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Angoulême Comics Festival Faces 2026 Boycott as Major Publishers Walk Out

Several leading publishers now say they will skip January 2026 after 9eArt+ was reconfirmed, with a 20 November joint‑plan deadline set by organizers.

Overview

  • Dargaud, Dupuis, Le Lombard, Kana, Urban Comics, Casterman and Gallimard BD told officials they will not attend the 2026 edition.
  • Glénat and Delcourt set an ultimatum to authorities for immediate changes or they will also withdraw.
  • More than 20 Grand Prix laureates warned the festival is “in danger of death” and called for removing 9eArt+ over opacity, commercial drift and management concerns.
  • The festival association reconducted 9eArt+ but required a partnership with the Cité de la BD, with a joint project due on 20 November that the Culture Ministry will review before taking a position.
  • The publishing union SNE expressed its “most serious concerns” about the opaque process and warned it may not participate from 2027 without transparency.