After the great success of the first three editions, ARF! 2018 grows with an additional pavilion and by enriching his exhibitions and contents thanks to the presence of the most important Italian publishers and the best contemporary authors, through exhibitions of great prestige, meetings with industry professionals, talks and masterclasses with the gotha of comics stardom, Lectio Magistralis and exclusive previews.
An intense weekend of activities, for three days from 10:00 to 20:00, with large exclusive exhibitions starting from «Andrea Pazienza, trent’anni senza» (30 years without), the great exhibition that celebrates and finally brings together the artistic legacies and of the most eclectic and brilliant Italian cartoonist of all time, in the 30th anniversary of his death (a co-production ARF! & COMICON, from May 25th to July 15th 2018).
Six more exhibits are scheduled in ARF!: Alessandro Barbucci, designer for Disney Italy, co-creator of W.I.T.C.H., Monster Allergy and Sky Doll and author of the ARF! Poster for 2018; Spanish author Jordi Bernet with "Il Buono, le Belle e il Cattivo" (the Good, the Beauties and the Villain) dedicated to TEX, Torpedo and to Bernet most famous female characters; Croatian artist Danijel Zezelj, (Marvel, DC Comics, Vertigo and Image) with «Black Oxygen»; and the winner of 2017 Bartoli Award Francesco Guarnaccia.
Also, a great exhibit of original artworks by the the “father” of modern graphic novels Will Eisner, which will take place at the CArt Gallery (Via del Gesù) from May 12th to June 6th 2018. ARF! & CArt Gallery co-produced the 2018 ARFBOOK, the catalogue of all the exhibitions.
Among the sections of ARF! Festival, also in 2018, there will be the area dedicated to job opportunities: Job ARF!, a place for portfolio reviews from editors and publishers. This area is powered by RUFA - Rome University of Fine Arts.
Then, ARF! Kids, the area dedicated to children's imagery (free admission up to 12 years) full of creative workshops curated by some of the most renowned Italian illustrators, with public readings, drawing labs, games and books available to everyone. ARF! is also the place to be for high training for aspiring cartoonists and illustrators, with the unmissable Masterclasses made by the most famous Italian comics artists teaching storytelling. The 2018’s Masterclasses are held by Davide De Cubellis (storyboard), Alessandro Bilotta (script), Mirka Andolfo (digital color), Alessandro Barbucci (character design), Emiliano Mammucari (drawing), Michele Masiero (editing), Ale Giorgini (illustration).
Other big events are the three “Lectio Magistralis” held by the three masters of comics: Jordi Bernet, Altan and Enrique Breccia.
Self ARF! the free access area strictly dedicated to the world of self & independent publishing, is now enriched with «Love yourSELF», a collective exhibition suitable only for adults focused on autoeroticism.
Second year in a row for the Artist Alley, that will hosts the best Italian authors exporting the excellence of "made in Italy" comics worldwide, expecially in USA, UK and France.
Since the first edition ARF! also matches with social causes: after Emergency, Cesvi and Dynamo Camp, this year the festival's solidarity partner is Amnesty International.
ARF! is promoted by Roma Capitale (Department of Cultural Growth) under the patronage of Regione Lazio and Biblioteche di Roma. ARF! is twinned with COMICON, Lucca Comics & Games, Treviso Comic Book Festival and Cartoons on The Bay.