Shortlists out for best Fringe show and best newcomer

The nominees for this year’s Edinburgh Comedy Awards have been announced.

Up for Sky Best Comedy Show show are

• Ahir Shah: Ends @ Monkey Barrel Comedy - Monkey Barrel 3
• Ania Magliano: I Can't Believe You've Done This @ Pleasance Courtyard - Beyond
• Emmanuel Sonubi: Curriculum Vitae @ Underbelly - Dairy Room
• Ian Smith: Crushing @ Monkey Barrel Comedy - Monkey Barrel 1
• Janine Harouni: Man'oushe @ Pleasance Courtyard - Beneath
• Julia Masli: ha ha ha ha ha ha ha @ Monkey Barrel Comedy - Monkey Barrel 4
• Kieran Hodgson: Big In Scotland @ Pleasance Courtyard - Beyond
• Phil Ellis’s Excellent Comedy Show @ Monkey Barrel Comedy - Hive 2

This year’s nominees for DLT Entertainment Best Newcomer are:

• Bill O'Neill: The Amazing Banana Brother @ Pleasance Courtyard - Beside
• Dan Tiernan: Going Under @ Monkey Barrel Comedy - Monkey Barrel 2
• Lindsey Santoro: Pink Tinge @ Pleasance Courtyard - The Attic
• Louise Young: Feral @ Pleasance Courtyard - Bunker One
• Martin Urbano: Apology Comeback Tour @ Pleasance Courtyard - Bunker Three
• Paddy Young: Hungry, Horny, Scared @ Pleasance Courtyard - Above
• Urooj Ashfaq: Oh No! @ Assembly George Square - The Crate

Nica Burns, director of the Edinburgh Comedy Awards, said: 'It’s been a brilliantly vibrant year with a very high standard of comedy across the Fringe. 

'Our international, diverse group of shortlisted comedians come from a huge variety of backgrounds and their work embraces every type of comedy from clowning to pure stand-up, with many variations along the way.  What they all do is make people laugh.'

Sky Studios producer Adnan Ahmed, who chaired the judges, said: 'The panel is delighted to announce such a strong list of funny shows. We’ve been wowed by the levels of joy and invention displayed by all of the performers and can’t wait to crown two worthy winners.'

The accolades, first given out in 1981, had been at risk after organisers struggled to find a sponsor to cover the costs after broadcaster Dave’s three-festival deal had come to an end.

But after Burns put out a call for backers, Sky, DLT Entertainment and The Victoria Wood Foundation - joined her in sponsoring the prizes. Winner of best show will receive £10,000 with £5,000 for best newcomer and £5,000 for the panel prize, which has no nominees.

All will be announced at a ceremony on Saturday.

Published: 23 Aug 2023