Earlier this year I had the privilege of being invited onto the 2023 MMC Judging Panel. Then over the spring I received a package of 14 entries for which I would offer feedback.
I recorded a video for each submission. However, like the one embedded about they were terribly cropped. I’ll make use of them some how at a later date but this post is about this year’s winner.
2023 Make More Comics Grant
PATTERSON, California – The Make More Comics Arts Grant is proud to announce the winner of the 3rd annual MMC Grant. Out of all the qualified submission packets we received the judging panel has chosen Hana Chatani and her comics project Love Condemns Her as our 2023 award recipient.
Love Condemns Her is a short comic story that builds upon the fairy tale of The Little Mermaid to explore themes of immaturity, sexuality/asexuality, and the empathy or lack thereof that teenagers find themselves with as they expand their perspective into a larger world. This coming-of-age story told through the queer lens is a perfect example of why Hana Chatani’s work continues to garner attention across the globe.
“Resources for comic artists are rare and dear, especially in my country of residence. However, entities like the ShortBox Comics Fair and Cartoonist Cooperative springing up in recent years highlight the expanding community, interest in comic making, and the growing need for resources and mutual aid that comes along with it” states creator Hana Chatani. “I am ecstatic to receive the MMC arts grant which is a tremendous aid towards furthering my comic making practice, and with such a gift I hope to give back to the community to help others with their cartooning journeys.”
Hana Chatani
Learn more about Hana Chatani and her work.
The Make More Comics Arts Grant was founded in 2020 by Will Hoffknecht of Patterson, California with the goal of providing direct cash payments to support new and creative works in small press comic creation. The 2023 award is the third award granted and news about the 2024 grant will be announced later this year. For more information visit makemorecomics.com.