24 Sep 2025
Fest 101: Your Guide to Getting Into NZICF
We had our Festival 101 and 201 sessions earlier this week and have compiled some handy notes on how to put your best foot forward. With an average of 200+ applicants, making sure your application stands out is super important!
Check out our Fest 201 notes here.
Festival 101
Every year, the New Zealand International Comedy Festival (NZICF) brings hundreds of comedians together in Auckland and Wellington for three jam-packed weeks of laughter. But how do you actually get programmed? That’s where Festival 101 comes in. Think of it as your backstage pass to understanding how the Festival works and how to put your best foot forward.
What is NZICF?
The NZ International Comedy Festival is a curated, boutique festival produced by the New Zealand Comedy Trust, a not-for-profit whose mission is simple: champion the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh. The 2026 Festival runs from 1-24 May.
Who’s Who?
Our core team is small but mighty:
- Lauren Whitney - Chief Executive
- Jay Law - Festival Producer
- Joel Wood - Production and Programming Manager
- Tash Hoyland - Production & Programming Coordinator
- Jacqui Davis - Marketing & Partnerships Lead
- Andy Hoskins - Marketing & Digital Coordinator
In the lead-up to the Festival, we also bring in extra hands (ticketing, marketing, interns) to keep the machine running.
Applying to Perform
Anyone can apply for the Festival via our Performers Hub. We look at your experience, your show pitch and concept, and your presence in the comedy scene. Your application should clearly show:
- What your show is (title, concept, synopsis, themes)
- Who’s behind it (yourself + potential collaborators)
- Why you’re doing it (your goals and expectations)
- How you’ll market it (point of difference, target audience, strategy)
Festival Realities
- Venue hire costs are part of the deal and should be your main consideration when planning your budget. It’s super important to think about any other costs you may have (marketing, extra tech, hiring a director) and take these into account when budgeting.
- A healthy break-even point is around 35% of ticket sales, so it’s good to plan your budget around this benchmark.
- Options like split bills and split seasons can help reduce risk. Think of who you may want to team up with, or just let us know in your application if you are interested in a split season.
Split bill: when 2-3 comedians do 20-30 mins each within an hour show.
Split season: when a traditional season (5 nights) is shared between two comedians i.e: one comedian doing 2 nights (Thu and Fri) and one comedian doing 3 nights (Tue, Wed, Sat).
If your show isn’t programmed, don’t panic. We encourage you to approach this with an open mind - competition is stiff, and sometimes it just comes down to timing, balance, or fit. You’ll always get a clear “yes” or “not this year” from us, and you can ask for feedback.
Top Tips for a Strong Application
- Be clear and specific: sell us on the concept, not just the vibe, and how you plan to execute it.
- Show growth: highlight your key achievements, let us know what you’ve been up to, and what’s new or different about your idea.
- Know your audience: think about your niche and target demographics, who’s likely to buy tickets, and how will you reach them?
- Think beyond the stage: marketing, partnerships, and PR matter as much as the jokes.
Applications for NZICF 2026 close on 1 October.
Learn more and apply through the Performers Hub.
Got questions? Flick us an email at info@comedyfestival.co.nz — we’re here to help.
