DEADLY FUNNY
CHEEKY, LOUD, BLACK & PROUD!
Calling all First Nations comedians and storytellers...
More locations will be announced soon. Make sure you follow Deadly Funny on Facebook and Instagram, and sign up to the Deadly Funny e-news for all news and announcements!
Cheeky and loud, black and proud, Deadly Funny is Melbourne International Comedy Festival’s national comedy competition unearthing the freshest and funniest First Nations talent from across the country.
Registrations for Deadly Funny 2024/25 are open! Click here to sign up.
Get behind the mic and bring your very own Deadly Funny to the stage!
Deadly Funny is bigger, brighter and deadlier, with workshops and showcase performances in 20+ communities around Australia. This is your chance to captivate audiences with your unique perspective and deadly humour. Embrace the spotlight, share your stories and make the mob laugh across the nation.
All you need is three to five minutes of hilarious material. Whether it's stand-up, musical, sketch, physical/dance, character-based, or simply sharing a funny yarn, the stage is yours. You can take part as an individual, duo, or even a trio and will be given an opportunity to sit with a seasoned professional comedian in a two-hour workshop to help refine your ideas and then unleash your talent in onstage. Check out the Workshop Outline here!
Now in its 19th year, Deadly Funny has propelled stars like Steph Tisdell, Kevin Kropinyeri, Andy Saunders, Janty Blair, Shiralee Hood, Dane Simpson, Elaine Crombie, Jay Wymarra, Leon Filewood, and Sean Choolburra to great heights, both as participants and mentors. You could be the next comedy sensation!
Need more motivation? All state and territory winners will be flown to the Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2025 for the Deadly Funny National Grand Final where you will compete for the Deadly Funny crown and a $3,000 cash prize!
Head over to our YouTube channel to watch performances from past Deadly Funny national finalists.
The Rules
- Open to Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islanders aged 18 and over (if you are under 18, check our the Class Clowns program here)
- 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
For info on what the judges are looking for read the Deadly Funny judging policy here.
