The Philippine International Comics Festival (PICOF) returns on July 10–12, 2026, at Ayala Malls The 30th, Pasig City, bringing together Filipino and international creators, creatives, publishers, readers, educators, and comics enthusiasts for a three-day celebration of comics and visual storytelling. For the first time, PICOF becomes an Open Festival, giving everyone free access to the comics market, exhibits, masterclasses, comic book talks, artist battles, live drawing events, and three full days of festival activities.
Presented in partnership with Japan Foundation Manila, Larry Alcala 100 Years, Ayala Malls The 30th, Mozaiku Prints, and BLushCon, this year’s festival highlights the power of comics to connect cultures, communities, and generations of creators.
COMICS MARKET
Visitors can explore a vibrant comics market featuring independent Filipino creators, publishers, and international exhibitors offering the latest releases of comics, graphic novels, and other creator-made original works. PICOF 2026 welcomes creators and organizations from the Philippines, Japan, Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam, Thailand, and Australia, fostering cultural exchange and strengthening connections between comics communities across the Asia-Pacific region.
NEW RELEASES
Festival attendees will also get first dibs on many new releases, making PICOF one of the most exciting opportunities to explore the latest developments in Filipino komiks. Leading the pack are Arnold Arre’s Children of Bathala Volume 4, Ian Velasquez’s The Life and Art of Tony Velasquez, Carlo Jose San Juan’s Callous 30th Anniversary in two volumes, Arli Pagaduan’s Ode to Panels, Pura Luka Vega and Jap Mikel’s Vaklat, Tobie Abad’s Diliman Generation Now Vol. 1, Tish Valenzuela’s Drawn To Love, Lucia Asul’s Nightgate Volume 1, PICOF Official Selection’s Watchdog of Manila by Lucas Lacorte, and Komiket Komiks Magazine Issue #2, the latest release in the six-issue Komiket Komiks series being published throughout the year.
FEATURED EXHIBITS
The festival will feature three major exhibits: the PICOF Official Selection featuring titles published in 2026; the Philippine Tribute to National Artist for Comics Larry Alcala, celebrating his centennial through his original works, Slices of a Komikero’s Life, and one hundred renditions of his iconic style by independent komiks creators; and this year’s Country of Highlight, Japan, co-organized with the Japan Foundation Manila and BLushCon, featuring Sinta: Queer Stories Across Asia, an international exhibit showcasing creators from Japan and Southeast Asia exploring stories of love, identity, and belonging through comics and sequential art.
COMICS MASTERCLASSES AND FESTIVAL PROGRAMMING
PICOF’s masterclass program brings together creators and industry professionals from the Philippines and abroad, including Tori Tadiar (Philippines), Masaomi Ito (Japan), Cat Aquino and Dominique Duran (Philippines), Joshua Chieng (Singapore), Kristina Turner (Australia), and many others. Festival attendees can also enjoy comic book talks with book clubs, book launches and artist presentations, creator spotlights, live drawing sessions, and community conversations throughout the three-day event.
SUPPORT FILIPINO KOMIKS
For nearly a century, Filipino komiks have inspired readers and creators around the world. PICOF continues this tradition by creating a space where stories, art, and communities can thrive.
Join PICOF on July 10–12, 2026, at Ayala Malls The 30th and celebrate the creativity, diversity, and future of comics. Admission is free.
