Angoulême Comics Festival Canceled Amidst Crisis,allegations of Sexual Assault
Angoulême,France – December 1,2025 – The 2026 Angoulême International Comics Festival (FIBD) has been officially and definitively canceled,organizers Company 9e Art+ announced Monday. The festival, scheduled to run from January 29 to February 1, will not take place due to insurmountable challenges following months of controversy and a widespread withdrawal of support.
The decision, communicated in a press release by lawyers Vincent Brenot and Ghislain Minaire, comes after a cascade of defections from authors, publishers, and financial backers. The festival has been embroiled in a deepening crisis for eleven months, marked by accusations of financial mismanagement, a problematic organizational culture, and increasing commercialization. These grievances were substantially compounded by the recent dismissal of an employee who reported being raped during the 2024 festival edition.
The cancellation marks a dramatic turn for the prestigious event, considered one of the most important gatherings in the global comics industry. The FIBD draws tens of thousands of attendees annually and serves as a crucial platform for launching new works and recognizing talent. Its absence will be keenly felt by artists, publishers, and fans alike, and raises serious questions about the future of the festival.
The unraveling began with growing concerns over financial opacity and what critics described as a toxic management style within Company 9e Art+, headed by Franck Bondoux. These concerns escalated with the allegations of sexual assault and the subsequent firing of the employee, prompting widespread condemnation and a boycott movement. Partners, one by one, publicly announced they would not participate in the 2026 edition, effectively making its continuation untenable.
