Funny Women Awards Writing and Video shortlists 2020

The Funny Women Awards have announced the shortlists for their Writing and Comedy Shorts (video) awards for 2020.

Becky Singh, the Funny Women Awards director, says: "Thank you to all who entered and our amazing readers and judges - it's been particularly heartening to all of us in the team this year to see comedy talent shining brightly through the current darkness. Congratulations to our Comedy Shorts and Comedy Writing finalists - thanks for the much needed laughs, funny women!"

Comedy Writing Award 2020 Shortlist

The awards say: "This year saw the greatest number of entries ever received to the Comedy Writing Award with over 200 scripts! It hasn't been easy but after much discussion and heated debate we have managed to get our longlist down to this shortlist with an incredible range of styles, subjects and scenarios that we're excited to present to our final judging panel."

The finalists are...

Holly Dempster: The Happiest Place on Earth

Joanna Carolan: The Other Mother

Zara Janjua: Scottistani

Tess Carruthers: The Apothecary

Sara Butler: 0800 Babe

Katharine Armitage: Strapped

Stacey Evans: Big Time

Olivia Phipps: The Evening Session

Francesca Sewell: Stick it to Me

Kate Elmer: Mulch

The awards add: "These scripts will go on to our next stage where we will pick a top three and the winner will be decided by our head judge comedy writer and actor Vicki Pepperdine!"

Vicki Pepperdine says: "I feel greatly honoured to be asked to be head judge for the Funny Women comedy writing award this year. I'm so aware of how hard it is for anybody to get a show made at the best of times and I hope this competition might help set a few more brilliant writers haring down the tracks at what is for so many, the worst of times. I can't wait to read what all you amazing, talented, hardworking and resilient women have created with your deeds AND your words!"

Shorts Award 2020 Shortlist

The awards say: "We're absolutely delighted that each of the videos on the shortlist represent a variety of genres, styles and topics, and some feature material inspired by this year's coronavirus lockdown too."

Millicent Binks: Ladies, Have We Progressed? 1920's-2020's

Isabelle Farah and Jenny Rush: Breakfast

Rhiannon Hopkins: Naked Pictures

Marla Jane Lynch: How Many Twitter Followers Do You Have?

Eryn Tett: The Foxes F*ck on Wednesdays

Briony Puddepha: How to Ensure Personal Growth During Lockdown

Nikola McMurtrie: Karaoke: Behind the Lyrics

Sascha Lowdermilk: How Does the Coronavirus Affect Gap Year Students?

Lizzy Mansfield: An Inorganic Love Story

Megan Smith and Lily Howkins: Best Friends

Steph Leigh and Mo Bayliss: Pancake Jam

Kitty Paterson: Stranger Hings

Andi Osho, who is acting as head judge, comments: "Whether you're mid-career or just starting out, this competition is a great way to flex your comedy muscles and get your work seen by industry decision makers. I'm particularly passionate about film and storytelling so can't wait to see what all these fabulous, funny film makers come up with."