Funny Women Awards Announces UN Women as New Charity Partner

Funny Women

Funny Women

We are excited to announce that our new charity partner for the Funny Women Awards is UN Women. The 2017 Funny Women Awards final is set to be one of the signature events for the HeForShe London Arts Week 2018 in support of UN Women, which takes place 8th to 15th March 2018.

HeForShe believes that to achieve real change for women and girls globally, we need to change culture and the Arts have an ability to make people re-think established views and explore challenging topics.  Emma Watson is one of a raft of high profile celebrities who have voiced their support of the HeForShe movement speaking up for the rights of women across the world. We now want to add our voice and encourage more men to advocate for women in comedy.

Emma Watson at the launch of HeForShe

 

So, in the spirit of the HeForShe movement, this year we are inviting six male comedians (you have to give them a chance) to mentor our six 2017 Stage Award finalists. Last year our finalists were mentored by the six incredible women performers – Sara Pascoe, Ellie Taylor, Jan Ravens, Tiffany Stevenson, Zoe Lyons and Shazia Mirza – no pressure boys!

Laura Haynes, Chair of the UN Women National Committee UK said: We are delighted to confirm the Funny Women Awards as one of our signature events for HeForShe London Arts Week 2018 in support of UN Women.

“We know that the only way to achieve real change is to change culture.  The arts have a key role in guiding and reflecting culture, helping people to re-think established norms and explore challenging topics in a thoughtful way.  And laughter, when shared, can help to unite.  As well as making us laugh, the Funny Women Awards will be helping to open minds and encourage action.”

Our founder, Lynne Parker said: “I am immensely proud that the charity final of the 2017 Funny Women Awards will be a signature event during HeForShe Arts week next year.  We have already received a record number of entries this year across all four Awards categories and over 400 women are signed up to compete in live heats for the coveted Stage Award. The stakes are high.

 “Women have such a strong and important voice in the comedy industry and so many of today’s big names have taken part in the Awards at the beginning of their careers.  I am excited to see who comes next and looking forward to seeing some brilliant new comedy over the next two months around the UK.”

Get your tickets to watch a Funny Women Awards heat near you.  All events listed here

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Funny Women joined in on the fun and knowledge-sharing at the British Comedy Guide’s Big Comedy Conference in London on Saturday 16th of March. By a show of hands, the majority of attendees were writers (and unrepresented ones at that). Also present were producers, directors and even stand up comics like me.

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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