ComicFest is back!
A festival celebrating the talent and creativity in New Zealand's comic and cartoon communities.
How it all started
I’m always excited when ComicFest comes around. It began in 2014 at Wellington City Libraries under the esteemed leadership of Monty Masseurs, as a way to celebrate free comic book day and Aotearoa’s comic and graphic artists communities. Since then there have been four ComicFests, and we’re now gearing up for number five — with National Library and Wellington City Libraries working in partnership.
In the first week of my new role as the Assistant Curator of the Cartoons and Comics archive I was invited to a meeting at Wellington City Libraries where I found out I’d be helping to lead the implementation of ComicFest 2021. I knew at that moment that I’d truly landed my dream job.
Comicfest Poster 2021, Artwork by Giselle Clarkson.
Comicfest highlights
ComicFest combines two wonderful things – Free comics (thanks to Graphic and Wellington City Libraries) and people talking about comics. It’s fantastic — and totally free – and over the years has featured a whole galaxy of Aotearoa’s finest graphic artists and authors.
Here’s a couple of highlights of the incredible line up of speakers and panels, they’ve had (of course I encourage you to seek them all out!):
Listen to the very first panel with Ant Sang, Robyn Keneally and Grant Buist
Stories from Aotearoa with Jem Yoshioka, Paul Diamond, Alex Cara and Ross Murray
From left: speaking at Comicfest 2019, Ross Murray, Jem Yoshioka, Alex Cara in discussion with Hannah Benbow, former Cartoon and Comics librarian at the National Library Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa. Photo: David Thomsen
Uncovering new talent in Aotearoa’s cartoons and comics community
And even with all these speakers we haven’t even begun to scratch the surface of the amazing talent that Aotearoa’s cartoons and comics community has. That’s what I love so much about this festival — it’s constantly evolving and unearthing emerging creators, and providing platforms for the hidden gems of our community.
![Digital cartoon by Michel Mulipola depicting a brown adult arm with a Samoan tatau holding hands with a small brown hand covered in 62 red spots [representing each of the 62 children who had died in the measles epidemic in Samoa by the time the cartoonist drew the cartoon].](https://images.ctfassets.net/pwv49hug9jad/FehzKTy1MWwZTjI52V0b5/ec45011036b0984339bbbc97d525b275/comicfest-2-mulipola-artwork.jpg?fm=webp)
Digital cartoon by Michel Mulipola, Samoa. Ref: DCDL-0039784. Alexander Turnbull Library.
This year’s Comicfest features webtoons superstars and NZCYA finalists
This year is no different. I’m so excited that about what will unfold during ComicFest 2021, at the National Library August 21, from 9am to 5pm. You will be able to catch live drawing demonstrations from the likes of Jem Yoshioka and Michel Mulipola, participate in interactive workshops with the award-winning Kay O’Neill, grab some free comics, and listen to the incredible thoughts of some of Aotearoa’s prominent and emerging comic artists.
There’s just so much fun to be had!
NZ Children’s Book Award finalists
We have THREE NZ Children’s Book Award finalists on the line up: Jonathan King (The Inkberg Enigma), Dr. Selina Tusitala Marsh (Mophead Tu: The Queen’s Poem), and Giselle Clarkson (Egg and Spoon: An Illustrated Cookbook).
Original artwork by webtoon superstar Jem Yoshioka. Used by permission.
Webtoons superstars
We’ll also be joined by Webtoons superstars Jem Yoshioka (Folklore Remedy) and Rachel Smythe (Lore Olympus). Yes — that Rachel Smythe — whose Lore Olympus readership is more than the entire population of Aotearoa, and whose works have just been snapped up for a television adaptation.
New Zealand Cartoonist of the year
Toby Morris, winner of the New Zealand Cartoonist of the year award for the last two years running will be here too.
And that’s not even half the talent we have lined up!
Check out the full programme
Check out our full programme for ComicFest 2021. While you’re there make sure you register for events (we highly recommend you do, to avoid disappointment), and read all about the wonderful people coming along to ComicFest 2021 – there’s a whole lot of interviews and content for you to explore.
Check out the full programme and register for for Comicfest 2021
Here are a few links to get you started:
I’m constantly blown away by the breadth of talent we have in comic and cartoon communities in New Zealand, and I’m so proud to be part of an event where we get to hear from these artists, and celebrate them. Best. Job. Ever.
ComicFest has been cancelled
Sorry, we are cancelling this Saturday’s ComicFest 2021 to keep everyone safe with the change in Covid-19 Alert levels. Thanks to our amazing and committed artists and sponsors, we will work together to discuss our future options for the events. While you’re at home, check out the amazing artists who have shared their stories on the ComicFest webpage. Thank you for your understanding. Kia kaha and stay safe!