The International Animation Film and Comic Festival, “Cartoonist,” a major event from the late ’90s in Toulon and Paris, returns after a ten-year absence, this time in Nice, for a special 20th “anniversary” edition that promises to be exceptional and is largely crafted by locals from Nice.
If you are passionate about animated films and comics or just curious about the genre, the Cartoonist festival, celebrating its 20th anniversary in Nice, will delight you with a fabulous lineup.
At the origin of this project are two people from Nice, within a wonderful team, Anthony Michel and Olivier Gilbert, both passionate about these two worlds and happy that this event, which had its past in Toulon and Paris, can now be held in their own city.
An event that is likely to cause quite a stir among various communities such as gamers, cosplayers, and other manga lovers who wouldn’t miss this precious rendezvous for anything.
More than 20,000 people expected
During the last edition in Toulon in 2002, the festival attracted no fewer than 30,000 people, and over 50,000 in Paris. At that time, the “manga” phenomenon was not as developed. The festival hopes to welcome more than 20,000 people to properly mark its return.
Prestigious guests from around the world
Over twenty guests from all horizons, including manga/comic artists, directors, actors, voice actors, singers, composers, producers, and writers…
Our guest of honor, Shiori Teshirogi, is the author of the successful manga Saint Seiya – The Lost Canvas, a prequel to the iconic manga Knights of the Zodiac.
Patrick Sobral and Nadou, authors of the comic “Les Légendaires Origines,” which won the youth award at the International Angoulême Festival in 2013, will also be present.
3,500m² for unique exhibitions
Following the death of Shingo Araki, recognized as one of the greatest figures in Japanese animation and artist of the series Goldorak, among others, an unprecedented exhibition took place in Tokyo. The Cartoonist festival will host the entirety of his exhibited works for a unique tribute in Europe in the presence of his son and in partnership with the AB Productions group with the support of Toei Animation.
An exhibition from Grangel Studios, which participates in productions by Dreamworks and films by the dark yet poetic director Tim Burton (The Nightmare Before Christmas, Corpse Bride…), is planned, as well as an exhibition on the universe of the Star Wars saga. In total, at least a dozen significant exhibitions are planned.
1,030m² of performance space
Several shows are planned, including a concert featuring the greatest Japanese anime singers, conferences with our guests, screenings of unpublished animated films, and not less than 2 hours of show to select the French representative for the European cosplay competition (the art of dressing up as fictional characters, among others, from manga) whose final will take place in London in October.
Entry: 11 euros per day
Opening from 9 AM to 6 PM / tram station: Acropolis
All information on the website: https://www.cartoonist.fr
Interview with Olivier Gilbert,
Nice Premium: Olivier Gilbert, tell us about this International Film Animation and Comic Festival in Nice?
Olivier Gilbert: This festival was born within the framework of a study project 20 years ago, with the aim of being a bridge between artists and fans, through conferences, screenings, and contests.
It then developed over 10 years, first in Toulon every year, then a second annual edition took place in Brest, and due to the influx that could no longer be contained in the Brest festival hall, the decision was made to move it to Paris, while continuing the parallel festival in Toulon, because I didn’t want to concentrate everything in the capital.
In the last years, the festival had more than 30,000 visitors in Toulon and more than 50,000 in Paris.
It was the biggest festival in its field throughout its existence. Many famous Japanese guests made their first trip to France on the occasion of the festival.
NP: Why did you choose Nice after Toulon and Paris for this 20th anniversary?
OG: I was born in Nice and for the 20th anniversary, the festival had 2 choices, either to choose Paris or a city in the South. I preferred to favor the province because the festival was born and had its mythical anchor in Toulon. For various reasons, we did not wish to return to this city, and Nice with its wide range of hotels, its international airport, and its large convention center, naturally appeared as the new ideal location. Additionally, the city is highly appreciated in Japan, and it was also a way for us to convince our guests to come.
NP: What will we find at your Festival?
OG: French as well as Italian, Spanish, and especially Japanese artist stands; shops selling anything that might touch directly or indirectly to Asian culture, (DVDs, books, clothes), associations offering numerous activities both cultural and entertaining, masterclasses, various contests, a concert, exhibitions of original works, some of which are unpublished, a cosplay competition, which involves dressing up as manga characters among others, which will qualify the French representative for the European finals in London in October and many other surprises…
NP: Prestigious guests coming from all over the world?
OG: We expect nearly 25 guests from around the world, with a special focus on Japanese guests. They will answer fans’ questions and hold autograph sessions throughout the weekend.
We will have the opportunity to host, for example, Shiori Teshirogi who is the artist of the manga “Saint Seiya – The Lost Canvas,” a sequel to the well-known “Knights of the Zodiac.”
Kazuko Tadano who worked on the animation “Sailor Moon” or Masami Suda, who participated in the animated series “Fist of the North Star.”
But we will also have prestigious French guests, such as Bernard Deyries, director of “Inspector Gadget,” “Ulysses 31” or “Mysterious Cities of Gold,” and also Patrick Sobral and Nadou, who received this year for their comic “Les Légendaires Origines,” the youth award at the Angoulême festival.
NP: If I say Tim Burton or Star Wars?
OG: I would say Star Wars, even if Tim Burton’s films also please me a lot. With animated series like Harlock or Captain Future, space battles attract me more than that. On this note, a major exhibition on the Star Wars universe will be available to visitors during the event.
But not to forget Tim Burton fans, the “Grangel” Studio which participated in many of the director’s projects, will provide various creations from films like “Corpse Bride.”
NP: Lastly, what will make Cartoonist a great festival and make its organizers happy?
OG: This festival has been in preparation for over 2 years, it is the result of a long experience gained over the years. For this 20th anniversary, it’s somewhat the quintessence of all previous editions, which will hopefully make Cartoonist a success.
We hope the public will be there to meet all our guests in a festive atmosphere, visit the exhibitions, purchase official products at the stands, which are no longer found at other festivals today, and enjoy breathtaking shows in the vast Apollon hall, at the Acropolis convention center.
In essence, we will be happy if our goal of providing our visitors with an unforgettable weekend is achieved.
