Next event to be held in May, Corporation confirms

The BBC has confirmed that its third comedy festival will be taking place in Glasgow in May.

The event is billed as a chance for both established producers and those taking their first steps in the TV industry, to discuss and celebrate the state of the industry, and  will kick-start a year of development and production opportunities in the nation, supported by Screen Scotland.

It follows similar festivals in Newcastle and Cardiff in 2022 and 2023 and comes as the final of this year's BBC New Comedy Award is being held in Scotland's biggest city tonight.

Jon Petrie, director of comedy at the BBC, pictured, said: ‘We’re delighted to be bringing the BBC Comedy Festival 2024, to Glasgow; a city steeped in a rich comedy history.

‘We look forward to continuing to build the festival’s reputation for celebrating our unique industry by showcasing some of the finest comedy minds working in the UK today and shining a spotlight on Scottish talent.’

David Smith, at Screen Scotland added: ‘This festival offers another chance for Scottish writers and performers to showcase their talent as well gaining valuable insight into building successful careers in TV.’

The Cardiff event featured 19 panels and masterclasses featuring the likes of Jesse Armstrong, Sharon Horgan, Rob Brydon, Diane Morgan, Guz Khan, Kayleigh Llewellyn, Jamie Demetriou and Peter Baynham. More than 5,700 tickets were available for those in the industry plus 2,500 for those taking their first steps in the industry plus students  and the general public.

The exact dates and timetable for the festival will be announced later.

Published: 6 Nov 2023