Sevrier BD — Annecy Lake Comics Festival

A Comics Festival Born by Lake Annecy

Created in 2013 by a handful of enthusiasts gathered within the association Sevrier Bande Dessinée, the Sevrier BD festival has become over a decade one of the major comics events in Haute-Savoie and the two Savoie regions. Every year in March, the Sevrier animation complex, located on the west bank of Lake Annecy, opens its doors to over 1,000 m² of exhibitions and events dedicated to the ninth art.

Driven by about twenty active volunteers led by president Antoine Dompnier and artistic director Gaëlle Coustier, the festival has grown year after year while maintaining a warm and accessible atmosphere. The founding objective remains unchanged: to celebrate comics in all its forms — Franco-Belgian, graphic novel, manga, comics, children's comics — and for all audiences, from the occasional reader to the seasoned collector.

The Prix Splash!: A Comics Literary Prize Driven by Readers

Sevrier BD's uniqueness lies in the Prix Splash! and the Prix Splash! junior, literary prizes awarded each year by popular vote. A selection committee comprising members of the association, the bookstore BDfugue café Annecy, and the Quai des Arts media library in Rumilly establishes a selection of titles published during the year — 8 albums for the adult/high school category and 6 for the children's category.

These selections are then submitted to the vote of thousands of readers in media libraries, middle schools, and high schools in Savoie and Haute-Savoie. Since 2023, the initiative has been extended to the Savoie department, strengthening the prize's territorial reach. The winners are announced during the festival, on Saturday, in the presence of the nominated authors. The Prix Splash! has become a true cultural mediation tool, encouraging thousands of young people and adults to discover contemporary comics creation.

A Weekend Rich in Encounters and Discoveries

The festival spans three days. Friday is traditionally dedicated to the Comics Encounters at the Pathé Annecy cinema, with screenings of films and documentaries related to the ninth art, round tables, and author interviews. On Saturday and Sunday, the Sevrier animation complex hosts the festival itself: a signing area with several dozen invited authors, thematic exhibitions, drawing and comics initiation workshops for children and adults, a reading corner, and stands from specialized publishers and booksellers.

Each edition features guest of honor — renowned authors, illustrators, or scriptwriters — who benefit from a dedicated exhibition and in-depth encounters with the public. The festival also welcomes young and regional authors, true to its mission of being a springboard for contemporary creation.

A Festival Rooted in the Cultural Fabric of the Two Savoie Regions

Sevrier BD maintains close partnerships with media libraries, schools, specialized bookstores, and cultural institutions in the Annecy basin and the two Savoyard departments. The festival benefits from the support of the municipality of Sevrier, the Grand Annecy urban community, and numerous private partners. Its location in Sevrier, a residential and tourist village on the west bank of the lake, provides a peaceful and pleasant setting that contrasts with the hustle and bustle of large urban festivals.