Thank you for being a friend, Betty White 1922-2021

Funny Women

Funny Women

In the spirit of 2021, the actor, animal rights activist and legend Betty White died just weeks shy of her 100th birthday. During her career, which spanned seven decades, White broke boundaries, won fans from every generation, and scored eight Emmy Awards.

Taking Lucille Ball’s lead, after roles in films, TV, and radio and having won her first Emmy, White became one of the first women in the 1950s to produce TV before becoming the first woman to host a game show.

Several successful TV shows and awards followed, but it is probably her role as the naive Rose Nylund in The Golden Girls, which ran from 1985 to 1992, for which White is most fondly remembered. A show about four single women living together in Miami, widows Rose and Blanche along with divorcee Dorothy and her octogenarian mother Sofia. Despite playing ‘the dumb blonde’, White gave Rose a certain steel and her ‘back in St Olaf’ stories often packed more of a punch than her room mates anticipated.

When The Golden Girls ended White showed no signs of slowing down, instead she took on roles in shows such as Boston Legal, Hot in Cleveland and made her soap opera debut in The Bold and the Beautiful. After a Facebook campaign in 2010 White hosted Saturday Night Live and was a hit.

Betty White will remain a comedy pioneer for funny women across the world.

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From the Funny Women Team

BIG Comedy Conference: Review

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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March Gig Guide 

What better way to enjoy the lighter evenings than booking in some fantastic live comedy. We’ve rounded up our recommendations for this month’s funnies, from some new, some not-so-new tour shows, to our very own International Women’s Day event, to variety nights and more.

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We’re Live again in London!

At a time when we’re hearing from members of our very own Funny Women community that some comedy spaces feel less safe than ever, we are so thrilled to announce the return of London’s open mic night, Funny Women Live in London, (formerly Time of the Month) in an amazing new venue! 

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New look for Brighton

It is with absolute joy and pride, I embark on the role of producer for Funny Women Live in Brighton.
The Funny Women shows at Komedia have always been extremely important and successful. In fact this is Funny Women’s longest standing relationship with a venue.

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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