Captions Newsletter November 2025

We’d like to thank you all for the successful relaunch of Caption: Small Press & Indie Comics Festival. The supportful community helped us with making the ‘Rebirth’ happen in 2025, and raised enough funds that we can confidently announce continuing with an event in 2026. Continue reading to discover our theme for 2026!

At the heart of Caption: REBIRTH were Emily Brady and Barry Renshaw, who have decided to step down from the committee this year, but were integral to getting Caption back on its feet and for that we are eternally grateful.

Emily Brady is an artist-tutor, making various webcomics as part of Footloose with co-creator Ally Nuttall. She’s also an advocate and facilitator for good practice in the CATS Safe Space Collective and the CVA Support group. Emily helped Caption as Secretary, hosting the panel ‘Webcomics: Then and Now’, along with vital networking and logistics. Barry Renshaw is an independent comics journalist, publisher and illustrator with previous clients including Topps, Upper Deck, Dynamite and Rebellion. In Caption’s difficult rebirth year he served as Press Officer, working with social media accounts and publishing a monthly newsletter. The departure of Emily and Barry from the committee leaves a massive hole and we were fortunate to have their expertise while we did.

Open call for committee members

Do you want to influence the future of Caption? Helpppppppp! Help to build a passionate and friendly community dedicated to indie comics. We’re looking for people who understand Caption and have contact with our community. We meet every one or two weeks, no experience necessary. Just a willingness to get active.

There’s no formal application process however we would like to know more about you. Tell us why you think you’d be a good fit. The committee are facilitators so we’re interested in executing others’ innovative ideas. Email us at captionfest@gmail.com

Call for Feedback

Caption has a history of regenerating. What people felt about 2025 is a valuable guide to how we organise 2026, and responses are also nice to show off in a grant application. Leave your feedback to help us deliver the Caption Comics Festival you want and deserve:

https://forms.gle/DZ4iCHVEatnJyx6h9

Theme announcement

We spoke to attendees during Caption 2025 to gather Theme suggestions and there was one standout that came up repeatedly:

🏴‍☠️ PIRATE CAPTION 🏴‍☠️

Yarr maties! The people have spoken and we are nailing our colours to the mast, hoisting the Jolly Roger and setting sail for the high seas of 2026.

And we already have a mascot: Caption Jack Sparrow!