Supporting Diversity in Comics: A Statement by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is a celebration of the comic art form in all its genres, styles and creative forms. The Festival exists to progress the comic art form, support the industry and to deliver an amazing festival experience for our visitors. We are now in our fifth year and each year we work hard to improve and build on what’s working and learn from the feedback we have received.

This year, we have been challenged over our approach to diversity, specifically race and religion. The Festival is of course concerned that such comments have been made.

We would like to reassure all our visitors and guests that we are committed and proactive in behaving fairly to all people and embrace the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act 2010 - age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation. 

We take proactive steps each year to ensure we are representing the diversity of comics and reaching new audiences. That said, we know we can always improve and we would welcome the opportunity to talk to any comic creators or interested groups who can suggest ways we can improve further in 2018. 

We are always keen to address issues raised and tackle any matters that need to be addressed. 

The Festival deeply regrets that the wording of some comments made over the weekend on social media caused offence. 

We always welcome your feedback. We are a small passionate team committed to delivering an amazing festival - thank you for your support.

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival Team

• An apology from Julie Tait, Director and The Lakes International Comic Art Festival


About the Lakes International Comic Art Festival

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival returns for its fifth year to Kendal, Cumbria this weekend, from 13th to 15th October 2017. Celebrating comic art from across the world, the weekend festival takes over the town of Kendal, on the edge of the Lake District.

The festival brings the biggest names in comic art to Cumbria with over 70 special guests from across the comic world. This year, artists, creators and writers from Japan, the US, Canada, Australia, Finland, as well as European comic creators will take part in the festival.

• The full programme of events is now live on the Festival web site, along with details about its new Weekend Pass

• Buy your tickets for the fifth Lakes International Comic Art Festival here

• Web: www.comicartfestival.com | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Podcast | View the Festival Programme on Issuu | Download the Programme (PDF)

• Download the Comics Festival app from iTunes here (requires iOS 10.3 or later. Compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch)