Angoulรชme Comics Festival Faces Leadership Transition, Shared Governance Proposal Fails too Resolve โขConflict
Angoulรชme, France โ- November 8, 2023, 6:59 PM CET – A proposal for shared management of the internationally renowned Angoulรชmeโ International Comics Festivalโ has been rejected by key financial backers, signaling a deepening rift over the festival’s future direction. โขThe New Aquitaine โคRegion, Charente departmental Council, Grand Angoulรชme intercommunality, and the city of โAngoulรชme-collectively providing up to 40% of the festival’s funding alongside the State-have acknowledged the decision, following theโ announced intention of current CEO Franck Bondoux to step down.
The rejectionโข of the shared governance model intensifies uncertainty surrounding the festival’s leadership and long-term viability. โThe festival, a cornerstone of France’s cultural landscape and a major economic driver for the Charente region, is now poised forโ a complete overhaul in its management โฃstructure. This advancement impacts comics professionals, publishers, attendees, and the local economy, โฃwith stakeholders awaiting โขclarity on the path forward. The festival’s future โขhinges on establishing a lasting model that addresses concernsโค about openness and inclusivity.
Bondoux, who has led the festival since 2009, โฃreiterated his โฃplanned departure by 2028 and firmly denied any intention of positioning hisโ daughter โas his successor. “I had difficulty being heard but I can only repeat it: I am not intended to stayโฃ beyond 2028 as CEO and my daughter is not intended to succeed me,” he stated, expressing a desire to re-open discussions with hisโ critics.
Established in 1974,theโข Angoulรชme Comics festival has grown โขinto one of the โขworld’s largest events dedicated to the art โof comics,attractingโค over โ200,000 visitors annually and generatingโ notable revenue for the region. The festival’s organizers now face the challenge ofโ charting a new course while maintainingโ its international prestige and cultural importance.