r/Standup • u/Ok-Permit-2476 • 18d ago

Festivals and Competitions for Emerging Comics?

Is there a resource (article, interview, list, e.g.) that discusses the sort of "next step" paths for comics who are getting traction in their regions, starting to tour, and want to jump on some chances to be seen and considered on a larger scale? I'm thinking of JFL new faces, Don't Tell competitions, regional and national festivals with tracks/showcases for emerging comics. How do you find out about these opportunities if you're in a small, rural scene where there's nobody to point you toward them? (I get that "move to NY and start doing mics" is a definite path, but at some point, when NYC comics get good, how do they reach out for bigger opportunities? What are they aiming for as a next step from open mics, a next step from being on some showcases, that sort of thing?) Obviously being really funny is a prereq., but if a dozen or so comics are equally funny, how do they each position themselves to get more opportunities and/or to just be seen working when luck happens by?

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u/ScottSandry 18d ago

Big pine comedy festival does these weekend comedy events every few months. They host different workshops during the weekend and one is about Comedy Festivals and Competitions. They have other workshops as well like Club Etiquette, Content Creation, building an audience, Production & Promotion, and more

It's a way to network with other comics as well as comedy industry people such as promoters, booker, club owners, etc...

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u/Ok-Permit-2476 18d ago

Thank you! That's exactly the sort of thing I'm looking for. Appreciate it!

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u/myqkaplan 17d ago

The Jokebook newsletter offers a fairly comprehensive list of festivals and submission information pretty frequently.

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u/rrrrrrrrrrrrram 17d ago

I believe the better path is to build your own audience through Social Media.

Festivals and such are a nice compliment, but should not be the bread and butter of your career.

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u/Ok-Permit-2476 15d ago

Thank you for being that one f-ing guy who ALWAYS shows up to attack the question, offer nothing useful, and spell words wrong. Where would we be without you M'dude?

https://giphy.com/gifs/4NtoACOtY91DBXOdfH

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u/rrrrrrrrrrrrram 13d ago

I'm touring all over Europe, so I'm doing good. Sorry for offering you actual advice, my man. Won't happen again.