2024 Event Programme

Japanese publishing giant Kodansha is a leading producer of manga IP. In recent years, they have been developing licensing strategies that help to extend their IPs beyond manga to become iconic brands applied to consumer products and beyond. At the centre of the interview, discussions regarding the strategies behind the crossover of Kodansha content and consumer product development, the wave of major international trends around manga, and enlighten the audience with interesting and current ones to follow.

From Bologna to the cover of The New York Times: what opportunities exist for young comic artists and illustrators seeking careers overseas? How does one secure positions with some of the largest American magazines? This panel provides a practical guide for those aiming to launch international careers, drawing from the experiences of three young Italian talents who, starting in Bologna, are making names for themselves in the USA.

In the increasingly vibrant landscape of young adult comics, Jérémie Moreau is single handedly creating a new paradigm. Striking a meticulous balance between fantasy and realism, tradition and experimentation, his comic books manage to talk to young readers about the uncertainty of a world marked by planetary emergencies, and to imagine the future that awaits us.

When we talk about comics we automatically think of France, Belgium, the United States, Japan... But Slovenia, guest country of Bologna Children's Book Fair 2024, is one of the most original and surprising hubs for European independent comics. This panel is both a conversation between Stripburger, whose magazine has been bringing the best of Slovenian comics to Europe and vice versa for more than 30 years, and comic artist Izar Lunacek, among the organizers of Tinta Comics Fest.

Comics Young Adult winner: Il racconto della roccia (The Tale Of The Stone), Coconino Press, Italy, 2023, Text and Illustrations by BeneDì (Benedetta D'Incau).

Comics Early Reader winner: Comment naissent les arbres (How Trees Are Born), La Martinière Jeunesse, France, 2023, Text and Illustrations by Charles Berbérian.

Comics Middle Grade winner: Les Pissenlits (Dandelions), Éditions Sarbacane, France, 2022, Text and Illustrations by Nina Six.

Young adult comics continue to be one of the fastest growing sectors in this industry. How to choose and publish graphic novels that can speak directly to teenagers and appeal to young readers? Three publishers, who are also artists and writers themselves, responsible for some of the best comic book series in Europe, explain how they managed to reach one of the most coveted audiences in the market.

The Canadian comics scene is rich, interesting, and of quality. Canadian production is well received in the market. Let’s talk with the protagonists.