After last year’s very successful launch the Enniskillen ComicFest returns on 5th and 6th May 2017, bigger and better, to celebrate all aspects of storytelling and sequential art. ComicFest 2016 proved that there was a great demand for an event of this type in the Enniskillen area.
Comics currently enjoy a very high profile with many titles regularly topping literary sales charts, and both television shows and films based on comics growing ever more successful. Related subjects like animation and computer games are booming industries.
Our schools programme last year was very popular as Moving Image and Creative Media attract more and more students who want to pursue a career in these industries and want first hand information in storyboarding, storytelling, digital art and character design. Primary schools and Enniskillen library also saw comics as a fun way of engaging children and encouraging them to read. The Library now has a special section for graphic novels and comic collections.
Over twenty Writers and Artists from across the UK and Ireland will be attending ComicFest 2017 and guests of honour include John Wagner and Carlos Ezquerra, the creators of Judge Dredd; Steve MacManus, legendary editor of 2000AD; and Marvel and DC artist Yanick Paquette. Also among the guests is Nigel Parkinson who draws Dennis The Menace and Minnie The Minx for the Beano.
The highly regarded British comic 2000AD is celebrating its 40th Anniversary this year. We are very proud to announce that the Enniskillen ComicFest has been awarded Official Status by 2000AD publishers Rebellion and the Fermanagh Film Club will be having a special screening of the acclaimed documentary Future Shock!: The Story Of 2000AD on Wednesday 3rd May in Fermanagh House. Tickets will be available on the door. Friday 5th May features our Schools Programme with the attending professionals presenting a range of talks and running workshops in Enniskillen Library. Then on Friday evening ComicFest is proud to present A Celebration of 40 Years Of 2000AD in the Ardhowen Theatre where all our guest creators will be interviewed and video material screened. The audience will also be able to put questions to our 2000AD Guests. Tickets cost £8 and are available from the Ardhowen.
Our main event is taking place on Saturday 6th May and this year our venue will be Enniskillen Castle. Yes, a Comic Convention in a Castle! The event will run from 10am until 6pm and no ticket is required. All our guests will be signing and sketching everything from Dennis The Menace to Batman throughout the day and there will be a programme of panel discussions and interviews. This is also Free Comic Book Day and free comics will be available, one per visitor. There will also be costumed characters in attendance for photo opportunities, as well as independent comic creators, exhibitors, merchandise and back issue dealers. As a special treat for our younger visitors we will periodically be running a Hero Academy and a Princess Academy, where any young apprentice hero or princess can receive training through fun activities and games.
ComicFest 2017 will conclude with a charity auction with all proceeds going to the Horizon West Children’s Hospice. Last year we raised £2100 for this very important charity and we hope to increase on that this year.
Enniskillen ComicFest thanks the Arts Council For Northern Ireland, Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, Fermanagh Lakelands Tourism, Enniskillen Castle and Enniskillen Library for their support.
The Enniskillen ComicFest Team:
Chairman: Paul Trimble
Secretary: Aaron McVitty
Treasurer: Matthew Gault
Logistics: Chris Fawcett
Social Media Co-Ordinator: Stephen Trimble
Media Production: James Eames
