New award launched

A new award has been set up to recognise comedy projects which aim to make the world a better place.

Judges in the Finger Awards considered more than 80 candidates from more than 30 countries for the inaugural accolade.

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony hosted by former TV executive turned comedian Cally Beaton next month as part of a broadcasting industry conference.

A lifetime achievement award will also be handed out to someone who has tried to use comedy to make a positive social impact.

Omri Marcus, director of the Finger Awards, said: ‘It was George Orwell that once said that every joke is a tiny revolution. It is clear today that the unique power of comedy is able to shake perceptions, raise awareness, ridicule social injustice and sometimes even literally change legislation. 

‘Our international community is all about joining forces to educate and collaborate. Our goal is to change the world for the better one joke at a time.’

The awards will be decided by a panel of more than 50 judges, including writers from The Simpsons, Family Guy and Have I Got News For You, and are being organised by Comedy for Change, an international community of comedy writers, performers and executives.

They will be handed out on December 5 at the Content London event at the St. Pancras Hotel in Central London.

Published: 20 Nov 2019