Comics Clock Tower 2020: Applications Invited

We are delighted to invite applications from exhibitors who would like to feature in our Comics Clock Tower at the eighth Lakes International Comic Art Festival in Kendal.

This year’s Festival will run from Friday 9th to Sunday 11th October 2020, with the Comics Clock Tower at Kendal Town Hall open for business as usual on the Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the venue will again be free.

Lakes International Comic Art Festival launches UK Development Agency for Comics

 The Lakes International Comic Art Festival (LICAF) is proud to announce it has formalised its role as the UK Development Agency for Comics.

The new Agency for Comics will be based in Barrow-in-Furness, where the Government and private sector is investing in a bold programme of cultural renewal.

The announcement was made at a reception held in the UK’s House of Commons yesterday, Wednesday 30th April, hosted by Tim Farron MP, to celebrate UK comics.

Paul Hamlyn Foundation reaffirms support for Comic Potential Project with new funding

The Paul Hamlyn Foundation has reaffirmed its support for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival’s Comic Potential with further funding, a project created in partnership with Northwest-based education partners.

Make Mine Manga Exhibition Back on Tour

The free Make Mine Manga exhibition, curated by comics expert Paul Gravett, a project led by the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, is back on the road in coming months.

British Comics Now Delegation to Brussels Announced

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival has announced the creators forming its latest British Comics Now delegation, who will be heading to Brussels in October for a special weekend of Ninth Art events.

LICAF has also revealed the creators who will feature in its first British Comics Now catalogue, a selection of exciting new work by UK-based creators.  

Lakes International Comic Art Festival launches the 2025 “Sophie Castille Award – English” for Comics in Translation

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is pleased to announce the 2025 Sophie Castille Awards for Comics in Translation – English. This year’s award will again be presented in partnership with VIP Brands, Ltd, Comica and the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, at the Festival’s annual ceremony in Bowness-on-Windermere on Saturday, 27th September 2025.

Shelly Bond

Comic Book Editor Shelly Bond has been throwing red ink at comics all-stars and up-and-comers for over three decades including 22 years at Vertigo/DC Comics working with Grant Morrison on The Invisibles, artist Mark Buckingham on Fables, and the comics-to-television series Bodies and iZombie. Currently, Shelly edits the multiple Eisner Award-winning series, Bitter Root, and teaches Comics Editing at Portland State University. 

Shubbak Festival features "Enter the Mulberry Tree and Fly Free" exhibition

Shubbak, the UK's largest festival of contemporary Arab cultures, returns to London next month, running 23rd May until 15th June 2025, bringing new and unexpected voices alongside established artists to audiences across the capital.

Returning this year with an insistence on art in the face of crisis, Shubbak Festival includes the "Enter the Mulberry Tree and Fly Free" exhibition, running Tuesday 27th May - Monday 9th June 2025 at Grand Junction, Rowington Close.

Lakes International Comic Arts Festival partners with Comic Book UK

The Lakes International Comic Art Festival is delighted to announce that it will work in partnership with Comic Book UK, a new comic trade association, to promote the social value of comics and create opportunities for people from all backgrounds to engage in comic arts. 

As the only comics organisation in Arts Council England’s (ACE) National Portfolio of regularly funded organisations, LICAF creates opportunities for people from all backgrounds to engage in comic arts.  

2025 Guest News Coming Soon!

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Our events will include live draws, interviews, presentations, workshops, exhibitions, book launches, Little LICAF activities, a Comics Marketplace, our second International Comics Rights Market – and provide a chance to get up close to the best comic creators in the world!