Those of us who were lucky enough to know Lady Val will miss her razor-sharp wit, her warmth, and the sheer audacity of her spirit.
This year, more than 250 judges from over 50 countries took part in the Gerety Awards, bringing together some of the most respected creative leaders from different fields of advertising, marketing, production, design, and media, who showed their powerful perspective by choosing the best creative work. Funny Women proudly partnered
The Women in Comedy Festival returns to Manchester from 1–11 October 2026, with an especially strong line-up of award winners, comedians fresh from this summer’s Edinburgh Fringe Festival and up-and-coming talent from across the comedy world. This year, 53 shows will play across six venues in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, with
Melbourne-based comedian and writer Justine Sless is launching her new novel, Before I Sing You This Song in the UK on 3rd October, followed by a Melbourne launch on 9th November. Before I Sing You This Song is set in Sunderland in 1978, where the rules were that women could
DOUG is a short comedy horror that follows Daisy Spade, a gardener, as she navigates her brother Doug’s disappearance. Returning to work, she makes the unsettling discovery of Doug’s body buried in a client’s garden; the sweet and unassuming Nanna. Her ensuing journey includes singing flowers, a reanimating corpse and
Scottish comedy star Kim Blythe’s debut tour Cowboy played to sold-out crowds across the UK and Ireland last autumn and sold out her Edinburgh Fringe run with the same show. This year, she is back with her most ambitious show to date, reaching more of the country with brand new
Since its launch in 1988, the So You Think You’re Funny? alumni reads like a who’s who of stand up. The competition has launched the careers of some of the scene’s leading comedians, and the ten performers I saw at The Gilded Balloon all fully deserve their place in this
The Edinburgh Fringe may have wrapped up, but Rosalie Minnitt’s Clementine 2 was far too magnificent to leave uncelebrated.
“…if tricky second hours are the norm, Hamilton is most definitely the exception to the rule.” – Katerina Partolina Schwartz
“Nerine Skinner is a brilliant performer who is all too often self-deprecating. She should be very proud of the unique, creative and highly entertaining journey she took us on. Top pick, highly recommended.” – Sofia Hart
“She’s a born entertainer, whether singing about the 90s or dissecting her own name, bursting with musicality and enthusiasm.” – Polly Allen
“It’s unsurprising that she’s just been long-listed for Best Newcomer at The (ISH) Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2026; I’m confident we’re getting a glimpse of someone who’ll become a household name.” – Polly Allen
Those of us who were lucky enough to know Lady Val will miss her razor-sharp wit, her warmth, and the sheer audacity of her spirit.
13 Acts, 1 phenomenal Hostess and countless cackles.
Fran Ayala-Rock talks about why “We Didn’t Need to Compete for Stage Time. We Needed to Build Our Own Stage”.
When I founded Funny Women 24 years ago, it wasn’t just a passion project; it was a direct response to a misogynist comedy promoter I was working for as a publicist.
From the chaos of consumerism, parenting predicaments and midlife plot twists, Val Troy unpacks the absurdity of trying to keep it all together.
I set up LMAOnaise Comedy as a way to shout about all this fantastic comedy I was ingesting, and to build a community of people who wanted to do the same.
What if five minutes on a comedy stage could change the way you show up everywhere else? You’re already good at what you do. You lead. You present. You negotiate. You make decisions, manage teams and navigate difficult conversations. You may even be perfectly comfortable speaking in front of a
I had no desire to do stand up comedy. I enjoyed watching it but had never considered doing it, in fact the idea absolutely terrified me. I mean why would anybody want to do such a thing?
Stage fright, flyering the Royal Mile, and 80 cheering audience members – the 2026 Glitter Challengers just made their triumphant Edinburgh Fringe debut! Read about how these inspirational women transformed their confidence and raised vital funds for the Glitter Project.
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
LADY VAL CORBETT: GRATITUDE, LEGACY AND A FEW BAD JOKES