It returns for its 27th year from Wednesday March 26 to Sunday April 20, presenting over 450 events at 130 locations in a variety of CBD and suburban venues. Last year it drew a record 638,000 people. An additional 3.5 million viewers on the ABC and Network Ten, which broadcast specials of the event.
Minister for Tourism Louise Asher said of the grant, “This will help strengthen and reinforce Melbourne’s reputation as the cultural and arts capital of Australia and enhance Victoria’s diverse annual events calendar.
“The comedy festival is a signature Melbourne event which attracts thousands of local, interstate and international performers and visitors. It also exposes the great talents and qualities that Victoria has to offer to a broad global audience.
“The festival presents a combination of stand up, theatre, cabaret, music, film and visual arts. It showcases the best of Australia’s comic artists, nurtures and develops new work and presents international comic talent. In this way the festival appeals to a broad spectrum of people and provides a great opportunity to promote other attractions and events to interstate and international visitors.”
Tourism, Asher added, is worth $19.1 billion a year or 5.8 per cent of the total Victorian economy. The tourism industry provides jobs for over 200,000 Victorians and contributes seven per cent of employment in tourism and other industries.
Member for Prahran, Clem Newton-Brown, welcomed the funding support. “Some of the festival events are held in my electorate which will provide significant flow-on business for the local hospitality, accommodation and retail sectors.
