visuals and Centre Belge de la Bande-Dessinée (the Belgium Comic Strip Centre) – with the support of the European Union program “Creative Europe”. One of its many goals is to create a training and development programme for young comic artists and students across Europe, including summer camps.
The CAE-sponsored guests join an all-star line-up of creators already announced, which includes Mehdi Annassi, aka Machima, Charlie Adlard, Gigi Cavenago, Gustavo Duarte, Hunt Emerson, Gerhard, Lina Ghaibeh, Peter Hogan, Jad (George Khoury), Comics Laureate Stephen L. Holland, Mai Koraiem, Michael Lark, Lucie Lomová, Dave McKean, Fouad Mezher, Bill Morrison, Seif Eddine Nechi, Steve and Annie Parkhouse, Sean Phillips, Pieter De Poortere, Tom Richmond, Peter Rogiers, Marek Rubec, Festival poster designer Mohamed Salah, David Shenton, Václav Šlajch, Rachael Smith, Bryan and Mary Talbot, “Awkward Yeti” creator Nick Seluk, Shennawy and Dr Nicola Streeten, Nancy ArtMusic and Wallis Eates of LDComics.
More creators from across the globe will be revealed soon, part of a weekend-long event that will open with a never-to-be repeated opening night of comedy with comedians Josie Long and Frankie Boyle (the latter also a comics creator) on Friday 29th September.
Full details of our guests are here.
The Festival is also pleased to acknowledge this year marks the arrival of a number of “Festival Fringe” events around Windermere, spearheaded by cartoonist, illustrator, podcaster and educator Dan Berry and fellow comics conspirators such as David Gaffney and Lucy Sullivan. The events will make the Festival even bigger than ever, complementing the official programme.
“We're really excited to about these fab-sounding 'Fringe' events,” says Festival Director Julie Tait.
“The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has grown its programming since its inception in 2013, but, this year, comic events in Bowness-in-Windermere are going to be even bigger in number.
“These aren’t official events, but just as the Edinburgh Fringe has brought people to Scotland’s capital during its International Festival, way back in 1947, we know that the more that’s going on, the more our Festival will bring comic fans to the Lakes each year. Their presence is welcome!”
Information on confirmed events can be found on the Festival web site, along with links to the web sites or social media of the event participants, who, so far, include John Allison, Dan Berry, David Gaffney, also a guest at the Festival, Roger Langridge, Joe Latham, Zara Slattery, Rachael Smith, Lucy Sullivan, Kev F Sutherland and Lyndon White.
Please do contact them if you have questions about what they are planning.
“We’re always delighted to encourage comic-related activity and feel honoured our own 'LICAF Fringe' has begun!,” says Julie. “From 'little acorns'...”
• Check out the LICAF “Festival Fringe” Page
FESTIVAL DATES: The Lakes International Comic Art Festival returns to Bowness-on-Windermere 29th September to 1st October 2023
• Buy your “Frankie Boyle and Josie Long Talk Comics” Festival Opening Night tickets here
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