Awards

2024 AWARD WINNERS

2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show Winner: Sarah Keyworth (UK) – My Eyes Are Up Here

2024 Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show Nominees:
Celia Pacquola – I'm As Surprised As You Are
John Kearns (UK) – The Varnishing Days
Julia Masli (Estonia) – ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
Kanan Gill (India) – What Is This?
Lou Wall – The Bisexual's Lament
Oliver Coleman – Goof
Ray O'Leary (NZ) – Your Laughter Is Just Making Me Stronger
Rose Matafeo (NZ) – On And On And On
Takashi Wakasugi (Japan) – Japanese Aussie

2024 Golden Gibbo Winner: Dougie Baldwin – Detention

2024 Golden Gibbo Nominees:
Matt Bell – Dead To Me: A Comedy Ghost Tour
Granny Bingo – Brave New World
Alex Reynolds – Scrum
Mel McGlensey Is Motorboat
Helena Ruse & Pippa Mills – In Conversation With Christ

2024 Best Newcomer Winner: Noah Szto – Success In Everything

2024 Best Newcomer Nominees:
Bridget Hassed – Girl Girl Girl
Dylan Murphy & Molly Daniels – Are Dead
Laurence Driscoll – The Prodigay Son
Maddy Weeks – Never Gonna Die
Samuel Gebreselassie – I'm a Refugee... Get Me Out of Here!

2024 Piece of Wood Award Winner: Claire Hooper – So Proud
2024 Directors' Choice Award Winner: Ben Russell
2024 People's Choice Award Winner: Aaron Chen – Funny Garden
2024 Pinder Prize: Bronywn Kuss – Pillows XXXX

2024 RAW Comedy Winner: Omar Gad (NT)
2024 Deadly Funny Joint Winners: Kalah Lovegrove (Ngarrindjeri from SA) and Tyson Walker (Ramindjeri from QLD)
2024 Class Clowns Winner: Shayla Keane (WA)

2024 Funny Tonne Winner: Ryan Hamilton

 

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PREVIOUS AWARD WINNERS

Most Outstanding Show Award

Launched in 1998 as the Stella Award for Most Outstanding Show, renamed Barry Award for Most Outstanding Show in 2000 and renamed in 2019 as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival Award for Most Outstanding Show.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Sarah Keyworth – My Eyes Are Up Here 
2023: Gillian Cosgriff  – Actually, Good
2022: Rhys Nicholson – Rhys! Rhys! Rhys!
2021: Geraldine Hickey – What A Suprise
2019: James Acaster – Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999
2018: Sam Campbell – The Trough
2017: Hannah Gadsby – Nanette
2016: Zoë Coombs Marr – Trigger Warning
2015: Sam Simmons – Spaghetti For Breakfast
2014: Denise Scott – Mother Bare
2013: Rich Hall
2012: Dr Brown – Befrdfgth
2011: Russell Kane – Smokescreens and Castles
2010: Sammy J and Randy – Ricketts Lane
2009: The Pajama Men – Versus Vs Versus
2008 – Joint Winners: Nina Conti – Complete and Utter Conti; and Kristen Schaal – As you have probably never seen her before
2007: Daniel Kitson – it's the fireworks talking
2006: Demetri Martin – Dr Earnest Parrot presents Demetri Martin
2005: The Drowsy Drivers – Keating! The Opera
2004: Maria Bamford
2003: Mike Wilmot
2002: Ross Noble
2001: Brian Munich – Brian Munich & Friends
2000: The Boosh – Arctic Boosh
1999: Sue Ann Post – G Strings and Jockstraps
1998: Linda Haggar and Fahey Younger – Miss Itchy's Creme De Menthe Breakfast Show

 

Best Newcomer Award

Awarded to a solo performer or group of performers from Australia of New Zealand doing their first Festival show.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Noah Szto – Success In Everything
2023: Aiden Willcox & Isaac Haigh – Songs from the Heart in the Hole of my Bottom
2022: Frankie McNair – Relax Your Knees
2021: Charlie Zangel (Lewin) – Cockatiel
2019: Blake Freeman – There's Something There
2018: Danielle Walker – Bush Rat
2017 – Joint Winners: Aaron Chen – The Infinite Faces of Chenny Baby; and Angus Gordon – Sad Boy Comedy Hour
2016: Tom Walker – Beep Boop
2015: Corey White – The Cane Toad Effect
2014: Stella Young – Tales From The Crip
2013: Luke McGregor – My Soulmate Is Out Of My League
2012 – Joint Winners: Ronny Chieng – The Ron Way; and Matt Okine – Being Black & Chicken & S#%t
2011: Cassie Workman – Humans Are Beautiful
2010: Claudia O'Doherty – Monsters of the Deep 3D
2009: Tom Ballard – Is What He Is
2008: Nazeem Hussain & Aamer Rahman – Fear Of A Brown Planet
2007: Josh Thomas – Please Like Me
2006: Sammy J – Sammy J's 55 Minute National Tour
2005: Christina Adams – To Miss With Love
2004: The Kransky Sisters – We Don't Have Husbands & Eddie Perfect - Angry Eddie
2003: Flight of the Conchords
2002 – Joint Winners: Jim Russell, Marty Sheargold & Aidan Fennessy – The Trade; and The Drowsy Drivers – Northcote Country Soul
2001 – Joint Winners: Fiona O'Loughlin – Fiona and Her Sister (and some guy); and Cal Wilson – Hello Kitty
2000 – Joint Winners: Gerard McCulloch – An Englishman, an Irishman and a Scotsman walk into a Documentary; and Emma Bathgate – The Dilapidated Diva

 

The Golden Gibbo

In memory of the late, great Lynda Gibson, who passed away in 2004, the Golden Gibbo is awarded to a local, independent show that bucks trends and pursues the artist's idea more strongly than it pursues any commercial lure.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Dougie Baldwin – Detention
2023: Gillian Cosgriff – Actually, Good
2022: Alex Hines – To Schapelle And Back
2021: Nat Harris & Hannah Camilleri – Pét-Nat + Han ah Chocolat
2019: Josh Ladgrove & Neal Portenza – Neal Portenza is Joshua Ladgrove
2018: Cam Venn – Charles Horse Lays an Egg
2017: Granny Bingo – A Visit With Nan In A Caravan
2016: Zoë Coombs Marr – Trigger Warning
2015: Laura Davis – Ghost Machine
2014: Fancy Boy – Variety Show
2013: Simon Keck – Nob Happy Sock
2012: Lessons with Luis – By Myself
2011: Geraldine Quinn – You're The Voice: Songs For The Ordinary By An Anthemaniac
2010: Sam Simmons and David Quirk – The Incident
2009: The List Operators
2008: The Suitcase Royale – The Ghosts of Ricketts Hill
2007: The Glass Boat
2006: Greg Bird – Cliffy is Relaxed and Comfortable
2005: The Drowsy Drivers – Keating! The Opera
2004 – Joint Winners: Jeremy & Jo Randerson – Carry on Randerson; and Eddie Perfect – Angry Eddie

 

The Piece of Wood Award

The comics' choice gong is a beloved (and much bitten) piece of wood. Determined by an ever-growing committee of comedians (as each year's winner is entitled to join the voting process), it is awarded to comics for 'doing good stuff n' that'.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Claire Hooper – So Proud
2023: Dan Rath – All Quiet Carriage Along The Inner Western Line
2022: Tina Del Twist – Caravan in the Sky
2021: Greg Karsen – This Might Be Hell
2019: Geraldine Hickey – Things Are Going Well
2018: Heath Franklin – Bogan Jesus
2017: Luke Heggie – Rough Diamanté
2016: Chris Wainhouse – The ANTICHRIS
2015: Anne Edmonds – You Know What I’m Like
2014: Sarah Kendall – Touchdown
2013: David Quirk – Shaking Hands With Danger
2012: Bob Franklin & Steven Gates – Stubborn Monkey Disorder  
2011: Harley Breen – I Heart Bunnings: Stories About My Brothers
2010: Sam Simmons – Fail
2009: Lawrence Mooney – Make The Girls Laugh
2008: Tom Gleeson – Tom-A-Thon
2007: Andy Zaltzman
2006: Damian Callinan & Fiona O'Loughlin
2005: Tony Law
2004: Andrew McClelland
2003: Justin Hamilton
2002: Michael Chamberlin & Charlie Pickering
2001: Rich Fulcher
2000: Stewart Lee
1999: Simon Munnery
1998: Linda Haggar and Fahey Younger

 

The Directors' Choice Award

The Directors' Choice is awarded by the Comedy Festival Director, in consultation with visiting international Festival Directors and venue programmers, to a fabulous show that somehow missed out on other prize.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Ben Russell
2023: Takashi Wakasugi (JPN) – Japanese Worry
2022 – Joint Winners: Wil Anderson – Wilogical, and Bronwyn Kuss – Any Goss?
2021: Melanie Bracewell (NZ) – The Rumours Are True
2019: Aaron Chen – piss off (just kidding)
2018: Michelle Brasier & Laura Frew – Double Denim Adventure Show
2017: Demi Lardner – Look What You Made Me Do
2016 – Joint Winners: True Aussie Patriots – Live; and Zanzoop – Feeble Minds
2015: Matt Okine – The Other Guy
2014: Ronny Chieng – Chieng Reaction
2013: Mel Buttle – How Embarrassment
2012 Joint Winners: Dr Brown & Stuart Bowden – Dr Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown: The Kids’ Show; and Rod Quantock – Third Annual Mystery Comedy Walking Tour
2011: Denise Scott – Regrets
2010: Hannah Gadsby – The Cliff Young Shuffle
2009: The Bedroom Philosopher – Songs From The 86 Tram
2008: Sam Simmons
2007: Justin Hamilton
2006: Men of Steel & Nick Sun – Blood on the Yolks in the Key of Owls
2005: Tim Minchin – Darkside

 

The People's Choice Award

Launched in 2010 as the Bulmers People's Choice Award, the People’s Choice Award recognises the most popular show of the Festival as determined by audiences via ticket sales.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Aaron Chen – Funny Garden
2023: Urzila Carlson (NZ/Sth Africa) – Just No!
2022: Urzila Carlson (NZ/Sth Africa) – It’s Personal
2021: Daniel Sloss (SCO) – Hubris
2019: Urzila Carlson – Loser
2018: Lano & Woodley – Fly
2017 – Joint Winners: Wil Anderson – Critically Wil, Denise Scott & Judith Lucy – Disappointments
2016: Carl Barron – Drinking With A Fork
2015: Wil Anderson – Free Wil
2014: Wil Anderson – Wiluminati
2013: Arj Barker – Go Time
2012: Wil Anderson – Wilarious  
2011: Wil Anderson – Man vs. Wil
2010: Wil Anderson – Wilful Misconduct

 

Pinder Prize

The Pinder Prize honours Festival co-founder John Pinder, one of Australian comedy’s most influential producers and biggest fans. The Award supports a performer to travel to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and present a show at Assembly Theatres where John presented many Australian artists.

PAST WINNERS:
2024: Bronwyn Kuss – Pillows XXX
2023: Hannah Camilleri – Lollybag
2022: Danielle Walker – Nostalgia
2019 – Joint Winners: Steph Tisdell – The Pyramid; and Sam Taunton – Straight From The Shoulder
2018: Demi Lardner – I Love Skeleton
2017: Damien Power – Utopia: Now in 3D!
2016: Tom Ballard – The World Keeps Happening

 

The Critics' Award

The Critics' Award was the reviewers' gong, in its later years known as The Age Critics' Choice Award for the best local act. This Award was presented between 2001 and 2010.

PAST WINNERS:

2010: Asher Treleaven – Secret Door
2009: Celia Pacquola – Am I Strange?
2008: Sammy J – In The Forest of Dreams
2007: Lawerence Leung – Learns to Breakdance
2006: Judith Lucy – I Failed
2005: The Drowsy Drivers – Keating! The Opera
2004: The Kransky Sisters – We Don't Have Husbands
2003 – Joint Winners: Paul McDermott, Cameron Bruce & Mick Moriarty – GUD UGH; and Denise Scott, Judith Lucy & Lynda Gibson – Comedy Is Still Not Pretty
2002: Ross Noble
2001: Brian Munich – Brian Munich & Friends

 

RAW Comedy

RAW Comedy is Australia's biggest and most prestigious national open mic comedy competition. Heats take place all over Australia from January every year and culminate in the National Grand Final in Melbourne in April.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Omar Gad (NT)
2023: Henry Yan (VIC)
2022 – Joint Winners: Alexandra Hudson (NSW) and Bron Lewis (QLD)
2021: Prue Blake (VIC)
2019: Fady Kassab (NSW)
2018: Bec Melrose (NSW)
2017: Zack Dyer (QLD)
2016: Danielle Walker (VIC)
2015: Angus Gordon (QLD)
2014: Matt Stewart (VIC)
2013: Demi Lardner (SA)
2012: Lessons with Luis (VIC)
2011: Dayne Rathbone (ACT)
2010: Luke Heggie (NSW)
2009: Cassie Workman (WA)
2008: Neil Sinclair (VIC)
2007: Jonathan Schuster (VIC)
2006: Hannah Gadsby (TAS)
2005: Josh Thomas (QLD)
2004: Nick Sun (NSW)
2003 – Joint Winners: Nelly Thomas (VIC); and Steve Sheehan (SA)
2002: Dave Elvins (NSW)
2001: Emily O'Loughlin (SA)
2000: Drew Rokos (VIC)
1999: Chris Wainhouse (QLD)
1998: Chris Franklin (NSW)
1997: Subby Valentine (NSW) 
1996: Anthony Manchetti (VIC)

 

Class Clowns

Each year hundreds of secondary school students from Years 9-12 participate in the Class Clowns competition – the Festival’s nation-wide search for Australia’s funniest teen.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Shayla Keane (WA)
2023: Kate Kindleysides (QLD)
2022: Erin Almeida (VIC)
2021: Dhruv Rhao (SA)
2019: Patti Fawcett (VIC)
2018: Awkward – Liam Adam, Carlin Carruth & Kyle Bennett (QLD)
2017: Daniel Reeve (NSW)
2016: Lauren Duong (ACT)
2015: William McKenna (VIC)
2014: Gregor Tarrant (VIC)
2013: James Warren (TAS)
2012: Aaron Chen (NSW)
2011: Tom Matthews (SA)
2010: Matthew Ford (QLD)
2009: Neel Kolhatkar (NSW)
2008: Aaron Nobes (SA)
2007: H2Woe – Jake Machin and James Seamark (VIC)
2006: Adam Knox
2005 – Joint Winners: Imann Hadchiti; and Tobey Duncan
2004: Stephen Brooks
2003: Short Suited – Tully Hansen & Evan Dowling (TAS)
2002: Jeremy Dooley & Mario Cicitta (VIC)
2001: Paul Saunders (VIC)
2000: The Fat Chicks Bite Back (VIC)
1999: Martin Atta (VIC)
1998: Gareth Moloney (VIC)
1996: Ebony-Jo Gamble (VIC)

 

Deadly Funny

Cheeky and loud, black and proud, the Deadly Funny national comedy competition unearths the freshest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent from across the country.

PAST WINNERS:

2024 – joint winners: Kalah Lovegrove (Ngarrindjeri, SA) and Tyson Walker (Ramindjeri, QLD)
2023: Shahnee Hunter (Djabugay, Ewamian, Mbabaram & Butchulla, QLD)
2022: Janty Blair (QLD)
2021: Jahmarley Dawson (QLD)
2019: Fabian Woods (WA)
2018: Leon Filewood (TI)
2017: Ghenoa Gela (NSW)
2016: Jalen Sutcliffe (QLD)
2015: Nina Kirby (VIC)
2014: Stephanie Tisdell (QLD)
2011: Tristan Savage (QLD)
2010: Denise McGuinness (VIC)
2009: Shiralee Hood (WA)
2008: Kevin Kropinyeri (SA)
2007: Mia Stanford

 

Funny Tonne

Since 2005, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has challenged die-hard fans of funny to see as many shows as they can across the 26 days of events and then write and post engaging daily reviews. The competition challenges both stamina and writing prowess. The person who saw the most Festival shows and wrote the most reviews is crowned winner of this annual comedy marathon.

PAST WINNERS:

2024: Ryan Hamilton
2023: Caitlin Burns
2022: Tessa Stickland
2021: Bren Carruthers
2019: John Souness
2018: Alasdair Bryant
2017: William Erskine - 154 shows
2016: Jeremy MacPherson - 164 shows
2015: Sarah Trevarthen - 178 shows
2014: Chris Menezies - 158 shows
2013: Nick Taras - 147 Shows