Two candidate bodies, 9eArt + (the current operator) and the Cit é Internationale de la Bande dessinée et de l’Image, must submit a joint project by late November to potentially reform the festival’s governance.

The managing association says a joint project between 9eArt + and the Cit é aims to boost transparency in festival governance and secure public funding support.

On November 8, 2025, the Angoulême International Comics Festival announced that the two bidding bodies should consider a merger or closer collaboration to present a unified plan.

A petition opposing the festival’s 53rd edition gathered about 2,300 signatures, including prominent Grand Prix winners, signaling broad artist opposition.

Support for a boycott reached roughly 2,300 signatures, underscoring significant artist dissent toward current management.

Since 2007, 9eArt +’s management has faced controversy over financial opacity, mercantile drift, and a staff dismissal tied to a 2024 rape incident at the festival.

The Guardian reports that the Angoulême festival is embroiled in management controversy under 9eArt +, with accusations of opacity and a terminated employee who lodged a rape complaint, fueling calls for leadership change and potential boycott.

Public funders and signatories of a boycott have pressured the festival to open its project to competition from 2028, with 9eArt + and the Cit é Internationale among the shortlisted bidders.

Funding bodies and notable creators, including Luz and Fabcaro, have pushed for leadership changes, contributing to the end of 9eArt +’s contract and the move to an open competitive process.

The festival is facing a crisis of boycott calls and demands for leadership reorganization.

Anouk Ricard, Grand Prix 2025 winner, announced she will boycott the next edition to demand leadership changes, reflecting broader tensions.

Earlier boycotts by prominent creators intensified calls for reform and transparency ahead of the next edition.