Janty Blair is officially Deadly
Winner of Aboriginal comedy competition crowned
Janty Blair has been crowned winner of this year’s Deadly Funny comedy competition for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander comedians.
The comic, from Butchulla, Queensland, triumphed over 10 other finalists to claim the $2,000 top prize at the event run by the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
Special mentions were given to Dora Smith, from Western Australia and David Human from New South Wales. His wife Jessie was another of the finalists.
The panel of industry experts who judge the event said in a statement: 'The Deadly Funny Grand Final performances were a great representation of the next generation of First Nations comedy from all over Australia. It was a really eclectic mix of all ages, all perspectives.’
The full list of finalists was:
- Bel Mac (Kukatha/Wikangu, Kaurana, SA)
- Ben Moodie (Gamilaroi, VIC)
- Cameron Ribbons (Kamilaroi, ACT)
- Dave Human (Wiradjuri, Living Dunghutti country, NSW)
- Dora Smith (Yawuru/Noongar, Broome & Perth, WA)
- Gavin Sempel (Dharawalm, VIC)
- Janty E Blair (Butchulla, QLD)
- Jessie Human (Wiradjuri Dharug and Dharkinjung, NSW)
- Kylan Abrum (Yidinji, QLD)
- Maureen French (Darug, NSW)
- Nathan Wright (Larrakia/Wurrumungu, NT).
Previous winners include Kevin Kropinyeri, who hosted the final, Steph Tisdell, Ghenoa Gela, Jalen Sutcliffe and Shiralee Hood,.
Published: 18 Apr 2022
