The deadline for registration for the Comedy Shorts Award has passed.
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
Staying Power
Lynne Parker
Nearly two years ago, life as we knew it dropped right off a cliff. I’ll be honest, I welcomed some aspects of this sudden change and haven’t missed the late nights travelling home on crowded public transport or the long dark motorway journeys that have coloured my life on the road since 2002.
It has been a relief to take a year or two off from the madness and expense of the Edinburgh Fringe and do the ‘normal’ summer holiday stuff that the non-comedy Muggles do in August.
Now, as the FOMO creeps up on me with gigs getting going again all over the country, I really want to acknowledge the openness and accessibility that the virtual space has brought to our community. This will forever be a part of our ethos as has proved fundamental to our ‘staying power.’
The online opportunity was always there of course, but largely as an ‘add on’ or ‘second best’ rather than being used as a key platform to hone your comedy craft. In truth, if you can perform in the virtual space then being on a stage in front of a living, breathing audience will be a doddle.
We have run two Funny Women Awards seasons online, apart from the finals, which has changed my perspective completely. The screen holds absolutely no hostages and to perform stand-up comedy to little squares, some of which remain resolutely blank, takes real cajones, particularly if it’s your first ever gig or you took up comedy during lockdown.
To celebrate we’re running a monthly online Open Mic gig and the first one of 2022 took place this week featuring 12 great acts, some very new and a few more experienced performers trying out new material.
Everybody rose to the virtual challenge and it was a lovely, inclusive, and fun night. Instead of live belly laughs and heckles there were friendly and supportive comments and emojis in the chatbox. The spirit of Funny Women has not diminished over the last two years.
Shows like this are the very embodiment of everything that I set out to achieve when I first created Funny Women. Staying around throughout the tough times is definitely our ‘super power’ and the last two years have really shown us what we’re capable of and consolidated our position within the broader comedy community. Bring on 2022 and all that it may hold as we’ve still got an awful lot to give.
Online Events coming up
There are still a few places left on our next Comedy Crash Course which takes place online from Monday 21st to Friday 25th February, booking details here.
To book a spot at one of our upcoming online Open Mic events please email mariana@funnywomen.com and the next gig takes place on Thursday 24th February. We need audiences too so please book your tickets in advance here!
Lynne Parker
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April Gig Guide
April’s back baby, and we are thrilled to hear it. Refreshed and chocolate-stuffed after the Easter Bank Holiday weekend, you should be in a prime state to enjoy some cracking comedy (promise that’s not an Easter egg pun).
Brighton Nights – Saturday 30th March
Get 7 days free, when you sign-up to our Patreon. New subscribers only.To view this content, you must be a member of the Funny Women Patreon at £1.5
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!
FREE Online Patreon Exclusive: Open House – Monday 1st April
Get 7 days free, when you sign-up to our Patreon. New subscribers only.To view this content, you must be a member of the Funny Women Patreon at £1.5