Our Mission

MCAF’s mission is to be a leading platform for the comic arts in Quebec and beyond, to broaden public knowledge of and engagement with the comic arts, and to promote cultural exchanges and interactions between creators, readers, and the public at large.
MCAF seeks to expand the role of the comic arts in the cultural sphere and to improve the dynamism of Quebec’s comic arts industry. MCAF will become a crossroads between Europe and America, a professional and bilingual organization which unifies the field’s players.

Our goals for 2021:

• Present the comic arts from both francophone and anglophone traditions and perspectives
• Create a meeting place for encounters, exchanges, and education
• Become an important source for information on comic arts in the digital space
• Promote Canadian and Quebecois comic arts internationally
• Promote Montreal as an international center for the comics arts
• Develop the social and educational potential of the comic arts

History

Founded in 2011, by François Mayeux and Myriam Lalumière, the Montreal Comic Arts Festival is a non-profit organization. MCAF is organized by a General Director supported by a committee of volunteers and contract workers. In 2019 MCAF was able to bring on a full-time Exhibitions and Special Events Coordinator, thanks to the support of Emploi Québec.

May 2022

After two years in virtual format, the 11th edition of the FBDM marked the return of a 100% in-person edition, which was a great success. For the first time (and certainly not the last), the festival was held on Saint-Denis Street, which was closed for the occasion between Gilford and Roy, for a total of 1.2 kilometers of exciting and reuniting events. No less than 80,000 people joined in the festivities to the delight of the 240 comic artists and 124 exhibitors, an surprising, but much appreciated record! All of the loyal and new visitors were able to enjoy three days of programming full of activities, round tables, exhibitions, numerous signings, and more! It was also the occasion to launch the first Manga Creation Exchange, in collaboration with O-Taku, and to renew with the 23rd Bédélys Awards in the flesh.

To mark this return to a « closer to normal » edition, a third publication of the FBDM | MCAF Press, Rencontres, brought together 23 artists around this appropriate theme.

The poster and the book’s cover are signed by Michel Rabagliati (La série Paul).

May 2021

It was under the threat of a certain virus that the 10th edition of the FBDM was held virtually for a second consecutive year. Nevertheless, the team redoubled its efforts and originality to offer this not-to-be-missed event to comics enthusiasts, with some 30 activities broadcasted on its virtual platforms.

In October, the FBDM also held its first university colloquium, Faire trembler les fondations, presented in collaboration with the Centre de recherches interdisciplinaires d’études montréalaises (CRIEM). This fruitful meeting between researchers and cartoonists allowed them to reflect on the contribution of the city in comics, and promises to develop research on the subject since it will be held every two years!

Comics are not only for the eyes, but also for the ears! Thus, the FBDM is launching the first season of its podcast Ligne de fond, to make artists from the Francophonie reflect and shine during a conversation.
The festival is now back in the publishing business with the release of a second book, X, celebrating its 10 years of existence thanks to the work of more than 20 dedicated artists.

The poster and the cover of the book are signed by Denis Rodier (La Bombe).

May 2020

The deep abyss of despair opened before the organizing committee when the idea of a 9th edition in person had to be abandoned, pandemic/social distancing obliges. But the tears quickly dried and, thanks to an increased team, we were able to deliver a 100% virtual version of the festival to the aficionados of the 9th art, present behind their screen. We broadcasted live content for eight hours straight, from Friday to Sunday. On the menu: dozens of roundtables, conversations, presentations and workshops, now all grouped under the Program tab on our site. It was during this edition that the very first game of Dungeons, Dragons & Drawings of the FBDM took place, and there will be many more as the festival offers content all year long. It was also during this edition that the FBDM presented the first ever virtual awards night in the history of the Bédélys Awards. The artists and comic fans were there in full force, despite the distance, and their pleasure was palpable. And the tears of joy were real!
Furthermore, COVID-19 did not hinder the success of the fundraising campaign and the publication of the very first book of the FBDM | MCAF Press, Lettres à Montréal, signed by 27 artists. And there will be many more books to come!

The poster and the cover of the book are signed by Axelle Lenoir (L’esprit du camp).

May 2019

For its 8th edition, the FBDM is changing its look… literally. A new logo, designed by Havas, highlights the bilingual side of the festival, which has made pink its official color. For the first time in its history, the FBDM has extended its programming outside of the three days of the festival in order to bring its experience to the activities planned for « Mai, Mois de la BD » with several partners. It is more than 12,000 people that visited the two big tents of the festival during the weekend, as well as more than 185 comics artists. On the program: more than 66 activities and 10 exhibitions are proposed, including the very popular Le Québec dans la BD internationale and the one dedicated to the project Rues de Montréal.

The poster is signed by Argentinian artist Liniers (Manacudo).

May 2018

For it’s seventh year, MCAF launched a series of events at the Grand Hall of Montreal City Hall. The rain didn’t keep nearly 11,500 comic book lovers from visiting the Festival’s iconic tents in La Fontaine Park to appreciate the work of over 170 cartoonists. This year’s programing was easy to navigate due to a convenient booklet that included all the details on the over 70 activities and 10 expositions MCAF presented.
This year’s poster was designed by  Meags Fitzgerald (Long Red Hair).

In the fall, MCAF organized a delegation of a dozen cartoonists to promote Quebecois comic arts at the Festival international de la BD d’Alger.

May 2017

MCAF joined forces with the team at PLANCHES to curate and present the outdoor exhibit Rues de Montréal, which brought together the work of 13 creators as part of the celebration of Montreal’s 375th anniversary. This project will be released as a book in May of 2019.
This year also saw MCAF nominated as a finalist for the prestigious Grand prix du Conseil des arts de Montréal. More than 12,000 visitors came to the Festival — which had grown to fill two enormous tents — to meet and greet with over 180 cartoonists and to attend 64 activities.
The 2017 poster was created by Boum (Boumeries).

May 2016

Attendance at the Festival topped 10,000 visitors for the first time, and an additional 45,000 people visited one of MCAF’s many expositions throughout the month of May. For the first time, cartoonists from the USA were included in the programing. More than 150 cartoonists were present, including a strong contingent of self-published creators who sold their creations from 28 tables. 1,200 people participated in the Festival’s programming, with over 50 events on offer.
This year’s double poster was designed by Jean-Paul Eid (La Femme aux cartes postales).

May 2015

This was the year that the Festival de BD Montréal became officially bilingual and unveiled its anglophone name: The Montreal Comic Arts Festival! The Festival held its first-ever press conference and became the first comic arts festival in Montreal history to be held for four consecutive years. Despite some unpleasant weather, over 6000 attendees crowded into our tents along with nearly 150 creators.
This year’s poster was designed by Seth (Palookaville).

May 2014

A delegation of Algerian cartoonists were among the 115 creators present at the Festival, to the great pleasure of over 8000 attendees.
This 2014 poster was designed by Jacques Ferrandez (Carnet d’Orient).

May 2013

Our second annual Festival attracted no less than 7000 visitors and some 120 cartoonists, including 11 international creators.
The creators of the Nombrils series, Delaf and Dubuc, drew this year’s poster.

May 2012

Over 5000 attendees and participants braved the rain to make it out to the inaugural Festival.
Michel Rabagliati (creator of the Paul series) designed the event’s poster.