Amused Moose Comedy Award 2019 open for entries

The Amused Moose Comedy Award 2019 - which focuses on breakthrough talent performing at the Edinburgh Festival - is open for entries.

The competition, now in its ninth year, is specifically looking for "the most entertaining breakthrough comedy talent who are yet to become well known and are therefore 'television ready'."

Previous winners of the competition include Tony Law, Marcel Lucont, Celia Pacquola, Jess Robinson, The Kagools, Richard Gadd and - last year - Tania Edwards (pictured above).

To qualify to enter, shows must be listed in the comedy section of the 2019 Edinburgh Fringe website for at least 18 dates, and must not have won or been nominated for any other major comedy award, in the UK or internationally. Entries from shows featuring more than one performer are welcome provided the cast does not change.

To enter, performers should fill in the form on amusedmoose.com/awards, including a link to a video preview of the show. The deadline to enter is 28th July.

A panel of judges - which includes agents, producers and journalists - will then view the online entries to select "a large number of Fringe shows to be seen live by another industry panel", who then nominate the most exceptional shows and performances as the finalists.

At the Amused Moose Comedy Award Grand Final - which is due to take place at the Grassmarket Centre on Wednesday 21st August - the finalists perform short excerpts from their shows. Votes at the Final are cast by the audience and judging panel of comedy professionals who having seen all the finalists shows live.

The winners will receive a shiny Moose trophy, "lots of exposure and glory", and traditionally the performer's box office split from their London showcase.