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THE BLOG AT THE CROSSROADS
BD & Comics Passion Returns May 24th to 27th!
Posted: May 4, 2012
After its hugely successful debut last October, once again London’s prestigious Institut Français hosts a packed, star-studded festival of comics, graphic novels and bandes dessinées, BD & Comics Passion in association with Comica Festival.
This year’s line-up spans from the wildest reaches of heroic fantasy, in the worlds of Thorgal and League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, to the cutting edge of politically charged graphic novels by David B. and Guy Delisle. With nearly thirty events including live drawing, talks, exhibitions, workshops, a drawing jam with cult chanteuse Mesparrow, and a dress-up party of Victorians vs. Decadents, this innovative festival will have something for everyone! And yes, every event is in English, merci beaucoup!
Join me on the opening night, Thursday May 24th, when I will hosting from 7-8.30pm a lively Reading Group who will discuss together over a glass a wine the remarkable albums of Iranian-born Marjane Satrapi: her powerful memoir Persepolis, as well as her bittersweet family story Chicken With Plums, and her account of women’s lives Embroideries. Tickets cost £5, and right after there will be a screening of the movie adaptation of Chicken With Plums, co-directed by Satrapi and not due for cinema release in the UK. For details and booking online click over to the BD & Comics Passion What’s On webpage.
After an afternoon of book signings, highlights of Friday evening, May 25th, include the prize ceremony for the festval’s two comics competitions, a drawing duo between Guy Delisle and Tom Gauld, and Jonathan Ross being interviewed about his love for comics and bandes dessinées. Saturday May 26th is the big, big day and night with workshops, films, signings, and another drawing duo between Jean-Louis Mourier and Luke Pearson on their shared passion for trolls. Add to this presentations by Pat Mills & Kevin O’Neill, David B. on his new book Best of Enemies, and Guy Delisle, winner of the best graphic novel of the year at the Angoulême International Comics Festival, followed by a drawing jam with French singer Mesparrow and a costume ball till 2am, and you have a stunning, unmissable programme.
There’s still plenty more to enjoy on Sunday May 27th, including a further talk by David B. on his use of dreams in his comics, a Masterclass with Karrie Fransman, a workshop for digital comics on iPad, and the first ever discussion in London by Thorgal illustrator Rosinski. I will be chairing a Q&A session with Nicolas Duval, director of the forthcoming animated adaptation of Régis Loisel’s dark take on Peter Pan, opening with the UK premiere of a 13 minute sneak preview, winner of the Best Short Film Award at the Paris International Fantastic Film Festival.
And this is far from everything at BD & Comics Passion, in fact there is so much going on, how do you choose? One solution is the great innovation this year of two super-value package deals on tickets, making the festival even more affordable. The Fan Pass gets you all five main events on Saturday for only £15, while The Addict Pass entitles you to an amazing ten top events over the festival’s four days for only £25! Book early to be sure of getting these bargain offers. Looking forward to seeing lots of you there!
Read The Blog At The Crossroads here.
