The
Judging
Process
GRAND FINAL IN
Stage Award
Registration closeD 23:59 1st June 2025
Round 1
Every video is watched and scored by at least two different viewers from the world of live and broadcast comedy industry.
Round 2
The top videos are then reviewed and scored by new industry figures. The top scoring candidates from those entrants will go through to the Heats.
Heats
‘Heats’ will take place from 23rd June – 30th July 2025 entrants will be judged by panels of top industry professionals.
In Round 2, everyone is still being judged on a “performance”.
Live and online heats are simply a way for us to see some acts in action and to offer performance opportunities where we can.
Online heats are limited, and we’re prioritising these for non-UK-based entrants in an effort to make things as accessible and inclusive as possible.
For those not attending any type of heat, the original video submission is still part of Round 2 and will be reviewed by a new panel of judges.
At both the live and online heats, there is an ‘audience choice’ vote — selecting one act to go straight through to the Semi-Finals. This is a wildcard option, designed to reflect live audience response in the room — something that’s an important part of the live comedy experience.
Different paths, same destination. We’re offering flexible ways to be judged fairly and consistently — whether via video, in person, or online.
Our highest scoring entrants will be contacted by email, and the list will be published on 2nd August 2025, inviting those selected to the Semi-Finals.
Semi-Finals
The Semi-Finals will take place from 12th-29th August 2025.
The top scoring entrants progressing to the Stage Award Final will be revealed on 31st August 2025
Finals
10 finalists will compete in-person at the Stage Award Final on 25th September 2025 at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
Content Creator
Nominations Open
The Content Creator Award is entirely publicly nominated.
Nominations are made on this very website only starting from 1st April 2025.
Nominations Close
Nominations close 23:59GMT on 25th August 2025.
public voting on the top 20 nominations
Voting opens 12:00GMT on Monday 1st September.
The Content Creator receiving the most votes by this night of the final will be the winner of the Awards
Finals
The winner will be announced at the Stage Award Final on 25th September 2025 at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
Comedy Shorts Award
Registration closeD 1 June 2025
Round 1
Every video is allocated to a panel of viewers from Funny Women and the narrative comedy and broadcast industry. Every video will be scored by two different viewers, before the marks average is worked out and the longlist created.
Round 2
Those lucky enough to be on the longlist will be announced w/c 4th August 2025 on the Funny Women site and social media. Judging continues until we reach our Shortlist of 10 films
Round 3
The Shortlist will be announced via the website, social media and emails to the successful entrants on 31st August 2025.
These Shortlisted videos will then be viewed by our exclusive panel of top industry judges who will then decide which ones should make it to the top three.
The top three will be announced via website, social media and email in 8th September 2025.
Finals
The winner will be announced at the Stage Award Final on 25th September 2025 at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
Comedy Writing Award
Registration closeD 1 JUNE 2025
Round 1
Round 2
AMEND!
This year we have received over 200 entries. Our small team of readers is trying to make sure every script receives proper attention. Therefore we have had to extend the reading period.
Those lucky enough to be on the longlist will be announced on the Funny Women site and via social media w/c 25th August 2025. Again all scripts will be read twice before their scores are averaged and those with the highest marks are shortlisted.
Round 3
For our final round the Shortlist will be announced via the website and emails to the successful entrants on 31st August 2025. These Shortlisted scripts will then be read by each of our exclusive panel of top industry judges who will then decide which scripts should make it to the top three.
The top three will be announced via website, social media and email on 8th September 2025.
Finals
The winner will be announced at the Stage Award Final on 25th September 2025 at the Bloomsbury Theatre, London.
