About

The Women in Comedy Festival was founded in 2012 by Hazel O’Keefe who at the time also ran Laughing Cows. Since then, Jessica Toomey, Director of the Frog and Bucket Comedy Club and FAB Comedy Management now runs the festival with the shared ethos and vision as Hazel.  

The festival aims to be an accessible and supportive event that celebrates, champions and promotes all things funny and female across a variety of platforms. This includes stand-up, comedy theatre, improv, sketches, workshops and debates.  A true showcase of the rich, diverse and extremely talented pool of women in comedy from the UK and abroad.

Described as one of ‘the UK’s best comedy festivals’ (The Skinny) the eighth annual 2017 Women In Comedy Festival will take place from Friday 6th until Sunday 15th October 2023 and submissions to perform at the festival are now open please visit https://forms.gle/J97itscgGpKPyX5D8

Highlights from the past five festivals and sister projects have included Susan Calman (Dead Boss / The News Quiz), Roisin Conaughty (Game Face), Jo Neary (Miranda / Ideal), Zoe Lyons (Mock The Week), Jo Enright (The Job Lot / Pheonix Nights) , Janey Godley, Kiri Pritchard-Mclean, The Birthday Girls, Gina Yashere, Desiree Burch, Sarah Millican, Shappi Khorshandi (Live at The Apollo), Shazia Mirza, Tanya Lee Davies (I am Spazicus) All Killa no Filla Live plus more

The festival has grown steadily over the years since the first event in 2013 and encompasses showcases, galas, networking events, training, panels, debates and workshops. The Women In Comedy Festival also offers training and mentorship opportunities with industry professionals and other leading creative organisations.

‘It’s a very positive event, attracting massive headline acts.’ (Manchester Evening News)