Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025 judging panel applications open
The Edinburgh Comedy Awards have opened their annual competition to find comedy fans to join the judging panel.
They say: "Do you want to go to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe for free? Think you could handle more than 100 hours of comedy in two weeks? Then you may have what it takes to be an Edinburgh Comedy Award Panellist.
"We are offering you the chance to join the judging panel for Edinburgh Comedy Awards, Britain's most important prize for comedy as it celebrates 45 years of discovering comedy genius. You will be part of the panel voting for the Best Comedy Show and the Best Newcomer at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
"You need to be a regular visitor to live comedy and have bags of energy. You will be expected to see a minimum of six shows a day. Each day you will feedback your opinions of what you've seen to our administrative team and then contribute in the official panel meetings with your fellow panellists. Through this process we find the winners."
Jake Helliwell from Sheffield, one of the public panellists in 2024, says of his experience: "Being on the judging panel was a fantastic experience that allowed me to see more comedy in a few weeks than I would otherwise manage in a year or two! I was able to see lots of existing favourites and discover many new ones too. It was great to meet so many people that are also passionate about comedy, whether fellow panellists, ex-panellists that are now part of the scout network, or just people I got chatting to. Watching that amount of comedy in such a short space of time (110 hours in 24 days) and discussing in depth with other comedy nerds really developed my understanding. I can think of no better way for a true comedy fan to spend August right in the heart of Edinburgh, right in the heart of the comedy world!"
Beth Moon from Edinburgh, who was also selected last year, comments: "Applying for the Edinburgh Comedy Awards panel was one of the best things I have done, and has changed the shape of Fringe for me forever. Obviously getting to see so many comedy shows, especially ones you would never have thought to go to otherwise, and discovering new favourite acts is an amazing part of the experience. However, the education I received by using a critical eye in reviewing comedy, and the knowledge gained from the discussions with the rest of the panel as we decided which shows stood out and why, made the month I spent on the panel absolutely invaluable and has changed how I digest comedy from now on. It was such a unique and exciting experience and, although it is exhausting and a lot of commitment and dedication over 4 intense weeks, I would do it again in a heartbeat."
How to enter
The producers explain:
So show us your credentials. We are looking for real punters who know and care about comedy. You must be available to stay in Edinburgh from 8th - 23rd August as a minimum. In return, Edinburgh Comedy Awards will provide you with accommodation, travel, show tickets and invitations to the best bars and parties in town! You will be supported throughout the process by our administrative team and our extended family of ex-panellists who are now our brilliant scouts.
1. Tell us in approx 350 words why you are the best candidate.
2. Write three short reviews, no more than 150 words each, of your three favourite live comedy acts.
3. Entries must reach us by 9th May 2025 at 12pm. If you are shortlisted, you will be required to attend an informal interview in London or online on 19th or 20th May 2025. Travel expenses out of London will be reimbursed. Send your entry to team@comedyawards.co.uk
Terms and Conditions
1. Entrants must be 18 or over and resident in the UK.
2. Entrants must be available full time and able to reside in Edinburgh from 08 - 23 August. (We may be able to provide accommodation for you from 01 August if you would like to come earlier).
3. The competition is not open to employees of the Festival Fringe Society or anyone connected professionally with the comedy business.
4. The prize is a position on the Edinburgh Comedy Awards judging panel for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2025. The winner must attend approximately six shows a day, possibly more, and provide short reviews for all shows attended.
5. Only one entry per person.
6. The winners will be chosen by the award director Nica Burns and producer Emma Brunjes and the decision is final.
7. The prize is non-transferable. There will be no cash prize.
8. No responsibility will be taken for entries lost, delayed or incomplete.
9. All costs incurred by the winners other than travel and accommodation are at the winner's expense.