Submissions are now open for 2026.

The deadline for submission is Tuesday, July 7, 2026

How to Compete in Comedy Prize

  • Complete initial Comedian registration form
  • Record a 5-7 minute video of your Comedy Set with a live audience (or clip a segment from an existing recording).
  • Upload your set video no later than Tuesday, July 7, 2026 at 11:59p.m. CT.
  • The Finalist Comedians will be selected and announced in August 2026.
  • Finalists are invited to meet up and perform at Prize Fest in Shreveport, Louisiana on October 15, 2026.
  • All comedians get a hotel room from October 14-16 and $500 to perform.
  • The winner, as selected by the Comedy Prize judges, is awarded $2,500 cash.
Register as a Comedian
How Comedy Prize Works
Competition Rules
Comedian Portal Login

Comedy Prize is more than good looks and humor.

Making people laugh is hard, making comedy a career is harder. What makes the Comedy Prize competition worth your time?

1) We pay every Comedian Finalist to perform, give you Prize Fest VIP Lounge passes with free food and drink for the weekend, plus a hotel room for two nights. At Prize Fest, you are star talent and we treat you as such.

2) We bring in real, working comedy professionals who are looking for talent and we put you in the same room with them to connect and network — they don’t just see you from the stage.

COMEDY PRIZE IS PROUDLY SPONSORED BY

How to Compete in Comedy Prize

Participating in Comedy Prize is easier than you think. And we’re here to help along the way!

If you have any questions about the process, you can connect with Comedian Liaison Chris Lyon at chris@prize.foundation.

Step 1: Record a 5-7 Minute Set of Original Comedy Material

To compete in Comedy Prize, every entrant must submit a 5-7 minute video of their set performed in front of a live audience. It does not have to be highly produced, it can be cell phone video (you should have good sound though). You can record new material to submit or clip a 5-7 minute part of an existing set as your submission.

Step 2: Upload Your Video and Fill Out the Comedian Portal

Once you’ve recorded or clipped your 5-7 minute video set, upload it using the Comedian Portal, an online profile page. This is also where you will submit the other required items: a headshot, bio, social handles, and other information that will be used for publicity if you are selected as a Finalist. Put your best foot forward and submit your best materials!

Step 3: Attend Comedy Prize at Prize Fest in October

The Finalist Comedians are invited to Shreveport, Louisiana October 15, 2026 to participate in Comedy Prize. Each Finalist is provided with a hotel room for two nights and VIP passes to festival events, plus $500 to perform live in front of the Comedy Prize audience on Thursday, October 15th.

Step 4: Elevate Your Craft by Networking with the Judges

Comedy Prize is more than just a competition with a big cash prize. On Wednesday and Thursday of the festival (October 14-15) you’ll get to meet and connect with the other comedians as well as the Comedy Prize judges who are working professionals on the lookout for talent and who have guidance that can shape the future of your comedy career.

Take advantage of the opportunity to share your story, your goals, and find out what next steps you should take to continue your journey to comedy stardom.

Step 5: Bring Your A-Game and Take Home $2,500 Cash.

At the end of it all is the Comedy Prize competition showcase where you perform an original set of 10-12 minutes and leave it all on the stage. The Comedy Prize Judges each will vote to determine who wins the title of Comedy Prize champion and the owner of a slick new giant check for $2,500 (and a real one to go with it).

Step 1: Record a 5-7 Minute Set of Original Comedy Material

To compete in Comedy Prize, every entrant must submit a 5-7 minute video of their set performed in front of a live audience. It does not have to be highly produced, it can be cell phone video (you should have good sound though). You can record new material to submit or clip a 5-7 minute part of an existing set as your submission.

Step 2: Upload Your Video and Fill Out the Comedian Portal

Once you’ve recorded or clipped your 5-7 minute video set, upload it using the Comedian Portal, an online profile page. This is also where you will submit the other required items: a headshot, bio, social handles, and other information that will be used for publicity if you are selected as a Finalist. Put your best foot forward and submit your best materials!

Step 3: Attend Comedy Prize at Prize Fest in October​

The Finalist Comedians are invited to Shreveport, Louisiana October 15, 2026 to participate in Comedy Prize. Each Finalist is provided with a hotel room for two nights and VIP passes to festival events, plus $500 to perform live in front of the Comedy Prize audience on Thursday, October 15th.

Step 4: Elevate Your Craft by Networking with the Judges

Comedy Prize is more than just a competition with a big cash prize. On Wednesday and Thursday of the festival (October 14-15) you’ll get to meet and connect with the other comedians as well as the Comedy Prize judges who are working professionals on the lookout for talent and who have guidance that can shape the future of your comedy career.

Take advantage of the opportunity to share your story, your goals, and find out what next steps you should take to continue your journey to comedy stardom.

Step 5: Bring Your A-Game and Take Home $2,500 Cash.

At the end of it all is the Comedy Prize competition showcase where you perform an original set of 10-12 minutes and leave it all on the stage. The Comedy Prize Judges each will vote to determine who wins the title of Comedy Prize champion and the owner of a slick new giant check for $2,500 (and a real one to go with it).

A Selection of Past Finalists and Winners

Below is a small selection of the over 200 finalists and winners over the past 11 years of Film Prize competition. Filmmakers hold the rights to their films and more recent finalists are still on the festival circuit, which is why there are no films from the 2021 and 2022 competitions.

odAOMO

Designer: Sophia Omoro

Grand Prize Winner, 2022

Mardi Gras Mojo

Designer: Jessica Hall

Grand Prize Winner, 2021

Hephzibah Thomas

Designer: Hephzibah Thomas

Grand Prize Winner, 2020

Register as a Comedian for Prize Fest 2026

Once you have completed initial registration, you must upload your clip AND fill out the remainder of your Comedian Portal profile.