Comedy Jobs and Festival Submissions
July 2026 Deadlines
PunchlineKang Comedy Festival takes place August 4–6, 2026, in Orlando, Florida, featuring a multi-round stand-up competition where comedians perform across preliminary rounds and finals, with finalists selected by judges and audience vote. The winner receives prizes including paid bookings and a complimentary 6-day, 5-night Carnival Cruise performance opportunity. Submissions require a 3–5 minute performance video, headshot, and completed registration form. Early Bird registration runs April 11–May 31 ($35) and general registration runs June 1–July 10 ($50). Submission deadline: July 10, 2026. Submit here.
Short Com International Comedy Film and Animation Festival takes place September 25, 2026–August 2027 (screenings across London and other locations in the UK/Europe), featuring comedy short films and animations from around the world, with opportunities for filmmakers to showcase work at a BAFTA- and BIFA-qualifying festival and compete for multiple awards. Selected participants receive festival screenings, industry exposure, and potential career support through the Short Com network. Submissions require a completed FilmFreeway application. Submission fee: $25. Submission deadline: July 10, 2026. Submit here.
4th International Limassol Comedy Festival takes place September 30–October 4, 2026, in Limassol, Cyprus, and brings together stand-up comedians from Cyprus and around the world for performances, networking, workshops, collaboration, and entertainment. The festival aims to strengthen Cyprus’ presence in the international comedy scene while providing meaningful opportunities for both emerging and established comedians. Selected performers receive benefits including professional set filming and photography, networking opportunities with producers, venues, clubs, and festivals, workshop access, discounted accommodation options, and one free meal per festival day. Outstanding performers may also earn opportunities to perform at partner comedy clubs, showcases, and festivals worldwide. Submission fee: €30 (non-refundable). Submission deadline: July 15, 2026. Notification date: July 20, 2026. Submit here.
Big Sky Comedy Festival takes place October 6–11, 2026, in Billings, Montana, bringing together 24 comedians for more than 10 shows across the city. Selected comics compete in the festival’s signature team-based competition, with the top eight advancing to the grand finale at the Alberta Bair Theater. The festival also provides direct access to industry professionals including managers, agents, club bookers, cruise line bookers, college bookers, and TV bookers. Selected comedians receive accommodations, local transportation, food, and activities during the festival (airfare not included). Submission fee: $35. Submission deadline: July 15, 2026. Submit here.
The Rule of Three Comedy Competition takes place August 22, 2026, at The Meteor in Windsor, Ontario, where six comedians compete for a $500 cash prize across three rounds: one-liners, off-the-cuff riffing/crowd work, and storytelling. Unlike traditional comedy competitions, winners are determined by randomly selected audience judges, not industry panels, and the competition is not a bringer show. Organizers are looking for comics with strong writing, stage presence, crowd work ability, and storytelling skills. Applicants must submit a live audience set of 10 minutes or less featuring original material. Submission deadline: July 15, 2026. Prize: $500 cash to the winner. Submit here.
IF Cincy takes place October 15–17, 2026, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and is the city's first and only national improv festival. The festival showcases improv acts from around the country and is looking for dynamic, original performers with strong ensemble play and a distinct point of view. Performance sets typically run 20–25 minutes, with workshops held on Saturday. Submission fee: $20. Submission deadline: July 15, 2026. Notification date: August 1, 2026. Submit here.
Denver Sketch Festival takes place October 8–10, 2026, in Denver, Colorado, featuring live sketch comedy performances and video sketches from across North America, along with festival events and parties. Selected performers have the opportunity to showcase live sketch shows or video sketches and be part of a curated lineup at RISE Comedy. Submissions require a completed application and applicable materials for live or video sketch work. Submission fee: $35 (Regular: June 1–June 30), and $40 (Late: July 1–July 19), with video sketch submissions at $20 (included if submitting live), all non-refundable. Submission deadline: July 19, 2026. Submit here.
The Comedy Film Challenge 2026 takes place July 24–August 9, 2026, in El Paso, Texas. Hosted by ChucoTown Comedy, this 48-hour filmmaking competition challenges teams to write, shoot, and edit an original short comedy film using a randomly assigned genre, character, prop, and line of dialogue. Completed films premiere at a public screening followed by an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding comedic filmmaking across multiple categories. Submission deadline: July 24, 2026. Submit here.
Cleveland Comedy Festival takes place September 30–October 3, 2026, in Cleveland, Ohio, celebrating local and independent comedy with multiple showcases each night featuring a mix of emerging performers, regional favorites, and national headliners. The festival welcomes comedians of all experience levels and backgrounds, with opportunities to perform alongside diverse voices from across the comedy scene. Organizers are also open to considering live podcast recordings and special tapings during the festival. Submissions require a 5–7 minute continuous stand-up video in front of a live audience and a completed application. Submission fee: $25. Submission deadline: July 25, 2026. Submit here.
First Coast Comedy Festival takes place November 12–14, 2026, in Atlantic Beach, Florida, just north of Jacksonville Beach. The festival features stand-up, improv, and sketch comedy, with beach parties, networking opportunities, gift bags, and professional 4-camera recordings of every performance provided to performers for future use. Stand-up acts receive approximately 10-minute sets, while improv and sketch groups receive approximately 20-minute slots. Submission fee: $35 ($30 through June 29 with code STILLEARLY). Submission deadline: July 27, 2026. Notification date: August 24, 2026. Submit here.
Laughs N' Loud Showcase takes place August 7–8, 2026, in Jamestown, New York. Hosted by Buzz WNY in conjunction with Comedy Calendar SoFlo and Hitman Productions, this inaugural cannabis-branded comedy showcase is seeking both English- and Spanish-speaking comedians to perform during one of Western New York's biggest comedy weekends. Submissions are free and require a 5–10 minute video, with selected comedians notified by August 1. Submission deadline: July 29, 2026. Send your submission to Monty Bingham at [email protected].
Helena Comedy Festival takes place November 12–14, 2026, in Helena, Montana, showcasing stand-up comedians from across the country. Selected performers receive three 10-minute sets throughout the festival weekend, perform at unique venues across downtown Helena, connect with comics from around the country, and receive HD footage of their performances when available. Organizers review every submission and notify all applicants of their status by August 31, 2026. Submission fee: $35. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026. Submit here.
Black Women in Comedy Festival takes place October 16–18, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, and celebrates Black women in comedy with stand-up, improv, sketch performances, a short film festival, cosplay of iconic Black characters, and showcase opportunities for selected comedians. Applicants must submit a two-minute video from a 20-minute act or show proposal and a $25 submission fee. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026. Submit here.
Third Coast Improv Festival takes place November 4–8, 2026, in Nashville, Tennessee, and is a five-day festival celebrating improv with performances at Third Coast Comedy Club and The Loft at Third Coast. The festival welcomes improv troupes from around the country to perform alongside workshops and special events as part of its 10th anniversary. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026. Submit here.
Rogue Island Comedy Festival takes place October 8–11, 2026, in Newport, Rhode Island. The festival features diverse showcases of experienced comedians alongside nationally touring headliners. Selected comics are paid for their performances and receive perks including lodging (for eligible traveling comics), a festival T-shirt, complimentary food and drinks, festival swag, e-bike rentals, after-parties, and networking opportunities with club bookers. One submission is automatically considered for both the Fall 2026 and Spring 2027 festivals. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Submit here.
Little Egypt Comedy Festival takes place October 8–10, 2026, in Marion, Illinois. The festival highlights stand-up comedians from across the country and is dedicated to growing the comedy scene in Southern Illinois. Accepted performers receive at least two paid sets, dinner each night, shared lodging if needed, and access to festival after-parties. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026. Submit here.
Meadowlands Comedy Festival takes place the final week of April 2027, in Carlstadt, New Jersey, and New York City. The festival showcases comedians from around the world at venues across Northern New Jersey and New York City, including the Meadowlands Comedy Club and the iconic Copacabana. Selected performers have the opportunity to perform at multiple festival venues, with discounted early submissions available throughout July before the regular submission fee increases. Submission deadline: July 31, 2026 (early submission discount). Submit here.
Tower City Comedy Festival takes place January 28–30, 2027, in downtown Paris, Texas. Featuring 15+ shows and over 100 comics, podcasters, and performers, the festival offers stage time, panels, clinics, networking, and perks like meals, a hospitality suite, professional photos, and industry access. Submission deadlines: Early (May 31, 2026 – $25), Regular (July 31, 2026 – $35), Late (August 31, 2026 – $45). Comics must submit a video clip (at least 5 minutes). Notifications go out November 1, 2026. Submit here.
Funny Is Female Comedy Festival takes place October 22–25, 2026, in Oak Park, Illinois, at Comedy Plex Comedy Club. The festival showcases female comedians from around the country and features multiple performance opportunities across the weekend. Comics can submit for clean, dirty, or musical sets. Submission fee: $40 regular (through June 30), $55 late (through August 1). Submission deadline: August 1, 2026. Submit here.
Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Festival takes place August 10–16, 2026, in Tacoma, Washington, and offers a week of comedy showcases, industry education, networking, and special events at Nate Jackson’s Super Funny Comedy Club. The festival features classes and Q&As with Nate Jackson, Judy Carter (author of The Comedy Bible), industry agents and managers, and general managers from comedy clubs across the country. Comics can submit a 3–5 minute tape for consideration for more than 12 showcase shows, participate in festival open mics, attend networking events and after-parties, and gain insight into booking colleges, cruises, and corporate work, securing representation, and building a comedy career. Festival registration fee: $25 All-Access Pass (required for comedian submissions). Festival dates: August 10–16, 2026. Submission deadline: None, but prices rise in July. Submit here.
August Deadlines
Dyen for Laughs Comedy Competition runs October 10–11, 2026, in Palm Springs, CA at The Rock Gallery Comedy Club. The live stand-up competition features comedians performing in front of industry judges for a chance to win $5,000 in cash prizes. Submission deadlines: Early Bird ($20) March 1–April 1, Standard ($35) April 2–July 1, and Late ($45) July 2–August 1, 2026. Applicants must submit a 5-minute video, short bio, and Venmo handle with their application. Submit here.
St. Pete Improv Festival takes place September 10–12, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Florida, at Spitfire Comedy House. The festival is seeking 23 improv teams from across the country and offers a weekend of performances, workshops, networking, and community-building. Selected performers have the opportunity to teach workshops, connect with improvisers nationwide, and perform at one of the Tampa Bay area's most established comedy venues. Teams selected for the festival will have about a month to prepare for travel, and Spitfire has arranged discounted hotel rates through Hotel 1888. Applicants should note that requesting a specific performance date does not guarantee placement on that date; accepted teams will receive a final performance schedule after selection. Submission fee: $15. Submission deadline: August 3, 2026. Submit here.
Floodwater Comedy Festival takes place October 16–17, 2026, in Iowa City, Iowa. Produced by the volunteer-run Willow Creek Theatre Company, the festival features stand-up comedians, improvisers, sketch groups, and experimental comedy acts performing under one roof at the Willow Creek Theatre. Performers are selected on a rolling basis, with all offers sent shortly after submissions close. Submission deadline: August 3, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. Submit here.
Boston Comedy Festival Comedy Contest takes place November 10–14, 2026, in Boston, Cambridge, and Somerville, Massachusetts, featuring 72 comedians competing through preliminary, semifinal, and final rounds for a $7,000 prize pool. The long-running festival has helped launch comedians including Nate Bargatze, Marc Normand, Joe List, and Learnmore Jonasi, and performances take place at venues including City Winery, The Comedy Studio, The Rockwell, and Somerville Theatre. Submissions require a short bio and an unedited 5–7 minute performance video. Prize money: $5,000 for first place, $1,000 for second place, and $500 for third and fourth place. Submission fee: $35 ($45 for late submissions after August 1). Submission deadline: August 1, 2026 (late submissions accepted through August 15). Submit here.
Crooked Mouth Comedy Festival takes place October 15–18, 2026, in Endicott, New York, at Crooked Mouth Brewing, featuring more than 30 comedians from across the region alongside five festival headliners. The four-day festival includes multiple showcase performances, headliner events, and a Sunday brunch finale, providing selected comedians with opportunities to perform in front of comedy fans from throughout New York’s Southern Tier. Submissions require a completed application, headshot, bio, and a performance video under five minutes in length. Submission fee: $20. Submission deadline: August 1, 2026. Submit here.
Ha Ha Harvest Comedy Festival takes place October 2–4, 2026, in Jersey City and Hoboken, New Jersey, featuring stand-up comedians and independently produced shows, with opportunities to perform, host, and collaborate in a grassroots festival environment. Submissions require a 5–7 minute performance clip, headshot, and completed application, with options to submit as both a comic and show producer. Regular submissions run April 1–June 30 ($25), late submissions run July 1–July 31 ($35), and extended submissions run August 1–August 7 ($45). Submission deadline: August 7, 2026. Submit here.
SureKill Comedy Festival takes place September 30–October 3, 2026, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The inaugural festival celebrates comedy, horror, and the paranormal with themed stand-up, character acts, showcases, and variety performances across multiple Philadelphia venues. Organizers are seeking comedians with horror- or paranormal-themed material, including original show ideas or character bits, with selected performers appearing in 10–15 minute festival slots. A $10 nonrefundable submission fee applies. Submission deadline: August 8, 2026, with selections by August 15, 2026. Submit here.
Funny Under Fifteen Minutes Comedy Film Festival takes place March 26–27, 2027, in Hamilton, New York. Film screenings followed by Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and networking opportunities for filmmakers. Submissions must be 15 minutes or less in duration. Regular fee increases after August 8. Submissions continue until February 14, 2027. Submit here.
World Series of Comedy takes place throughout 2026 across various cities in the United States and Canada, culminating in a national “Main Event” festival in August/September, featuring stand-up competitions, industry panels, networking events, and booking opportunities with club owners and managers. Selected comedians compete in satellite contests with the chance to advance to the Main Event, where top performers can earn paid work opportunities, industry exposure, and a potential recording deal. Submissions require creating an account and submitting a performance video for review. Submission deadlines: Rolling across satellite events, with an overall deadline around August 16, 2026 (varies by location). Submit here.
FRINGE WORLD takes place January 20–February 14, 2027, in Perth, Western Australia, and is an open-access arts festival welcoming performers from around the world. Artists can apply to perform in ARTRAGE Managed Venues or register independently, with resources, marketing support, and festival tools available to participants. Submission deadline: August 17, 2026. Submit here.
Rivertowns Improv Fall Festival takes place October 16–17, 2026, in Croton-on-Hudson, New York, and celebrates improv in the Hudson Valley with performances, workshops, networking, and community events. The festival welcomes submissions from improv teams, individual performers, and workshop instructors, emphasizing an inclusive, LGBTQ+-friendly environment and featuring instruction from experienced improvisers and actors. Submission deadline: August 22, 2026. Submit here.
New York City Short Comedy Film Festival takes place November 8, 2026, in New York City, New York, and is dedicated exclusively to comedy short films. The festival accepts comedy films 20 minutes or less and sketch comedy videos 5 minutes or less, with awards including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Script. Selected filmmakers receive a complimentary festival pass, though travel and lodging are not provided. Submission deadline: August 31, 2026. Notification date: September 15, 2026. Submit here.
Vermont Comedy Festival takes place December 3–6th, 2026 across Woodstock, Killington, Bridgewater, and surrounding towns in Vermont, with performances centered around venues including The Woolen Mill Comedy Club, Pentangle Theater, The Grange Theater, Long Trail Brewery, and Killington Distillery. The festival accepts submissions for stand-up and musical comedy and offers selected performers opportunities to appear on at least one main stage show, the 1 Minute Stand-Up Battle Show, and additional satellite shows. Accepted comedians receive discounted lodging opportunities, festival swag, access to VIP events and discounts through an official festival badge, a kickoff party, closing party, and complimentary ski, snowboard, or snowshoe rentals through local partners. Submission fee: $30 early bird (June 15–21, 2026), $40 regular (June 22–August 22, 2026), and $50 late submissions (August 23–September 1, 2026). Submission deadline: September 1, 2026. Notification date: Around October 15, 2026. Submit here.
DEAD MIC COMEDY presents KILL IT LIVE takes place August 1, 2026 in Altoona, Pennsylvania at Funky Claude’s. The show is selecting 25 comedians from video submissions (no bucket pulls), with a 3-minute set for all comics and the top 3 returning for 5 minutes. Prizes include a NYC headlining showcase spot + $200 for 1st place. No submission deadline mentioned. Submit here.
September Deadlines
SF Sketchfest takes place January 14–31, 2027, in San Francisco, California, and features stand-up comedians, improv and sketch groups, solo shows, podcasts, musical comedy acts, self-produced short comedic plays, and alternative comedy. All selected acts receive compensation for participating, and applicants submit a live performance video for consideration. Submission deadline: September 2, 2026. Submit here.
Seattle International Comedy Competition takes place November 2026 across multiple venues in Western Washington (Seattle area), featuring a four-week stand-up competition with preliminaries, semifinals, and finals, bringing together 32 comedians from around the world. Selected comedians perform in at least one full week of shows, with the opportunity to advance through multiple rounds and compete for a $15,000+ prize pool (including $5,000 for first place), while gaining industry exposure and networking opportunities. Submissions require a completed application, a 5–10 minute continuous performance video, and a short comedy bio, along with a $25 non-refundable application fee. Submission deadline: September 6, 2026. Submit here.
Unclear, Much Later, and Rolling Deadlines + Opportunities
Vice City Comedy Festival takes place February 25–27, 2027, in Miami, Florida. The festival showcases emerging and established comedians from around the world with opportunities to perform alongside national talent across multiple venues. Accepted performers should expect a minimum of two sets, and international comedians are encouraged to apply. Submission deadline: October 31, 2026. Submit here.
Steel City Arts Foundation Grants are rolling grants for stand-up comedians pursuing comedy as a primary career. Applicants must be 18+, have performed stand-up at least 50 times, and have at least one year of comedy experience. Grants range from $200–$1,000 and require a 5+ minute stand-up video submission. No application fee. Applications accepted on a rolling basis. Apply here.
Free Comedy Special Filming (The Little Room) in Merrillville, Indiana offers comedians (focused on clean material) free professional taping and footage. Reach out to Patrick Ken Barry on Facebook if interested.
Bergamot Comedy Fest takes place March 30–April 3, 2027, in Santa Monica, California, and is a five-day nonprofit festival spotlighting stand-up comedians, college comics, and storytellers performing for invited industry professionals. Selected comedians perform two five-minute sets at The Crow and receive a professional set recording, headshots and stage portraits, networking opportunities, industry panels, a professional website, merchandise, and one meal per day. The festival also features educational programming, mixers, and career development events, with approximately 36 comedians selected through a multi-round review process. Submission deadline: November 30, 2026. Submit here.
Atlanta Comedy Film Festival runs January 22–24, 2027, in Atlanta, GA, at 7 Stages Theatre. Now in its 8th year, the filmmaker-first festival showcases comedy in all its forms through screenings, screenplay competitions, panels, workshops, and networking. The festival accepts short and feature-length comedy films, including stand-up, sketch, animated, dark comedy, horror comedy, mockumentary, series/episodic projects, comedy music videos, and LGBTQ+ comedy, as well as short and feature screenplays. Early bird submission deadline: January 30, 2026; final deadline: December 31, 2026. Submit here.
Improvention (Canberra International Improv Festival) takes place December 7–13, 2026, in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, and is Australia's largest gathering of improvisers, featuring intensive workshops, original format creation, guaranteed performance opportunities, networking events, and nightly shows. Participants can choose multi-day workshop packages led by international instructors, collaborate on brand-new improv formats, and perform in mainstage showcases throughout the festival. Submission deadline: Not specified (early registration is currently open). Submit here.
LA Comedy Film Festival takes place December 3–6, 2026, in Los Angeles, California, and accepts comedy submissions in a variety of categories, including feature films, short films, TV pilots, web series, sketch comedy, animated shorts, music videos, and short shorts. Selected projects screen as part of the festival and may receive exposure to industry professionals. Submissions must include an online screener link and all entries must be in English or subtitled/dubbed in English. Submission fee: starting at $65 (fees increase by deadline tier). Final submission deadline: October 16, 2026. Notification date: October 28, 2026. Submit here.
Cookies & Comedy Film Festival takes place March 13, 2027, at the Harris Theater in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, showcasing comedy short films from around the world alongside live stand-up comedy, filmmaker Q&As, networking opportunities, and plenty of cookies. The festival packed the house in 2026 with more than 40 comedy films and is returning for another day of screenings and live entertainment. Films must be primarily comedy, completed on or after January 1, 2025, and 20 minutes or less in length. Submission deadline: December 31, 2026. Schedule announcement: January 14, 2027. Submit here.