A common question I get is how do I submit for a comedy festival? Or I keep submitting to festivals and I never hear back.

A lot of times the problem is the tape. You should really look at the guidelines before submitting. Festival producers typically don’t care about “best of” reels or a tape that in your eyes is really good but runs 2 minutes over the time limit.

Tapes are typically 5 minutes for submissions and most of the time aren’t watched all the way through. Especially if:

  • The sound quality is bad
  • The video quality is bad
  • The jokes aren’t landing
  • No one is laughing
  • The intro is too long

The best way to submit is to cut the video to where your comedy set starts. Also, find a video where you get a laugh in the first 30 seconds. If you don’t have a good tape yet, record yourself at every show and mic you do. Watch it back until you have a tight 5 you think is good enough to share with the world.

Where to Find Comedy Festivals

How do you find these comedy festivals? Some great resources are the comedy festival submissions page on Facebook. There are also regional Facebook pages for most comedy scenes in the U.S. People in the Midwest seem to still use Facebook heavily, so places like Ohio, PA, and Indiana post a lot about festivals there.

Another great resource is There It Is Pod – they post monthly the upcoming festivals and due dates opening that month. You can also go back to old months and see what other comedy festivals are out there.

Tips for a Stronger Submission

  • Read the guidelines carefully. Every festival has different requirements. Some want 5 minutes, some want 3. Some want a specific format. Follow the rules exactly.
  • Lead with your best material. Producers often decide within 30-60 seconds. Put your strongest joke first.
  • Good audio matters more than video quality. A well-lit phone recording with clear audio beats a professional video where you can’t hear the punchlines.
  • Submit early. Many festivals review on a rolling basis. Earlier submissions often get more attention.
  • Don’t take rejection personally. Festival lineups are built around variety, theme, and scheduling. A “no” usually isn’t about your talent – it’s about fit.

FAQ

Q: How long should my submission tape be?
Usually 5 minutes unless the festival specifies otherwise. Never go over the time limit. If anything, come in slightly under.

Q: Can I submit to multiple festivals at once?
Yes. You should. Cast a wide net and track your submissions so you know who you’ve contacted and when.

Q: What if I don’t have a good tape yet?
Record every set you do. Watch them back. Most comedians need 20-30 recorded sets before they get one they’re happy with. It’s a numbers game.

Q: Do I need an agent to get into comedy festivals?
No. Most festivals accept direct submissions. An agent can help with bigger festivals, but for most regional festivals you can apply yourself.

Q: When should I start submitting to festivals?
Once you have a solid 5-minute set that consistently gets laughs and you have it on video. For most comedians, that’s 6-12 months into doing open mics regularly.