Spider-Man, Star Wars and Marvel creators heading to Kent for blockbuster Crash Festival
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Spider-Man, Star Wars and Marvel creators heading to Kent for blockbuster Crash Festival
Joe Walker
joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk
Published: 17:03, 10 August 2026
Artists, writers and visual effects experts behind some of the world’s biggest films, TV shows, video games and comic books are heading to Kent for a two-day festival.
Crash Festival has outgrown its debut home in Ashford after selling out last year and is moving to the Malthouse Theatre in Canterbury, where organisers have more than doubled capacity for the event on August 13 and 14.
The festival will bring together internationally renowned visual effects artists, game developers, comic creators, illustrators and designers for a programme of talks, workshops and networking aimed at inspiring the next generation of creative talent.
Among the headline attractions are Framestore, whose recent work includes Spider-Man: Brand New Day and How to Train Your Dragon, alongside artists from Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), the legendary visual effects studio behind Star Wars productions including The Mandalorian and Andor.
Comic fans will also get the chance to hear from acclaimed Marvel and DC writer Andy Lanning, whose work includes Guardians of the Galaxy, while legendary 2000 AD writer Gerry Finley-Day, creator of Rogue Trooper, is also appearing.
The line-up also features award-winning graphic designer Tom Muller, whose work helped define Marvel’s House of X, game design expert Gary Napper, who worked on the acclaimed survival horror title Alien: Isolation, award-winning animation studio Golden Wolf, and scenic artist Lauren Elizabeth Minchington, whose credits include Wes Anderson and Disney productions.
Visitors will also be able to meet creatives who have worked on projects including Dune: Part Two, The Rings of Power, The Batman, Call of Duty, Dead by Daylight and PUBG.
As well as talks from industry professionals, the festival will feature an indie game arcade showcasing developers from across the UK, a creators’ market, hands-on workshops, tabletop gaming, networking opportunities and the Wacom Creative Zone, where visitors can try professional drawing equipment and watch live demonstrations.
The event was founded to bridge the gap between aspiring creatives and the professionals shaping today’s film, television, gaming, comics and design industries.
While organisers say the festival is particularly aimed at 14 to 25-year-olds looking to break into the creative industries, it is also open to professionals and anyone with an interest in animation, visual effects, games, illustration or design.
Crash Festival runs from 11am to 9pm on Thursday, August 13, and Friday, August 14, at the Malthouse Theatre in Canterbury.
Following last year’s sell-out event, organisers are encouraging people to book early.
For the full programme and speaker updates, visitwww.wearecrash.com.
Tickets are priced £30-£60.
CanterburyKentQuirkyJoe Walker
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