Deadly Funny

Cheeky and loud, black and proud, Deadly Funny is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s national comedy competition unearthing the freshest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent from across the country.

INFORMATION   |   EVENT CALENDAR   |   REGISTER TO COMPETE   

2019 Deadly Funny National Final Front row: Kylan Ambrum, Cy Fahey, Fabian Woods, Tyler Saunders (guest artist), Luca Saunders (guest artist), Leon Filewood (guest artist), Kevin Kropinyeri (judge), Allara Briggs-Pattison (Dhungala Baarka, guest artist). Back row: Dave Human, Micah Kickett, Maryanne Johns, Trent Wilson, Steph Tisdell, Ian Bennell, Kasey Johnson, Yvette Holt, Sam Simmons (judge), Maggie Walsh, Celia Pacquola (judge), Jay Wymarra, Nancy Bates (Dhungala Baarka, guest artist), Caroline Martin (judge)

Expression of interest for Deadly Funny are closed for the 2019 program. Make sure you follow us on Facebook to stay up to date with news and announcements. Workshop / heat dates are yet to be announced, so please indicate which city is your preference and we will be in touch shortly to confirm date, time and venue.

Cheeky and loud, black and proud, Deadly Funny is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s national comedy competition unearthing the freshest and funniest Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander talent from across the country. Local heats have kicked off nationwide, and also feature a star-studded comedy line-up of Australia’s best Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander comedians.

Heading into its 14th year, Deadly Funny is a significant and vibrant part of the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. This one-of-a-kind comedy event is open to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people aged 18 and over.

To participate, all you have to do is have up to 5 minutes of funny material. It’s basically storytelling with a punchline! Entrants will take part in a private workshop with a professional comedian, followed by a public live performance. Special guest judges will decide who travels to Melbourne for the National Grand Final, where $2,000 is up for grabs!

Rules:

• Open to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders aged 18 and over (if you are under 18 go to classclowns.com.au)
• Acts should be 3-5 minutes max!
• Acts can be 1-3 people
• Routines must be original
• Acts can be stand up, musical, sketch, physical/dance or character based

DEADLY FUNNY COMPETITION CALENDAR - 2018/2019

Location

Date

Times

Venue

Tickets

Adelaide, SA	Saturday 17 November 2018	3-5pm Workshop 6pm show	Rhino Room 1/131 Pirie Street Adelaide	Past event.
Fremantle, WA	Wednesday 21 November 2018	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Fremantle Arts Centre 1 Finnerty Street Fremantle	Past event.
Taree, NSW	Thursday 29 November 2018	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Taree High School Hall 8-11 Albert St	Past event.
Darwin, NT	Wednesday 20 February 2019	4.30-6.30pm Workshop 7pm show	Happy Yess 12 Smith St, Darwin	Past event.
Katherine, NT	Friday 22 February 2019	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Godinymayin Yijard Rivers Arts & Culture Centre, LOT 3238 Stuart Hwy, Katherine East NT	Past event.
Port Augusta, SA	Friday 1 March 2019	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Institute Theatre, 52 Commercial Rd, Port Augusta SA	Past event.
Brisbane, QLD	Monday 4 March 2019	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Citipointe Church West, 26 Rosemary Street, Durack QLD	Past event.
Sydney, NSW	Wednesday 6 March 2019	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Redfern Community Centre (29-53 Hugo Street, Redfern)	Past event.
Canberra, ACT	Friday 22 March 20129	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Tuggeranong Arts Centre, 137 Reed Street, Greenway	Past event.
Melbourne, VIC	Saturday 23 March 2019	4-6pm Workshop 7pm show	Northcote Town Hall Main (189 High Street, Northcote)	Past event.

Congratulations to the 2019 Deadly Funny winner Fabian Woods from Western Australia! 

---

Watch the 2018 Deadly Funny National Final & Showcase on SBS On Demand. The 2019 Deadly Funny National Final & Showcase will be on NITV later in 2019.

Interested in our comedy workshop program for Indigenous young people aged 12 to 18? Click here for more info on Deadly Funny Kids.

 

Aboriginal Comedy Allstars are off to Edinburgh!

A huge shout out to Deadly Funny mentors Kevin Kropinyeri, Steph Tisdell and Andy Saunders who are heading to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe this year!  Congratulations!