Emanuele Vietina, the director of the renowned Lucca Comics and Games festival, expresses immense pride in the meticulously curated program for its 60th anniversary. This iconic event, scheduled from October 28 to November 1 in the historic Tuscan city of Lucca, stands as a testament to the seamless integration of various facets of pop culture and entertainment, attracting over 200,000 visitors daily, many of whom immerse themselves in cosplay amidst the ancient city ramparts.

The festival's "Legacy" theme this year is particularly fitting, serving as a tribute to its enduring heritage as one of the globe's foremost comic conventions. A major highlight includes an exclusive preview of the third season of "Percy Jackson and the Olympians," featuring its creative talents, alongside the Italian premiere of Aardman Animations' "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom." Adding to the prestige, Japanese filmmaker Kore-eda Hirokazu will engage with fans and discuss his adaptation of Fujimoto Tatsuki's "Look Back" manga. Furthermore, the 60th anniversary will be marked by the "Lucca Legacy: A Comics and Games Story" exhibition at the 14th-century Palazzo Guinigi, offering an archival journey through the works of legendary American comic artists like Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, and Lee Falk, who found a significant platform in Lucca during the 1970s. The festival is also set to host a special fan screening of "The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping" and an immersive "Harry Potter" pavilion by Warner Bros., celebrating the profound connection between great literature and cinematic artistry.

This year's festival also emphasizes the vibrant crossover between cinema and video games. A significant presence from CD Projekt Red will showcase "Cyberpunk 2077," its animated series "Cyberpunk Edgerunners," and "The Witcher," complete with its latest downloadable content, underscoring the European studio's commitment to this cross-media approach. The festival is proud to host distinguished figures from the gaming world, including Hideki Kamiya, known for his work on "Resident Evil 2" and "Devil May Cry," and Yoshinori Kitase, who will strengthen ties with Square Enix and the "Final Fantasy" community. The creators of "Alien: Isolation 2" will also be in attendance, highlighting the strong narrative influence of movies on gaming. Animation, a foundational element of geek culture, receives renewed focus in this milestone edition. Beyond CD Projekt Red, the festival will welcome Victor Cartwright, co-creator of Cartoon Network Studio's "Adventure Time," and Peter Lord, founder of Aardman Animations, whose contributions to animation will be celebrated with an induction into Lucca's "Walk of Fame," joined by Matthew Walker, director of "Shaun the Sheep: The Beast of Mossy Bottom."

The Lucca Comics and Games festival stands as a beacon of creativity, skillfully weaving together diverse storytelling mediums. By embracing both classic legacies and contemporary innovations, the event fosters an inclusive environment where fans can celebrate their passions and explore the evolving landscape of popular culture. This enduring spirit of collaboration and forward-thinking vision reinforces the festival's role as a vital platform for artistic expression and community engagement.