Vancouver will play host to a new festival celebrating Canadian comics and graphic novels. The Vancouver Comic Arts Festival has been in the works for about a year, and last week organizers announced the event will take place May 22“27, 2012.

In an interview with Canadian comics news website Sequential, VanCAF organizer Shannon Campbell says the goal is to create a free event that provides a unique experience for local comics fans and artists from Vancouver and elsewhere. Though VanCAF has confirmed some guests (including Joey Comeau, Emily Horne, and Jeph Jacques), and has scheduled an exhibition at Roundhouse Mews to take place over the last two days of the festival, most details are still being worked out.

From Sequential:

We’re looking into booking a wide array of events in the downtown area, including readings, workshops, and panels. We’re still ironing out the details on where everything will be; the Vancouver Public Library is one confirmed venue, and more will be announced as time goes on. What we do know for sure is that every event will be 100 per cent free to attend.

The event is modelled after the Toronto Comic Arts Festival (May 5“6, 2012) and the Calgary Comic and Entertainment Expo (2012 date TBA), but claims no affiliation with either. Exhibitor applications are now being accepted.