Komiket - the Filipino Komiks and Art Market which helps nurture the local komiks community, discover new creators and readers, and launch new local komiks - is launching the PICOF - the 1st Philippine International Comics Festival this summer (12th - 14th June 2020).
PICOF is an NGO created by komiks creators and volunteers, for the komiks community and it's being delivered in partnership with a number of international partners, including the British Council and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival.
"If Komiket's mission is to nurture and grow the komiks community, PICOF's mission is to grow the readership of local komiks and graphic novels," say the organisers, "by publishing world class Filipino comics and graphic novels for international readers."
Aspiring Filipino comic creators must make their pitches for PICOF Year 2 by the end of March, with the Top 20 pitches delivered live during PICOF, along with the announcement of the Official Selection of winners.
An international komiks festival, PICOF will host The Festival of Komiks, spotlighting the ten great Filipino comics projects and their creators who won PICOF Year 1, and offering over a hundred tables for independent Filipino komiks creators and publishers - plus an international section for creators who reside outside the Philippines.
Last year's winners were Jay Ignacio and Alex Nifio, Kahlil Baet and Raymund Bermudez, Bambi Amago and Roland Amago, Ma-i Entico, Vaughn Pinpin and Tristan Yuvienco, Macoy and Cy Vendivil, Ruvel Abril, CatSacdalan, JV Tanjuatco and Jim Jimenez, and Tori Tadiar.
Also planned are Komikstarter Pitches & Business Matching Meetings. Running across three meeting rooms, these will offer artist talks, community seminars, Komikstarter pitch sessions and book launches throughout the Festival.
There will also be opportunities for business matching meetings with accredited and registered film, TV and Animation producers with the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), registered Publishers from the National Book Development Board (NBDB), and toy makers and game makers can schedule, to discuss the possibility of adapting, merchandising or publishing Filipino creators' work.
Finally, an international jury that includes Lakes International Comic Art Festival Director Julie Tait will be judging the Official Selection of the 2020 Komiket Awards, while a local jury will be judging the Independent Section. ReaderCon, a group of book lovers, will also be judging the Audience Choice Award.
The Best Komiks from the Official Selection wins P150,000, while the winners of the Independent Section wins P5,000 Komikstarter Grants.
• 1st Philippine International Comics Festival (#PICOF) 9.00am - 8.00pm Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12th - 14th June 2020, The Axon, Green Sun Hotel Makati City | Click here to register as an Exhibitor
• Find PICOF on Facebook | Follow Komiket on Twitter @komiketph
PICOF Call for Entries - The Details for Filipino Creators
Announced on Facebook here in December 2019 - for Filipino Comic Book Creators - included here as it might help guide those thinking of running comic-related competitions
Calling all Filipino Comic Book Creators of all ages, newbies or professionals: submit your comic book pitches for #PICOF YEAR 2! Get a publishing contract and a chance to win P150,000!
PICOF are open to any genre, format, coloured or black and white, in English Language and the final work must be 72 pages or more. Works currently in-progress are qualified.
Email a signed entry form and submit the following in PDF format on or before 31st March 2020 to picoflions@gmail.com
a. TITLE OF ENTRY
b. SYNOPSIS (1 paragraph)
c. DETAILED STORYLINE (1-3 pages max)
d. MAIN CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT
(1 page max including character sketches)
e. FIRST 5-8 KOMIKS PAGES (sketches or pages)
f. PORTFOLIO of previous komiks or artworks related to the sample art (10 pages max)
g. CREATOR’S RESUME with a clear profile picture (1 page). Save all requirements (A-G) in one PDF file, with the creator’s name and title of entry as FILENAME.
Ex. DelaCruzJuan_TheNinthRayOfTheSun
WHAT GENRES ARE WE OPEN TO?
PICOF is open to all genres (and art styles)! Superhero, Comedy, Romance, Horror, Strips, Slice-of-Life, Adventure, Fantasy, Sci-Fi, Erotica, Furry - they're open to any, for as long as it has an original Filipino story.
WHAT STORIES ARE PICOF LOOKING FOR?
PICOF is looking for an original Filipino story that the world needs to discover, learn and enjoy. We want to help these stories reach beyond our markets and discover new readers here and abroad.
WHAT KIND OF CREATORS DO PICOF WANT TO SUPPORT?
PICOF wants to support creators who are open to feedback and are ready to develop their stories with our Publishers to fulfil its highest potential.
WHAT DO I NEED TO PREPARE?
The first 5-8 pages of your komiks, a pitch line, a complete storyline (beginning, middle and end), and character development. The full requirements are outlined above. The Top20 entries pitch their stories at PICOF on June 12-14, 2020.
IMPORTANT DATES TO REMEMBER?
31st March 2020 : Pitch Deadline
12th - 14th June 2020 : Top 20 pitches live during PICOF, and announcement of the Official Selection for PICOF Year 2
31st March 2021 : Deadline of Final Manuscript (72 pages and up)
11th - 13th June 2021: PICOF Year 2
Again, do note this competition announced on Facebook here in December 2019 is for Filipino Comic Book Creators. It is included here as it might help guide those thinking of running comic-related competitions
