The best of this year's MICF season.
Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2019 wrapped up over the weekend and to cap off another stellar year, MICF rewarded the brains behind this year’s best shows and biggest laughs with a handful of awards.
Beloved comic James Acaster took out the title for Most Outstanding Show with Cold Lasagne Hate Myself 1999 against strong competition and fellow nominees Anne Edmonds, Cassie Worman, Geraldine Hickey, Nath Valvo and Tom Allen.
The Best Newcomer Award went to Blake Freeman with his debut Festival show There’s Something There while Urzila Carlson took out People’s Choice Award for Loser, which was determined the most popular show of the festival according to ticket sales. The Director’s Choice Award went to Aaron Chen for Piss Off (Just Kidding), as decided by the MICF Director in consultation with visiting festival program directors.
The Pinder Prize, honouring Festival co-founder John Pinder, saw a double win with Sam Taunton and Steph Tisdell each receiving the prize in support of their upcoming Edinburgh Fringe debuts in August.
The Golden Gibbo, honouring the memory of the late Lynda Gibson, was awarded to Neal Portenza & Joshua Ladgrove whose independent show pursued artistic vision above commercial gain while peer award The Piece of Wood went to Geraldine Hickey for Things Are Going Well.
Along with those congratulated for their efforts onstage, this year’s most enthusiastic MICF attendee John Souness received The Funny Tonne for seeing and reviewing the most shows at this year’s Festival.
The countdown for next year’s MICF season begins.
