The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is delighted to present LICAF LIVE a free festival of comic art wonders from across the world from October 9 -11, 2020.
LICAF has brought together some of the biggest names and rising stars from the comic art world, including creators, writers and artists from all genres of comic art to share their creative talent.
The festival is accessible online at www.comicartfestival.com and is free for all participants. The festival is bringing together over fifty five artists from countries including Finland, Italy, Czech Republic, France, Japan, Iceland, the UK, US and more.
The online festival LICAF Live features live draws, comic collaborations, films, daft comic challenges, masterclasses, discussions, expert talks and showcases the latest technology in our future of comics strand. What’s more we have a packed and extensive Little LICAF strand with comic workshops and advice for budding youngsters, schools and the next generation of comic artists.
Announced guests include Charlie Adlard, Yomi Ayeni, Sayra Begum, Hannah Berry, Paul Cornell, Gemma Correll, Robert Deas, Hugleikur Dagsson, Elyon’s, Dave Gibbons, Dave McKean, Luke McGarry, Ken Niimura, Paul Gravett, Marc Jackson, Nicola Jennings, Chie Kutsuwada, Sarah McIntyre, Junko Mizuno, Sean Phillips, Tanya Roberts, Julie Rocheleau, Martin Rowson, Posy Simmonds – and many, many more.
Festival Director, Julie Tait said: “It’s a fantastic line-up and we’ve been blown away by the support from comic creators, publishers and the partnership support from Lenovo. LICAF LIVE is providing an opportunity to introduce some artists and writers to the Lakes Festival experience for the very first time, and already prompting ideas for further international collaborations. We can’t wait to share some of our amazing content and see how our audiences react to our live comic events.”
LICAF LIVE’s packed events programme will include…
Showing Off – a range of live draws and challenges including creators from locations as far-flung as Japan, Finland and the United States.
Drawing on Japan – with Junko Mizuno (USA/Japan), Ken Niimura (Spain/Japan), Emma Vieceli (UK) and Petteri Tikannen (Finland), who will draw on their inspirations from Japan to create an original piece of art for LICAF LIVE.
Pass the Panel – multiple artists are challenged to create a collaborative story. Taking turns, each of them will draw a panel of a new comic story, passing from one to the next until the story is complete. The finished strip could be tragic, silly, profound or hilarious. “The only thing we can safely predict,” enthuses Festival Director Julie Tait, “is that watching it take shape will be utterly mesmerising!”
Live Cartoon Challenge with Luke McGarry – Live from Los Angeles and featuring special cartoonist guests, no challenge is too great for this award-winning, go-to designer and cartoonist.
Comic Creator Interviews – live and recorded, including ‘Desert Island Comics’ – five comics, a favourite snack and a luxury item – what would you take to a desert island?
Infinity and Beyond: from digital comics to Virtual Reality and beyond – a special section of LICAF LIVE devoted to how technology is pushing the boundaries of comics.
‘Through the Comics Keyhole’, celebrity comics collectors take us into their homes and show us their prized possessions!
‘Comics, Clouds and Kendal Mint Cake’, examining why the Lake District is such a great place to inspire artists, and to read comics.
The Virtual Comics Clock Tower, promoting creators, publishers and retailers – specifically supporting independent creators. There will be no charge to those creators chosen to be included in the virtual marketplace.
LITTLE LICAF LIVE, designed especially for kids (12 and under) and families – a wonderland of workshops, downloadable resources, readings and more.
Special Announcements will include the new Comics Laureate for 2021/23 and the winner of the LICAF Space Comic Challenge.
The launching of key books such as LICAF’s own project, Breakthrough anthology – and announcing the winner of the Myriad First Graphic Novel Competition
Interactivities – quizzes, personality tests, exhibitions, audience participation events.
The live ‘Big Comics Pub Quiz’ – with virtual Festival goers able to compete by yourself or form a team. Suitable for comics fans of all ages, with rounds ranging from Disney characters to the history of comics, to Outer Space, there will be prizes for the winners, plus the immortal accolade: Comics Cleverclogs 2020!
‘Daft as a Brush’ – cartoonists from Denmark, Iceland, the UK and USA each tackle five crazy cartoon challenges live and pre-recorded for your delight and delectation!
Free Creator Workshops to provide more support for aspiring creators and for existing creators to expand and refresh their practice. Join comics creators Steven Appleby, Jason Chatfield, Ben Cullis, Joe Kelly, Joe and Luke McGarry, Tom Richmond, Lucy Sullivan, Tom Ward and Emma Vieceli to discover the tricks of the comic creating trade (Registration required, see the website for details)
For more information please visit www.comicartfestival.com.
