Angoulême Comics Festival Likely Scrapped for 2026 Amidst Industry Boycott
Angoulême, France – The International Comics Festival (FIBD) in Angoulême is on the verge of cancellation for its 2026 edition, scheduled for January 29 to February 1, after the event’s organizing company, 9e art +, halted preparations.
In an email to partners, Noémie de La Soujeole, commercial director and responsible for protocol at 9e Art +, stated, “We inform you that the production of the 2026 edition of the Angoulême Festival has, to date, been stopped. We will come back to you very soon to provide you with more details. Thank you for your understanding.” This marks the first time the organization has signaled a potential abandonment of the festival, though it has not used the term “cancellation” officially.
The decision follows a period of escalating crisis,beginning with a summer boycott initiated by authors. This was subsequently joined by withdrawals from publishing houses and,ultimately,calls from public funders to suspend the next edition. 9e Art + has organized the festival since 2007 and has faced significant criticism from within the comics industry.
