Celebrating its fifth birthday across three days and three new venues, ELCAF 2016 is back this weekend (10th – 12th June), offering an exciting roster of international cartoonists, picture book illustrators and digital creators, included in the mix are Adrian Tomine, Joelle Jolivet, Richard McGuire, Dieter Braun, Aardman Animations, Jan Batjlik, Isabel Greenberg and many more.
Founded by Nobrow in 2012, ELCAF (the East London Comic Art Festival) began as a small one day festival designed to showcase some of the most exciting works in comics and illustration. In only four years it has grown to become one of the leading festivals of its kind in the UK. Attracting over 3,000 visitors annually, ELCAF continues to spotlight emerging talent and celebrate the dynamic community of individual artists and collectives that are pushing the boundaries in their creative fields. We have seen an exciting growth in the field of comics and illustration, mediums which have moved from the peripheries into the mainstream focus. ELCAF is not only a platform for practitioners to have their work seen, but is a celebration of the art. Each year, ELCAF invites a selection of guest artists from across the world to deliver a programme of the highest calibre which include talks, exhibitions, masterclasses, and workshops for all ages.
ELCAF has welcomed 12,000 visitors over the last four years, and some 3,500 people have been attendees to the talk programmes. The not for profit organisation, which has an educational focus, working with local schools and organisations to promote comics and illustration in the community, also partners with arts institutions to run a series of satellite events before the festival.
Over 170 artists participating annually and ELCAF integrates a range of art practices into the festival for a fully immersive experience, including screenings and live performances and music by DJs from NTS radio and more.In four years they have worked with 350 exhibitors from the UK and abroad and its funds are re-invested to create more opportunities for arts and community events.
• For more information visit www.elcaf.co.uk | Follow ELCAF on Twitter @elcafest | Find ELCAF on Facebook | Instagram
• Get booking for all talks and check out the workshops on Festival’s events page
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The founder of downthetubes, which he established in 1998. John works as a comics and magazine editor, writer, and on promotional work for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival. He is currently editor of Star Trek Explorer, published by Titan – his third tour of duty on the title originally titled Star Trek Magazine.
Working in British comics publishing since the 1980s, his credits include editor of titles such as Doctor Who Magazine, Babylon 5 Magazine, and more. He also edited the comics anthology STRIP Magazine and edited several audio comics for ROK Comics. He has also edited several comic collections, including volumes of “Charley’s War” and “Dan Dare”.
He’s the writer of “Pilgrim: Secrets and Lies” for B7 Comics; “Crucible”, a creator-owned project with 2000AD artist Smuzz; and “Death Duty” and “Skow Dogs” with Dave Hailwood.
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