We combed the internet for comedy festivals that have open submissions during the month of May so you don't have to! We have improv, stand-up, sketch and more covered below! Just click the names of the festivals to follow their link! We'll be updating throughout the month as new info comes in so be sure to check back!
Stand-Up
Motor City Comedy Festival -Deadline May 1st (show dates Sept. 14-17)
Asheville Comedy Festival - Deadline May 15th (show dates Aug. 10-12)
10,000 Laughs Comedy Festival - Early Bird ends May 20th, overall July 5th (show dates Oct. 12-14)
Burbank Comedy Festival - Deadline June 1st (show dates Aug. 13-19)
NoHo Comedy Festival - Deadline June 15th (show dates Aug. 17-19)
Laughing Skull Comedy Festival - Deadline June 15th (show dates Oct. 5-8)
Funlap Comedy Festival - Deadline July 1st (show dates Sept. 29-30)
Fountain City Comedy Festival - Deadline July 1st (show dates Oct. 5-7)
Hell Yes Fest - Deadline July 1st (show dates Nov. 15-20)
CloudTop Comedy Festival - Early Bird ends July 31st, overall Nov. 1st (show dates May 9-11, 2024)
San Francisco Comedy Competition - Deadline Aug. 1st (show dates Sept. 1-24)
Lookout Comedy Festival - Deadline Aug. 1st (show dates in October)
The World Series of Comedy - Deadline Aug. 14th (Main Event show dates in Sept. '23)
5th Borough Comedy Festival - Deadline Aug. 15th (show dates Aug. 31-Sept. 3)
Halifax Comedy Festival - Deadline Oct. 1st (show dates April 24-28, 2024)
Seattle International Comedy Competition - Closing when they've selected the entire field (show dates Nov. 1-26)
Film
Knox Comedy Film Fest - Deadline July 3rd (show date Aug. 12)
Portland Comedy Film Festival - Early deadline May 31st, overall July 31st (show date Oct. 15)
Stand-Up/Film
The Riot Comedy Festival - Discount for First 100 Submitters, Regular deadline Aug. 31st, overall Sept. 9th (show dates Apr. 4-7)
Sketch
Portland Sketch Comedy Festival - Deadline May 1st (show dates July 20-22)
Sketch/Feature, Short, & Animated Film/Music Video/Web Series/ TV Pilot
LA Comedy FilmFest - $30 Off ends May 26th, overall Sept. 8th (show dates Nov. 2-12)
Stand-Up/Stand-Up Specials/Sketch, Short, & Animated Film/Music Video
Laugh After Dark ComedyFest - Extended Fee ends June 10th, overall June 30th (show dates Oct. 1-5)
Stand-Up/Improv/Sketch
Portland Maine Comedy Festival - Regular fee ends May 26th, overall June 19th (show dates Aug. 23-27)
Stand-Up/Improv/Sketch/Musical/Video
Blue Whale Comedy Festival - Deadline overall May 14th (show dates July 27-29)
Vermont Comedy Festival - Deadline June 15th (show dates Nov. 30-Dec. 3)
Variety
Greater Manchester Fringe Festival - Accepting until end of June (show dates July 1-31)
Stand-Up/Improv/Sketch/Musical/Short & Feature Film/Variety/Anything Comedy
All the Laughs Comedy Awards - Late Deadline June 1st, overall Aug. 1st (show dates Oct. 6-8) Use Promo Code: ThereItIs23 for a discount!
Stand-Up/Improv/Sketch/Musical/One-Person Show/Alt Comedy Acts
Milwaukee Comedy Festival - Deadline May 1st (show dates Oct. 1-8)
Stand-Up/Improv/Sketch/Podcast/Storytelling
Chroma Comedy Festival - Deadline May 20th (show dates July 20-23)
All Jane Comedy Festival - Deadline May 20th (show dates Sept. 27-Oct. 1)
Stand-Up/Improv/Podcast/Musical/Show
Big Pine Festival - Deadline June 23rd (show dates Sept. 28-30)
Stand-Up/Improv/Podcast/Video Short
Tower City Comedy Festival - Deadline Aug. 30th (show dates Jan. 25-27, 2024)
Improv/Show
Red Rocks Improv Festival - Deadline July 1st (show dates Sept. 28-30)
Improv
Baltimore Improv Festival - Deadline May 7th (show dates July 31-Aug. 5th)
INDIEpendence Day Fest - Deadline May 27th (show dates July 1-4)
Big Pond Improv Festival - Deadline June 23rd (show dates Aug. 23-27)
Vintage Improv Festival - Submit by emailing miki@vintageimprov.org by July 15th (show dates Oct. 3-9)
Secret City Improv Festival - Deadline July 24th (show dates Oct. 6&7)
Third Coast Improv Fest - Deadline Aug. 15th (show dates Sept. 28-30)
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