As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, the global landscape for women feels more like the ‘Wild West’ than ever before.
Reframing April Fool’s Day on Wednesday 1st April – we will be taking part in a brand new national day of celebration, Live Comedy Day, with Funny Women Live at the world-famous Comedy Store London.
Louisa Jackson, founder of Craic, is passionate about the future of Comedy and is calling for more unity from across the industry to get our voices heard as part of the UK’s rich and diverse cultural landscape.
It’s February, January is firmly behind us, the sun now sets at the new and improved time of 5pm, and, rectangular shaped goods at the supermarket are now heart shaped, or pink, for those who celebrate February 14th. Most importantly though, of course, there is some fantastic comedy to see,
After 8 sell-out live showcases and 2 sell-out sketch show runs and a collaboration with Funny Women and Gobby Girls , FPC have announced their first ever Film and TV Script Festival.
The selected acts will work alongside Best in Class directors Sian Davies, Tom Mayhew and Dani Johns to plan and deliver the Fringe showcase. As well as performing, the scheme offers invaluable insight into Fringe planning and production, opening doors to future solo shows while building networks, experience and confidence.
French American comic Celine Kuklowsky (@celinekuk) is, in their own words, a gluten-and-lactose-free, socialist, with a sugar-baby, which they admit, is the epitome of everything the far-right are so angry about. Performing a WIP of their newest hour show Bed Boy at Top Secret Comedy club last night, Kuklowsky’s comedy
In a world where creative women are often freelance, networking events have become an essential part of life. But, before attending, I am always thinking, will it be a comfortable friendly space? Will the atmosphere feel safe and inclusive? Case in point: The BGC Pro Big Comedy Conference is an
Jaz Ampaw Farr may have been the one to announce that she had “Truth Tourettes” during the Funny Women Glitter Challenge at the Comedy Store last week. However, all nine Challengers, business moguls who were already titans of their industry who had never performed stand up comedy, dished up some raw honesty.
Inspired by female stories, social taboos, and dismantling power structures Bryony Kimmings made a public vow in 2021 to only work on things that would help the planet. Her latest show, Bog Witch, is about uncertain times, ecosystem collapse and finding new ways to be happy.
Co-written by Nina Conti and Shenoah Allen, the script was simultaneously punchy, funny, tragic, and bizarre. The chemistry between Conti and Allen as comedians, creatives, and co-leads was electric.
One of my favourite things about the hour is Cockayne’s combination of the absurd with relatable, every day life premises, such as: a haunting character with sea shells for hair and long bright red nails, singing about the benefits of acrylics
As we celebrate International Women’s Day 2026, the global landscape for women feels more like the ‘Wild West’ than ever before.
The Glitter Challenge is one of Funny Women’s flagship development programmes, designed to support professional working women to build confidence, develop their voice and perform stand-up comedy to an industry-ready standard.
It’s Twixmas. That time between the seasonal festivities and a celebration of another new year. It’s also when many of us review our options.
I am good at showing up. People often comment on how busy I appear to be but surely that’s all part of the job?
I know I bang on about how the Funny Women Awards are the lifeblood of our community and I’m passionate about the importance of having safe places where those of us who identify as female can be creative, explore ideas and put them out there into the world unencumbered by social pressures.
Stand up comedy is incredibly lonely, so I’m focusing on hosting in 2025. Last week I spent 11 hours on trains (and platforms) to spend a grand total of 30 minutes performing.
Polly is a rom-com inspired musical which explores what it takes to live authentically and who we seek permission from to do just that. It’s also silly, messy, joyous and queer! We’re about to have a public and industry showing at The Other Palace on 18th Feb – very excited.
Catherine Abbott grew up in the Midlands and is now based in Glasgow. She has been directing for 15 years. Her recent film Becoming Victoria Wood has just completed a cinema run and will be on U&Gold on 12th February. Her other credits include Disco: Soundtrack of a Revolution and Travels
Like many women ‘of a certain age’ I am both saddened and shocked by the death of Catherine O’Hara, the actor who played the unforgettably eccentric matriarch ‘Moira Rose’ in Schitt’s Creek.
We’re just putting the final touches to our Awards registration process. We’ll be ready for you soon.
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The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.
If you have a short film or sketch that you think is hilarious, then enter your work for our Comedy Shorts Award to be in with a chance of winning some life-changing support and mentoring from comedy professionals.
WHAT KIND OF FILM ARE YOU LOOKING FOR?
A 1- 6 minute film that can take the form of anything comical. It’s a great opportunity to show us your creative flair and have fun!
WHO CAN ENTER?
This award is open to all women filmmakers and content developers. The film must be an original narrative created, produced and devised by a woman, or women, although male cast and crew members are allowed.
ARE THERE ANY ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR MY FILM?
Yes – we require all films to be 6 minutes or under, to be entirely original dialogue, to not feature brand logos and most importantly, to only use music with the written consent of the performer and/or publisher either personally or via the PRS system https://www.prsformusic.com/ .
WHAT WILL YOU DO WITH MY FILM?
We will broadcast selected entries on our Funny Women YouTube channel and social media (so keep an eye out) and the top 10 finalists’ films will also hosted on a dedicated Funny Women Comedy Shorts Awards page on our website. We will also broadcast the final 3 entries as part of the grand final night.
HOW IS IT JUDGED?
Films are judged for production, concept, delivery/performance, creativity, writing and overall funniness. The top 10 films are then viewed by an independent judging panel of top television and film industry professionals who will choose one overall winner and two runners up. The final three will be invited to attend the grand final in London on the 23rd September.
WHAT CAN I WIN?
2021 Funny Women Awards Prizes
The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.
If you need further information please contact us here
Give to Gain: Stop Shrinking and Start Multiplying