Overview
- A new steering committee of the FIBD, public funders and industry professionals will be installed on December 18 to run a transparent selection, with results due June 18.
- The association confirmed 9eArt+ will not be renewed beyond its current contract ending in 2027, ending a run as organiser that began in 2007.
- The move follows escalating boycott announcements by major publishers and many authors, as well as a warning from 22 Grand Prix laureates that the festival was in danger.
- Some editors and industry figures called the decision belated or a potential delaying tactic, and the mayor of Angoulême threatened to remove the event from the association’s control.
- Preparations for the 53rd edition scheduled for January 29–February 1 remain under pressure, with a separate judicial inquiry into past allegations still ongoing.