As Africa’s premier geek festival, Bilili BD 2025 – reinforces the continent’s burgeoning comics scene, promising continued innovation and global outreach for publishers.

The 10th incarnation of the International Comics Bilili Festival, known as Bilili BD, wraps up on 7 December 2025 in Brazzaville, Republic of Congo.

Celebrating its anniversary under the theme “Memory, Legacy, Heritage,” the event showcased the evolution of African comics since 2015. From a modest gathering, the Bilili BD Festival has grown to feature over 100 African titles, with at least 50 from Congo, drawing creators, editors, and enthusiasts.

Where and When

Held at the French Institute in Brazzaville from 1 to 7 December, following a prelude in Pointe-Noire from 26 to 28 November, the festival offers free admission and a dedicated professional area for registered attendees.

Key Activities

Highlights included the Cosplay Contest, rewarding original costumes with 600,000 FCFA, and the KOBUNDA BD artistic duel, where illustrators and scriptwriters competed for 200,000 FCFA.

The Lili Prize honours outstanding African works for creativity and narrative strength. Attendees enjoy workshops, projections, and exhibitions, with vibrant energy noted in cosplay, manga, animation, and gaming sessions.

Insights for Publishing Professionals

Notable participants included Zebra Comics, attending for the fifth year, and invited editor Youssef Branh, emphasising cross-continental collaborations.

For industry insiders, the festival provides prime networking opportunities, facilitating partnerships like Zebra Comics’ tie-up with ONO of Media Participations. The professional zone encourages discussions on sustainable creation and visibility for African comics, highlighting the sector’s growth and potential for international deals.

Looking Ahead

As Africa’s premier geek festival, Bilili BD 2025 – reinforces the continent’s burgeoning comics scene, promising continued innovation and global outreach for publishers.

UPDATE: Agnes Debiage has some great images of the event.

This post first appeared in the TNPS LinkedIn newsfeed.