--> 29 January to 2 February 2025: 38 Featured Creations & 16 Visiting Hong Kong Comics Artists/ Illustrators
Watch drawing demonstrations by Hong Kong comics artists in real-time at one of the top three major overseas comics festivals in the world
--> February to May 2025: All the participating artists will be invited to share their exchange experiences and achievements with Hong Kong creators and readers
HONG KONG SAR - Media OutReach Newswire - 5 February 2025 - Reading comics is like embarking on a journey with wonders. Comics artists invite readers to step into an intricate realm where imagination and creativity know no bounds, and where scripts and visual elements harmoniously intertwine to weave fantastic stories that transcend words. ‘Comics made in Hong Kong’ are known for their rich variety of artistic styles and whimsical, captivating narratives. Hong Kong original comics are therefore well-liked by comics enthusiasts both locally and overseas.
【 Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base) 】, with sponsorship from the 【Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region】, is once again partnering with the【Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation】 to participate in the 52nd edition of the Angoulême International Festival in 2025. A remarkable and wonderful collection of 38 local mid-to-full-length comic and picture book titles has been showcased to represent Hong Kong. The showcased comics this time span various genres, ranging from action and adventure to sci-fi, fantasy, horror, and heart-warming, encompassing a wide spectrum of creative expressions and infinite possibilities. Some of the participating comic artists and illustrators recently received several international awards.
The Angoulême International Comics Festival is one of the most prestigious events in the European history. Crowds of visitors, comics enthusiasts of all ages and professions, flock to this annually. The 38 featured creations were selected from ‘The 1st to 3rd Hong Kong Comics Support Programme Book Series’ and ‘GO! Illustrators Series - The 1st Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme Series.’ Through this large-scale overseas exchange programme, the aim is to further highlight Hong Kong comics of high quality, meanwhile, to enhance the global recognition of local creators.
As the title suggests, the project aims to bring ‘waves of whimsical words’ abroad, allowing readers and practitioners from all over the world to explore the fascination of Hong Kong comics. During this event, we successfully attracted 200,000 visitors worldwide with Hong Kong’s local creativity. In addition, we actively sought overseas licensing opportunities in anticipation of more Hong Kong comics being translated into multiple languages and published afterwards. A wider readership with different linguistic and cultural backgrounds could see the infinite possibilities of Hong Kong’s creativity.
Reaffirming the commitment to promoting local talents and creativity globally, Hong Kong Arts Centre has led 16 talented Hong Kong artists to participate in the festival in person. They engaged in live-drawing demonstrations, book signing sessions, and sharing, meeting audience and comics professionals from all over the world.
The attendee from abroad expressed that he personally admires Hong Kong comic artist Shui-pan Wong. Meeting him in person in France this time, he was delighted to be able to purchase all of his books and obtain his autograph.
Hong Kong comic artist Bonnie Pang pointed out that Hong Kong comics often face challenges in reaching foreign readers or publishers, especially due to the language barrier with Chinese comics. This year, we made a new attempt by utilizing AI technology to create a French video for each invited creator, allowing them to personally introduce their works and leave a lasting impression on visitors.
Bonnie believes, “This event has been most helpful to Hong Kong comic artists by directly bringing everyone’s works to overseas markets, reaching more foreign readers. The licensing market and various exchange activities promote collaboration opportunities. Additionally, experiencing the atmosphere of the comic festival in person and seeing a large number of comics in different styles broadens our horizons and gives us more inspiration and creative motivation.”
Hong Kong comic artist Pen SO, who participated in the exhibition, believes that one of the challenges Hong Kong comic artists face when going international is the issue of networking. This event could help them secure publishing opportunities, establish connections, and provide creative inspiration. Additionally, being sponsored by CCIDA for this event can lead Hong Kong comics towards the international market. He stated, “Although the rise of digital media has made it easier for our works to be exported overseas, publishers not only consider popularity, fame, and quality of work, but also the credibility of the artist. Artists need to know if foreign publishers are reliable. Therefore, the Hong Kong Arts Centre acts as an intermediary, helping us organize and resolve these issues.”
In addition to the popular booth at the Asian comics pavilion (Manga City) where we could engage with a large group of readers, the booth at the International Rights & Licensing Market offered a valuable opportunity for us to connect with international publishers and production houses of comic books and related art forms. This actively contributes to the development of Hong Kong comics.
Comics fans in Hong Kong could also follow comics artists’ social media platforms to relive their on-site live drawing demonstrations, and feel the zest of of the world’s third-largest comic festival!
During February and May 2025, all the participating artists will be invited to share their exchange experiences and achievements with Hong Kong creators and readers. Professionals in the comics industry from other countries will be invited to introduce the trend of comics and other related creations in Europe and the United States. This initiative seeks to help Hong Kong creative talents expand their network and shine in the world arena!
Waves of Whimsical Words
Hong Kong Comics @The 52nd Angouleme International Comics Festival 2025 in France
Organiser: Hong Kong Arts Centre (Comix Home Base)
Co-organiser: Hong Kong Comics and Animation Federation
Lead Sponsor: Cultural and Creative Industries Development Agency, the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region
Supporter: Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Brussels
In Association with: Innovative Entrepreneur Association, Angoulême International Comics Festival
Special Thanks: La Boîte à Bulles, Editions Paquet, Asian District éditions
2023/24 & 2024/25 The Arts Talents Internship Matching Programme is supported by the Hong Kong Arts Development Council.
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Dates: 29.01. – 02.02.2025
Venue: Angoulême International Comics Festival, France
Venue: Manga City (Booth No. MC19/ Rue Jean Didelon)
Dates: 30.01-02.02.2025 (Thu-Sun)
Time: 30-31.01 1000-1900; 01.02 1000-2000; 02.02 1000-1800
Venue: International Rights & Licensing Market (Booth No. RL47/ Rue des Frères Lumières)
Dates: 29.01-01.02.2025 (Wed-Sat)
Time: 1000-1800
Festival admission ticket required
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16 Visiting Hong Kong Comics Artists/ Illustrators:
● Amy CHAI
● ARYU
● Kuma CHAN
● Karman CHIU
● CHIYA
● HIN
● ISATISSE
● Hei-lun IU
● Chi-kit KWONG
● Chi-tak LI
● Ben LIU
● Bonnie PANG
● Enoch SIN
● Pen SO
● WAI ON
● Shui-pan WONG
38 Featured Creations
The 1st to 3rd Hong Kong Comics Support Programme Book Series
● ARYU Lost in Red
● Cheuk-ka CHAN Chungyuan
● Kuma CHAN That Summer, The Glowing Monkey That Only I Could See
● Ling CHAU My Dear Patient No.44
● Chiu-lok CHEUNG In-between Crevices
● CHIYA Blend Dark and Light
● FCP La Revanche
● HIN Lullaby of the Untamed
● Chi-man HO Dai Fu
● Hei-lun IU Morning, Sean
● KAI Graffiti Sorcerer
● Chi-kit KWONG Indigo and The Architect’s Epiphany (French Edition)
● Chi-tak LI Heroes
● Ben LIU Down to Earth Hugo
● Linus LIU Cat Mask Boy (French Edition)
● LONHEI Étranger
● LOSZEHAHA The Shining Moment
● Tin-kit MARK MCF
● Bonnie PANG Chronos Express
● ROKU SAKAKI Q.
● SANDYPIG A Song of Freedom
● Enoch SIN God Bless You
● Pen SO Dali Libreria
● Sineko SO What the Muck: The End of the World
● Bobby TANG Man in The Box
● Taku TANG Collapse
● Three TO Soul People Deacon
● Man TSANG The Zeros (French Edition)
● Tai-po TSUI Soul in the Figure
● WAI ON Fear Of the Dark
● Jay WONG Tides of Time
● Shui-pan WONG Time Girl
● YIP WONG Phenomenon
● Yuen-wong YU Shepherd Café
GO! Illustrators Series - The 1st Hong Kong Picture Book Illustrators at International Book Fairs Promotion Scheme Series
● Amy CHAI A Butterfly that Lives 14 Days
● Karman CHIU Tears
● ISATISSE Just Close Your Eyes
Events
Presented by Hong Kong Arts Centre CHB
Live Drawing Demonstrations & Book Signing Sessions
Venue: Manga City (Booth No. MC 19)
Facebook: hkacchb | Instagram: @comixhomebase
