APPLICATION FOR 2026 IS NOW open!
Zine Fest is part of Helsinki Comics Festival with focus on comics, self-published works, zines and small press.
Zine Fest is held 19–20 September, 2026 in Cultural Centre Stoa, Helsinki. Kids’ Comics Fest is held on Friday 18th.
We have set two minimum requirements for all sales table applicants.
- Working portfolio link that’s open for everyone to view
- At least one self-published work/small press/zine that can be a comic or other type of art zine.
We want as many people as possible to be able to take part, so please consider how much space you need for your products when applying for a table. If there are a lot of applicants, we will prioritize comics. However other products are welcome alongside comics.
We want as many people as possible to be able to take part, so please choose a table size that fits your needs. This year we have fewer table spots so whole tables are very limited.
This year you can also apply for the Kids’ Comics Fest. Please note that the content sold on the tables on Friday needs to be suitable for all ages.
Applications are open from March 30th to April 30th, 2026.
The chosen applicants will be notified by the end of June.
Please read the portfolio instructions and criteria with care.
If you have any questions about Zine Fest you can contact us by email at helsinkizinefest@gmail.com
Follow us
Bluesky @helsinkizinefest
Instagram @zinefesthki
Tabling
Unfortunately, this year we cannot offer tables for the whole weekend due to the number of applications and the reduced number of tables. We make an exception for schools and academies, because we want to support those studying comics, and the operation of the schools and academies.
The are two table sizes and the prices are the same for every day from Friday to Sunday:
- Dimensions of a whole table are 183 cm x 76 cm
- Price 25€
- Dimensions for half a table are 91,5 cm x 76 cm
- Price 15€
- There’s a quota of first-timers. We want to give a chance for the new creators to stand out. There are a number of tables that are reserved for those who have not attended Zine Fest before.
- Because the tables are limited in size, we recommend building your table vertically (within reason).
- From the year 2026 onward, we will collect comics for the Finnish Comics Society’s archive, one zine per table. If you want, you can donate more than one. These will become a part of Finnish comics and zine-history’s archive. Please bring your work to the volunteers at the communal sales table and inform them that it is for the Society’s archive. The zine donated to the archive is part of the payment for the tables.
- Tables must be paid for before the event. Payment information will be provided via email. Please remember to pay your table in time, otherwise it will be handed to the next person in line for the spot.
Portfolio instructions and criteria
Making the portfolio
- Include around 3–15 images of your products.
- The images should be clear and in good quality.
- The portfolio should clearly showcase your self-published works, small press and comics, and sneakpeeks of their contents.
- Include in the portfolio a variety of works that represent the diversity of your repertoire. Preferably seven different images rather than seven images that are very alike.
- You can compile your portfolio as a PDF or as separate images. Portfolio should be delivered as a Google Drive -link for example, or through similar means. You can also use a site/platform of your choosing, as long as the images meant for Zine Fest portfolio are clearly displayed and labelled. Note! Social media account is not accepted as a portfolio.
- Name your portfolio folder or PDF in format “Portfolio Applicant’s Name”.
- If you’re applying as a group, you can create a shared portfolio. If you’re applying as separate artists sharing a table, you can include a separate portfolio for each artist. Please remember to label the artist of each piece in the portfolio so that we can evaluate each artist.
- Avoid using services like WeTransfer, in which the link is removed after a set period. The evaluation takes several weeks so the link must be accessible for a long period of time.
- We won’t download any files due to the malware risk so the portfolio needs to be accessible and readable through a link. Don’t use files that are too large to preview. Files that must be downloaded to view lead to disqualification.
- Please remember to ensure that the shared links work by sharing them with a friend, or someone else you can trust, who doesn’t need a sign-in to access the link. Applications without a working portfolio link cannot be evaluated, and will be disqualified.
If you have any problems please contact us at helsinkizinefest@gmail.com
For first timers
- Zine Fest is for all kinds of artists in all stages of their careers. We hope that even first timers bravely apply to Zine Fest.
- Don’t be afraid of sending in a portfolio. You are good enough to apply as a seller.
- Zine Fest ensures that a quota dependent on the number of tables of first timers is always included.
- When applying, please be reasonable with the table space you’re applying and consider the size and number of your products. For example, we cannot offer you a full table if you’re only selling one comic.
Criteria
- Zine Fest is an event focusing on comics, self-publishing, zines and small magazines.
- It’s most important for your portfolio link to be accessible by all. If we cannot view your portfolio, we cannot perform the necessary evaluation and will be forced to disqualify the application. Ensure that your links work.
- We will evaluate the artistic quality and variety of the portfolio images. We are trying to ensure diversity in Zine Fest.
- Each applicant must have at least one self-published work/small press/zine/comic in their portfolio. This also applies to pairs, groups and collectives. Please note that if you’re applying as a group or a collective, each member must have at least one self-published work/small press/zine/comic showcased in their portfolio and sold on the table (for example, it counts if a member has taken part in a collective anthology). If a member of a pair, group or collective is missing the minimum required self-published work/small press/zine/comic in their portfolio, it will unfortunately lead to a disqualification.
- We make an exception for schools, academies, communities and collectives (with more than five members that has been active for several years) with yearly changing members/line up that have tens of works. We will asses this by application.
- If there is a large amount of applications, we will prioritize comics.
- Other products are welcome alongside the comics.
- By looking at your portfolio we evaluate the artistic expression of the applicants and try to find people with varying styles. We’re not here to judge your skills!
- We want to bring forward a diverse bunch of creators with various points of view and backgrounds.
- Helsinki Comics Festival is a discrimination and harassment free zone and we adhere to the principles for a safer space. We refuse to give tables to applicants whose work promotes sexism, racism, homophobia or transphobia or other intolerant attitudes. Individuals and collectives are responsible for the contents of their table.
Generative AI or genAI
- Zine Fest prohibits the selling of materials (fully or partly) generated by artificial intelligence. Currently almost all models are trained on stolen art, and we do not allow the selling of stolen material at our event or platforms.
- By filling the application form you confirm that you have not used generative AI at any point in the creation of your works or products.
Other things to note
- Please remember that the applications without working portfolio links will be automatically disqualified.
- Due to the number of applications we cannot individually tell everyone the reason their application was rejected.
- If the event is cancelled or moved, everyone with a table spot is automatically eligible for the next event. Should the event be cancelled/moved, we will contact the sellers via email. We will also contact you individually about any possible changes in tabling.
- Remember to be proper in your applications.
- We want be considerate to people with possible allergies and phobias, so please don’t bring your pet along if you’re attending as a seller. For visitors, attending with a pet is fine.
Good luck in applying!
