Overview

• A petition signed by around 400 bande dessinée authors, including eight Grand Prix laureates, calls for a boycott of the 2026 Angoulême International Comics Festival.
• The authors oppose a proposed merger that would grant private operator 9e Art + and its CEO Franck Bondoux exclusive control of the festival.
• The petition highlights concerns over financial mismanagement, a €250,000 deficit in 2024, and allegations of workplace harassment under 9e Art + leadership.
• The French Culture Ministry has pledged to closely monitor the situation to prevent the festival's brand from being appropriated by private interests.
• A key board meeting is expected soon, with the petition organizers emphasizing that without artists' participation, the 2026 edition would be an 'empty shell.'