Talks, panels and screenings coming to Norhtern Ireland in May

Belfast is to host the next BBC Comedy Festival, it has been announced today.

The event will be a chance for producers, both established and new, to celebrate and explore comedy in the UK, and aims to kick-start a year of development and production opportunities in the region.

It will build on the success of the last three years in Glasgow, Cardiff and Newcastle, bringing together the comedy industry – and members of the public – for a series of talks, panels, screenings, and live comedy shows.

This year’s festival was held in Glasgow and featured 70 comedy names including Armando Iannucci, Dawn French, Stefani Robinson, Ashley Storrie, Mawaan Rizwan, Reece Shearsmith, Steve Pemberton, Tom Basden, Robert Popper, Michelle De Swarte and the cast of Two Doors Down. 

Jon Petrie, BBC director of comedy, said: ‘We’re proud to bring the BBC Comedy Festival to Belfast next year. The festival has become a key fixture in the comedy production community’s calendar, and we look forward to hosting another year of fun, engaging, and thought-provoking sessions and masterclasses, while showcasing the best comedic talent from Northern Ireland and across the UK.’

Eddie Doyle, the BBC’s head of content commissioning in Northern Ireland, adds: ‘This is brilliant news for comedy creatives in Northern Ireland – and there are plenty of them. 

‘The Comedy Festival is a fantastic opportunity for performers and writers here to showcase their talents and get valuable insight and advice from network comedy commissioners, developers and decision makers.’

More information on the dates, venues and how to get tickets will be announced closer to the time.

Published: 14 Nov 2024