1st WOMCOM Conference (Novi Sad, Serbia)

The 1st WOMCOM Conference took place on September 7-8, 2023, at SKCNS Fabrika in Novi Sad, Serbia. This event marked the beginning of a two-part series organized under the Women Power in Comics (WOMCOM) project, which aims to empower female comic artists and promote gender equality within the comics industry.

Titled Image and Role of Woman in Comics, the conference brought together artists, scholars, curators, publishers, and industry professionals for a series of discussions that explored the role and image of women in comics. It provided a platform for sharing knowledge, best practices, and innovations in the field, while also addressing critical issues surrounding visibility, representation, and the societal impact of female comic creators.

Key themes of the conference included:

• Women in Comics: A deep dive into the evolving roles and visibility of women in comic creation, particularly in the post-Yugoslav region.
• Activism and Feminism in Comics: Exploring female activism within the comic world, and addressing themes of body representation, gender, and queer identity in graphic novels.
• Good Practices and Examples: Showcasing initiatives like Matrijaršija, Stripburger, and Stripo-tetke that highlight women’s contributions to the comic industry.
• Global Perspectives: Discussions on how major European comic festivals address gender issues.
• Participants: Representatives from festivals such as OHOHO, Novi Sad Comic Weekend, Tinta, and the International Comic Festival in Budapest.
• The Role of Festivals: Panels on how comic festivals can actively promote gender equality and increase the visibility of female creators.

The conference was held in the context of the Novi Sad Comic Weekend, one of the most significant comic events in the region. It also included workshops, presentations, and an exhibition of works created during the 1st WOMCOM artistic residency in Novi Sad, where twelve European comic artists collaborated under the mentorship of renowned creators such as Jana Adamović and Dragana Garić Jovičić.

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