Gilded Balloon's new act hunt returns

Applications are now open for this year’s So You Think You’re Funny? new act competition.

Founded by Gilded Balloon boss Karen Koren in 1988, the talent hunt is the oldest amateur stand up comedy competition in the UK .

Previous winners and finalists have included Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Sarah Millican, Johnny Vegas, Aisling Bea, Dylan Moran and Jack Whitehall as winners and finalists in previous years.

The winner of the 2025 edition will receive:

• An unspecified  cash prize.
• A fully paid for solo show (or mixed bill) run as part of the Gilded Balloon’s Fringe programme.
• Up to 4 mentorship meetings (virtual or in person) with Channel 4's comedy commissioning team in the year following the final.
• A paid performance slot in the Comedy Arena and weekend pass at Latitude Festival in the year following the competition
• Other paid performance slots at the UK's best comedy clubs including the Glee Club, the Boat Show and more. 
• Complimentary headshot photoshoot by professional photographer Steve Ullathorne.
• Complimentary filmed copy and professional photographs of their spot from the final to use in their show-reel.
• Mentorship and support from Karen and Katy Koren, artistic directors at Gilded Balloon and Julia Chamberlain, the So You Think You’re Funny? producer for more than 20 years.

There are also prizes for the runners-up.

The deadline is  February 28 and  regional heats will be held nationwide from March until June with selected applicants performing up to seven minutes of original material. The semi-finals and final take place during the Edinburgh Fringe. Apply here.

Alana Jackson won last year’s competition, with Ciara O’Connor coming in as first runner-up and Ayo Adenekan as second runner-up. Since the final, Alana has received over 2.7 million views on a viral clip from her set describing Glasgow funerals.

Published: 21 Jan 2025