The Angouleme International Comics Festival (FIBD) is set to return to the streets of Angoulême from March 17 to 20, 2022. Despite ongoing challenges posed by the global health crisis, the 49th edition aims to deliver an immersive and memorable experience for fans of the 9th art. Initially planned for January 27 to 30, the event was rescheduled to ensure a safer and more engaging festival.
A Hopeful Return to Tradition
The 2021 edition of FIBD faced significant disruptions due to the pandemic, resulting in a two-phase format that left some attendees feeling a sense of incompleteness. While highlights included awarding the Grand Prix to Chris Ware and a selection of exhibitions, the 2022 festival seeks to revitalize the magic and momentum of previous years.
This year’s excitement is encapsulated in three official posters created by celebrated artists Chris Ware, Japanese mangaka Jun Mayuzuki, and French author Fanny Michaëlis. These artworks symbolize the joyous reunion of comic strip creators, manga artists, and graphic novel enthusiasts from France and beyond.
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A Platform for Global and French Creativity
Founded in 1974, the FIBD has grown into a globally recognized celebration of comics, offering a platform to showcase French talent while welcoming artists from all over the world. The festival highlights the richness of the French-speaking comic scene while embracing international contributions.
FIBD 2022 Grand Prix: The Contenders
This year, three prominent comic book creators have emerged as finalists for the prestigious Grand Prix of the Angoulême International Comics Festival. Pénélope Bagieu, Julie Doucet, and Catherine Meurisse have been selected through a voting process involving professional comic book authors.
The Selection Process
The initial voting phase took place from February 21 to 27, 2022, marking the first time three female authors topped the shortlist. The second phase, conducted from March 2 to 8, invites the same group of professionals to choose the winner. The final result, overseen by a bailiff, will be announced on March 16, 2022.
Meet the Finalists
Penelope Bagieu
Born in 1982 in Paris, Penelope Bagieu is a versatile artist celebrated for her humorous and relatable storytelling. Her journey began with the cartoon blog Ma vie est tout à fait fascinante, which led to the creation of Josephine and the acclaimed biography California Dreamin’. Bagieu:’s groundbreaking work Culottées (translated as Brazen) portrays inspiring women throughout history, earning her international acclaim, including an Eisner Award in 2019. Her recent projects include adapting Roald Dahl’s The Witches and exploring autobiographical themes in Les Strates.
Julie Doucet
Julie Doucet, born in 1965 in Montreal, is a trailblazer in alternative comics. Her early work, Dirty Plotte, gained recognition for its raw and honest exploration of dreams, anxieties, and daily life. Published by Drawn & Quarterly, her comics have influenced a generation of feminist creators. Doucet now focuses on graphic arts, producing limited-edition silkscreen works. Anne-Elizabeth Moore’s book, Sweet Little Cunt: The Graphic Work of Julie Doucet, pays tribute to her legacy.
Catherine Meurisse
Catherine Meurisse, born in 1980, combines humor, literature, and art in her work. A survivor of the Charlie Hebdo attack, her graphic memoir La Légèreté reflects her journey of healing through creativity. Meurisse’s portfolio includes Le Pont des arts and Les Grands Espaces, which explore themes of memory, nature, and human connection. In 2020, she became the first comic book artist elected to the Académie des Beaux-Arts, cementing her influence in both the comic and fine art worlds.
A Celebration of Comics and Culture
The FIBD 2022 promises to unite artists, fans, and industry professionals in a vibrant celebration of comics, manga, and graphic novels. With a diverse program of exhibitions, panels, and awards, this year’s festival is set to rekindle the enthusiasm and creativity that make Angoulême a global hub for the comic arts.
Don’t miss the chance to experience the magic of FIBD 2022 and join the celebration of storytelling, artistry, and cultural exchange.
Julie Doucet: The 2022 FIBD Grand Prix Winner
The prestigious Angoulême International Comics Festival (FIBD) crowned Canadian artist Julie Doucet as the Grand Prix winner of its 49th edition in 2022. Doucet follows notable recipients such as American Chris Ware (2021) and French artist Emmanuel Guibert (2020). This year’s vote brought together 1,820 comic book authors, recognizing Doucet for her lasting influence and groundbreaking contributions to the comics world.
A Career That Transcends Time
Remarkably, Julie Doucet’s last comic strip, Dirty Plotte, was published in 1999—22 years before this honor. Her win echoes the 2014 award given to Bill Watterson, creator of Calvin and Hobbes, who had stopped creating comics 19 years prior. This recognition underscores how truly influential and enduring Doucet’s work has been.
Doucet’s oeuvre continues to inspire creators worldwide. Her anthology, Maxiplotte, released in 2021 by L’Association, reintroduced her subversive and radical works to a new generation. The collection, a part of the Heritage Selection at FIBD 2022, showcases her bold storytelling and distinctive artistic style.
A Pioneer of Autobiographical Comics
Between 1987 and 1999, Doucet’s comics, especially the 12 issues of the legendary Dirty Plotte, revolutionized autobiographical storytelling. With a raw and unapologetic approach, she explored personal themes—from dreams and nightmares to menstruation, gender identity, and sexual fantasies. Her radical feminist perspective broke taboos, giving voice to topics rarely addressed in comics.
Her signature art style—simultaneously gritty and elegantly detailed—set her apart. Doucet’s work resonated with readers and creators alike, influencing generations in North America, Europe, and beyond.
Global Impact on Comics
Julie Doucet’s reach extends far beyond her native Canada. In the early 1990s, her work caught the attention of major players in the U.S. comics scene. Her contributions were featured in iconic publications like Weirdo (published by Robert Crumb) and Wimmen’s Comix. She received the Harvey Award for Best Young Talent in 1991 and was celebrated by luminaries such as Art Spiegelman, Charles Burns, and Gabrielle Bell.
In Europe, Doucet’s influence was equally significant. She became a prominent figure in French-language comics, collaborating with groundbreaking publishers like L’Association. Her autobiographical style paved the way for a wave of creators in the 2000s, many of whom cite her as a foundational influence.
Why Julie Doucet Deserves the FIBD Grand Prix
The FIBD Grand Prix honors a lifetime achievement in comics, and Doucet’s career perfectly embodies this ethos. Although she stepped away from creating comics in 2006, her impact remains undeniable. Her artistic explorations now include illustration, collage, and graphic poetry, showcasing her versatile creativity.
Doucet’s groundbreaking contributions to the medium—from her role in the emergence of autofiction in comics to her influence on alternative and underground movements—make her an ideal Grand Prix recipient. Her work highlights the diversity of French-language comics, emphasizing that they thrive not only in Europe but globally.
A Future of Possibilities
While Julie Doucet has expressed little interest in accolades, her recognition by the FIBD reignites attention to her legacy. The possibility of an exhibition or new publications inspired by her win could introduce her work to even broader audiences. Her anthology Maxiplotte has already garnered significant acclaim, and her influence continues to shape the comics world.
FIBD: Raja Regrets Rejection of “Principled” Price Support by the Jury
The Raja Eco-Fauve Prize, set to debut at the upcoming Angoulême International Comics Festival (FIBD), has sparked significant controversy. Criticism of the prize—accused of promoting the festival’s corporate sponsor, Raja—led to the withdrawal of jury members and authors from the selection. In response, Raja expressed regret over the rejection “on principle” of corporate support for such an award.
Controversy Surrounding the Raja Eco-Fauve Prize
The Raja Eco-Fauve Prize was established to honor comics addressing ecological themes, aligning with FIBD’s emphasis on environmental consciousness. However, the entire jury for the award—including Camille Étienne, Roland Lehoucq, Inès Léraud, François Olislaeger, and Sophie Szopa—resigned on February 9. They stated their objection to associating an industrial company like Raja, a multinational packaging firm, with an eco-conscious prize. According to their joint statement, such a partnership appeared to serve as a means of corporate promotion rather than genuine ecological commitment.
“We discovered after the fact that the prize’s name was linked to a business sponsor, which was not disclosed when we were invited to participate.” This reaction reflected more general concerns. Regarding potential “greenwashing” efforts by corporations seeking to enhance their public image.
Authors Follow Suit in Protest
The jury’s stance inspired several nominated authors to withdraw their works from the competition. Prominent names like Étienne Lécroart, Ivar Ekeland, Étienne Davodeau, Christophe Blain, and Jean-Marc Jancovici announced their decisions to remove their albums from the Raja Eco-Fauve selection.
While the FIBD regretted these developments, the festival noted that jury members were fully informed about Raja’s sponsorship from the outset. “Using artists to enhance a company’s image is neither appropriate nor necessary,” remarked François Olislaeger, one of the jury members.
Raja Responds to the Backlash
In a public statement, Raja addressed the controversy, expressing disappointment over the jury’s decision. According to the organization, “It seems incompatible with the expectations of citizens who call for greater corporate social responsibility to reject the support of any company on principle.”
Raja highlighted its longstanding commitment to environmental sustainability, citing initiatives like its “Purchasing and Sustainable Development Charter.” The company noted that 65% of its product sales comprise eco-responsible items, with a target of reaching 75% by 2024. Additionally, 86% of Raja’s products are manufactured in Europe, further underscoring its efforts to reduce environmental impact.
Despite the criticism, the four remaining authors in the Eco-Fauve Raja selection have decided to stay in the competition, signaling a divide in perspectives among participants.
FIBD 2022 Highlights: France Televisions’ Role
Beyond the Raja Eco-Fauve controversy, FIBD 2022 promises an exciting lineup of events and media coverage. France Télévisions, a long-standing partner of the festival, will air exclusive programs from March 17 to 20. These include theme evenings, documentaries, illustrated concerts, and previews. Notable features include Enki Bilal, Souvenirs du Futur, a documentary offering an intimate glimpse into Enki Bilal’s creative process.
Additionally, the much-anticipated new season of Lastman Heroes will debut at the festival. This animated series, inspired by Bastien Vivès’ work, will showcase six 45-minute episodes and is set to stream on France.tv Slash.
FIBD: An Environmental Award or a Marketing Tool for the Packaging Industry?
The Angouleme International Comics Festival (FIBD) has recently garnered attention for its association with Raja, an industrial giant in the packaging sector, known for its expertise in cardboard, plastic, and machinery. In just a few years, Raja has become a major sponsor of the festival, and this year, the company’s name is prominently tied to a new award – the Éco-Fauve Raja, which is aimed at recognizing comics with an ecological theme. However, the introduction of this prize has sparked controversy, particularly regarding the connection between an environmental award and a company specializing in packaging.
Initially, the Prix Tournesol, which has been awarded since 1997 to comics with ecological themes, already exists on the periphery of the festival. The Prix Tournesol, supported by the French political party EELV (Europe Écologie – Les Verts), has long recognized comics tackling environmental topics. This raises the question: why create a new prize instead of collaborating with or promoting the existing Prix Tournesol more effectively? In response, the Festival’s organizers explained that the political association of the Prix Tournesol made it challenging to collaborate on the award.
A deeper controversy emerged when the jury members for the Éco-Fauve Raja voiced their concerns. The members of the jury expressed their surprise and disappointment at the prize’s association with Raja, a multinational packaging company. They felt it was inappropriate for an industrial brand to be connected to an award recognizing ecological efforts, given the company’s involvement in the production of plastic and cardboard packaging. On social media, the jury publicly criticized the decision, saying that they were unaware of Raja’s involvement until after their invitations to the jury were issued. They claimed they had not been informed of the sponsorship or the brand’s direct link to the award, which seemed at odds with the environmental message of the prize.
In an attempt to address their concerns, the jury members proposed that Raja’s name be removed from the title of the prize. However, after their request was rejected, the jury members decided to step down from their roles. They issued a public statement explaining their reasons for withdrawing from the festival, citing the uncomfortable association between the packaging company and the environmental award.
The FIBD organizers responded by acknowledging the jury’s decision and announcing plans to appoint a new jury to select the winner of the award. They emphasized that all members of the original jury had been aware of Raja’s sponsorship of the prize from the outset, with written communication about this partnership occurring as early as October.
The festival’s organizers also pointed out that the Éco-Fauve Raja was a Festival initiative, supported by Raja as a sponsor. They expressed that, as a cultural event, the festival aims to unite different stakeholders and doesn’t automatically exclude companies that wish to support initiatives promoting comics or ecological themes. They defended their approach, stating that they believe businesses can engage in promoting such causes with sincerity.
Despite the festival’s defense of its actions, the situation remains controversial. The controversy highlights the ongoing tension between environmental advocacy and the role of large industrial sponsors in cultural and public events. For FIBD, the Éco-Fauve Raja represents an attempt to integrate ecological themes into comics, but it also brings attention to the challenges of reconciling sponsorship from industries with interests that may not fully align with the values they wish to promote.
Ultimately, the Éco-Fauve Raja prize raises important questions about the influence of corporate sponsors in cultural events and whether their involvement can genuinely support ecological causes or whether it risks turning an environmental initiative into a marketing strategy for the companies behind it.
Final Remarks
The controversies surrounding the Raja Eco-Fauve Prize reflect the complexities of integrating corporate sponsorship with artistic endeavors. As FIBD 2022 unfolds, it will remain a pivotal event, showcasing the intersection of creativity, environmental consciousness, and the evolving role of corporate partnerships in the arts.
FAQs about FIBD
What is the Raja Eco-Fauve Prize? The Raja Eco-Fauve Prize is an award introduced at FIBD 2022 to recognize comics that explore ecological themes. It is sponsored by Raja, a multinational packaging company.
Why did the jury resign from the Raja Eco-Fauve Prize? The jury members objected to the association of an industrial brand with an eco-conscious award, perceiving it as a potential act of greenwashing.
Which writers removed their pieces from consideration for the prize?Authors like Étienne Lécroart, Ivar Ekeland, Étienne Davodeau, Christophe Blain, and Jean-Marc Jancovici withdrew their albums from the competition.
What is Raja’s stance on the controversy? Raja expressed regret over the rejection and emphasized its commitment to sustainability through various initiatives and eco-friendly product offerings.
What other highlights can we expect from FIBD 2022? FIBD 2022 will feature exclusive events and media coverage, including a documentary on Enki Bilal and the premiere of the new season of Lastman Heroes.
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