Women in Comedy Festival

2 minute read
Picture of Kate Stone

Kate Stone

It’s that time of year again, when women in comedy gather in Manchester and laughs aplenty ensue for the Women in Comedy Festival. There are some really wonderful funny women performing this year (as always) and we’re delighted to spy some Funny Women Awards alumni in the mix among fantastic talents such as Angela Barnes, Joanne Neary, Barbara Nice, Bethany Black Harriet Dyer, Charmian Hughes and more!

WIC 2016 logo turquiose hi res

2016 Funny Women Awards finalist Catherine Bohart is joining forces with Cally Beaton to bring you their hit Edinburgh show Cat Call. With a 20 year age gap between them, Beaton and Bohart show there’s no wrong side of 40. Cally talks about everything from her son’s autism to her own dating, and relishes turning gender stereotypes on their head. The OCD, bisexual offspring of a Catholic deacon, Catherine’s comedy wasn’t so much a choice as a compulsion.

Jane Postlethwaite, who made it to our 2015 Awards finals with her sceptical children’s book author Joy Hope, will be in Manchester too with her darkly funny show Made in Cumbria. Jane’s many Cumbrian characters will take you on a tour of their home. Bring a fleece.
Cheekykita, 2016 Funny Women Awards regional finalist, is taking Mancunians to Tittitutar Town. This absurd clowning show is absolutely mad and absolutely delightful.
Lara A King won the Funny Women Awards in 2011 and will be performing Not Broken, Just Bent. Lara will be telling the story of the time she got arrested and thrown into jail. Everyone said: “you’ll get some great material out of that…” Let’s see if she did.
Lauren Pattison is Reet Petite, make sure you see this 2014 Funny Women Awards runner up who seems to have made it onto everybody’s one to watch list, she’s already supported Katherine Ryan on tour. Catch her show now!
Another 2015 finalist journeying north for the festival is the God Whisperer Maggy Whitehouse.  No, she’s not fluffy and no, she won’t be trying to convert you. Think Father Ted with a slightly better cardigan. Maggy talks about God, to God, envies atheists, supports the spiritual and makes the whole darned ridiculousness of religion topical, relevant and very, very funny.
One of our favourite double acts and 2013 Funny Women Variety Award winners Revan and Fennell will be at the festival with their very fun and funny show Fan Club.
There are seriously too many funny women to choose from at this festival so make it to Manchester and see for yourself! See who else is performing here!

 

Picture of Kate Stone
Kate Stone
Kate Stone is the editor of Funny Women and an award-winning script writer. She has written comedy sketches for the BBC's 100 Women project and created the Funny Women Awards Comedy Shorts category.
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Get notified when registration opens

Comedy Shorts Award Entry Requirements

The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.

Funny Women NextUp…Comedy Shorts Award

Are you a budding Director? Producer? Screenwriter? Are you collaborating with friends to make a funny video? Then we are looking for YOU!

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