ICAF, also known as the Istanbul Comics and Art Festival, started its’ journey in 2016. It is a multidisciplinary art festival that offers a creative experience in the field of urban arts, including public space installations, comics/publishing stores, workshops, seminars and artist talks.

Since then ICAF has been Turkey’s only festival which captures analogue and digital creative art, such as drawing, sketching and comics all in one place. Independent artists, second-hand books, fanzine, street art and 21st century digital art are also an important part of this unique and popular festival.

The first three ICAF events were intentionally all on the Anatolian side of Istanbul. The main festival venue was at “Moda Club Quartier” however speakers and panels where running in the historical “Moda All Saints Church”. Bahariye, Kadıköy and the docks were especially used for exhibitions, performances and all kind of street art.

In its 4th year ICAF focused on animals under the title of ‘Hayvan Gibi’ ( like an animal) emphasizing on superheroes with animal-like powers, animals with human attitudes, animal dialogues in comics and street animals. The 4th ICAF in 2019, was supported by Beşiktaş Council, this time located on the European side of Istanbul in Osmanağa and Ortaköy. The Feriye Palace was used as the main festival venue and historical Kethüda Turkish Bathrooms were used for exhibitions and special art performances. The city became an open air exhibition with specially created ICAF themed murals and graffiti art. The Ortaköy orphanage building was opening its doors for independent and freelance artists exhibiting their drawings and sketches.

In 2018 the festival went to Ankara and the 1st successful Ankara Comics & Art Festival - ACAF was born at the Bilkent Centre. https://www.instagram.com/ankcaf/

We all know what happened in 2020 but we did not stop and continued online with Instagram live programs. Please check out https://www.instagram.com/istcaf/

The 5th ICAF in 2021 and the 6th ICAF in 2023 came alive with the support of IBB İstanbul Büyükşehir Belediyesi ( Istanbul metropolitan municipality) at the Gazhane Museum.

At ICAF we are welcoming everyone who is interested and involved in comics, graffiti, animation, anime, movies, NFT - Blockchain, gaming, caricature, satire magazines, fanzine, cosplay, designers, design shops, publishers, independent publishers, workshops, seminars and artist talks, documentary and animation screenings and music performances, second-hand books and figure fanciers.

National and international comic & art lovers have always been keen on participating in our festivals. Please get in touch if you are interested in joining our festival in 2024.

https://www.dsmbilet.com/ Please get in touch iletisim@dsmistanbul.com