Comicfest 2015

I'm tapping this out on grueling Airport WiFi so please forgive the cut and pastery below.

This week I'll be involved in the second Comicfest event at the Wellington Public Library. On Friday I'll be taking part in a panel discussion with Tim Bollinger, Jonathan King and Tim Gibson. On Saturday I'll be moderating a panel on New Zealand Women's Comics with the Editors of Three Words, Rae Joyce, Sarah Laing and Indira Neville.

Samples of Noel Cook's work from 1920's- 1940's.

The Wellington Library is currently displaying an exhibition featuring the breadth of New Zealand cartoonist Noel Cook's career from his early days working post WW1 in Auckland through to his work in England in the 1960's.

All the events of Comicfest are listed below including ones that may have already happened.

Wellington City Libraries and GRAPHIC comic store are once again joining forces to celebrate international Free Comic Book Day. From workshop and panel discussions with leading cartoonists, to costume and Manga competitions, exhibitions and free comic giveaways - there's something for comic lovers of all ages!

Here’s a summary of this year’s expanded programme featuring many of New Zealand’s best cartoonists with Sarah Laing, Tim Gibson, Matt Emery, Rae Joyce, Jonathan King, Sharon Murdoch, Toby Morris, Cory Mathis, Tim Bollinger, Indira Neville and Weta’s Chris Guise attending!

http://www.wcl.govt.nz/comicfest/

ComicFest 2015 programme:

Exhibitions throughout ComicFest
- Noel Cook: New Zealand’s Comic Pioneer (1st Floor, Central library)
- The 12 Cartoonists of ComicFest 2015 (Ground floor, Central library)
- Find our life size Captain Haddock statue!

Wednesday 29th of April
6 – 8.00pm | Free mystery Comic film!
Come along to our mystery comic-themed film at the Central library. We guarantee comic satisfaction and prizes at this once only ComicFest screening. Seating is limited to 50 only, so contact us at the Central library to book seats or email enquiries@wcl.govt.nz! (For Teens +)

Thursday 30th of April
6 – 7.00pm | Panel: From cartoons to comics
When is a cartoon a comic – New Zealand cartoonists and comic artists consider the relationship between the two and ask how this may be changing. Join this panel discussion including Sunday Star Times cartoonist Sharon Murdoch, comic artists and cartoonists Toby Morris and Cory Mathis, and comic writer and historian Tim Bollinger. Moderated by Alexander Turnbull Library cartoon librarian Melinda Johnston.
(Sponsored by Alexander Turnbull library)

7.15 – 8.00pm | Comicfest get together at MEOW
All are welcome to the 2nd annual Wellington ComicFest mixer at Meow café (9 Edward St, Te Aro). A great chance for graphic novel followers to meet with some of New Zealand’s best comic and cartoon talent! (18 years or older)
(Sponsored by Wellington City Libraries)

Friday 1st of May
5 – 6.30pm | Digital comics workshop with Tim Gibson
Tim Gibson is known as a digital pioneer in NZ comic’s circles with his successful ‘Moth City’ title performing well on international website Comixology. Join Tim for an hour and a half of insight into the planning, creation and distribution of a comic using current digital tools and insider tricks of the trade. For all ages and bring your tablet and stylus if you can!
(Sponsored by NZ Comic Con)

7 – 8.00pm | Panel: The current and future state of New Zealand comics
New Zealand comic artists and publishers discuss their work and the changing face of local comic book production. Panel discussion with Pikitia Press publisher and comics creator Matt Emery, ‘Moth City’ creator and digital comics pioneer, Tim Gibson and film maker and comic artist, Jonathan King. Moderated by Wellington cartoonist and comics historian, Tim Bollinger. Attend this panel and enter the draw to win a Pikitia comics prize pack!
(Sponsored by Pikitia Press)

Saturday 2nd of May
Free comic book day
Grab your free comics from our stands, buy from the great folk at Graphic comic store and chat comics with our librarians. Dress as your favourite comic character and win prizes!

All day:
- Free comic book day
- World comics display
- Manga drawing competition
(Sponsored by GRAPHIC comics)

10 – 11.30am | Comics 101 workshop with Sarah Laing
Sarah Laing (Let Me be Frank, cartoonist and novelist) has unique insight into what is required to make successful prose, comics and cartoons. Bring pen and papers along as Sarah imparts tips on the important relation between pictures and words, the value of honest drawing, emotion and story-telling. All ages.
(Sponsored by NZ book council)

11.30am – 12.00pm | Cosplay competition
Winners will be announced for the best ComicFest costume! Prizes for all categories, including children, teens, and adults.
(Sponsored by Unity books)

12 – 1.00pm | ‘Tintin – the journey from comic to film’
Let Tintin and Weta Workshop lead conceptual designer, Chris Guise take you through the process of transforming a much-loved comic into the successful film version of, ‘The adventures of Tintin – the secret of the Unicorn.’ Chris will guide you through this multi-media journey with slides and videos and don’t forget to have your questions ready for Q&A.

1 – 2.00pm | Panel: New Zealand Women’s Comics with the editors of Three Words
Join cartoonist and Let Me Be Frank creator Sarah Laing, award winning graphic poet Rae Joyce, and comics maker and editor Indira Neville in a panel discussion on the rich history and future of New Zealand’s female cartoonists and comics. Sarah, Rae, and Indira will also discuss the genesis and work behind assembling Three Words, a forthcoming comprehensive anthology of New Zealand Women’s Comics. Moderated by cartoonist Matt Emery.
(Sponsored by NZ book council)

2.00 – 2.15pm | Comicfest announces winners for the Manga drawing competition

Don’t forget your free comics posters courtesy of GRAPHIC comic store!

All events are free and unless stated otherwise, open to participants of all ages.

2014 in Review: Rae Joyce

What have been your personal cartooning/comics highlights of 2014?
~ Being selected to participate in the NZ Book Council in association with PANZ graphic novelist exchange with Taiwan - #NZatTIBE - is certainly a personal highlight of 2014.

~ Forging a niche as the first graphic poet to have work published in the literary journals Two Thirds North (Uni of Stockholm), Thrush Poetry Journal, Poetry Bus (Money Issue), and Hermeneutic Chaos Literary Journal.

~ Taking a photo of the cartoon illustrated street sign for Bash Street in Dundee, when I was over as a finalist in the Dundee International Book Prize in October.

~ Co-editing the anthology of New Zealand women's comics and cartoons Three Words, with Indira Neville and Sarah Laing.

What are some of the comics you've enjoyed in 2014?
~ Co-editing Three Words has introduced me to some amazing and new-to-me work by New Zealand cartoonists, including the surreal mini-comics of Margaret Silverwood: "Utopia Now" "Waldoland" and "Paradise Lost"; and the pieces created for the anthology are outstanding, a particular favourite being Adele Jackson's personal family history comic.

What is something non-comics that you have enjoyed in 2014?
~ I enjoyed having my unpublished novel highly praised by last year's Booker Prize judge Stuart Kelly. Woop woop - sucking in all the self-esteem boosts I can get!

~My kids are generally awesome - 13 y/o daughter started her rookie lifeguard training this year and 6 y/o son learnt to read fluently - and they give the best hugs (which are in demand for a woman working in the NZ comics scene).

What are you looking forward to in 2015?
~ Exhibiting work in the Taipei International Book Fair, taking part in workshops there and finishing the rest of the graphic novelists exchange residency.

~ Getting better aquainted with Tim Gibson and Ant Sang and out Taiwanese colleagues, Ahn Zhe, 61Chi, and Chuang Yung-shin.

~ Launching Three Words!

Snow Like Thought