[4] Since 2000, the festival is organized around an annual theme[5] and each year awards prizes (Prémios Nacionais de Banda Desenhada) to authors and publishers[6] (including a "Troféu de Honra" — "Trophy of Honor").
Special guests of the eighth edition (1997) included Jean-Claude Mézières Pierre Christin, François Schuiten, Benoît Peeters, Enki Bilal, André Juillard, Ted Benoît, Jean Van Hamme, Theo van den Boogaard, Kevin O'Neill, and Miguelanxo Prado.
Guests included Rick Veitch, Dave Gibbons, Peter David, Joe Kubert, Jerry Robinson, and Luke Ross.
[13] The 22nd edition of the show in 2011 was centered around the theme of humor; Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz's widow Jean was a special guest,[1] as was Shannon Wheeler.
[14] The 28th edition of the festival was held October 27–November 12, 2017, with a focus on comics journalism; guests included Ted Rall and Josh Neufeld.