ABOUT
COMEDY FEST
The Laugh After Dark ComedyFest is a brand new 3-day festival that is equal parts comedy film festival and standup festival. Every day will feature screenings, standup showcases, industry panels, networking opportunities, and a variety of world-class live entertainment all in fabulous Las Vegas, NV!
SHOWCASES
networking
SCREENINGS
industry
live tapings
entertainment
SHOWCASES
networking
live tapings
SCREENINGS
industry
entertainment

submissions
Film + standup submissions are now open!
early bird deadline
$37 | December 31, 2021
regular deadline
$47 | April 30, 2022
extended deadline
$57 | June 10, 2022
last chance deadline
$67 | June 30, 2022
NOTIFICATION DATE
August 1, 2022
FAQ
{ SUBMISSIONS }
Anyone wishing to be considered to perform at Laugh After Dark ComedyFest must submit as follows:
FILMS:
Films must be submitted via Film Freeway. If you are planning to submit for both standup and film, please submit your materials and pay fees separately.
STANDUP
If you are submitting for standup, you may submit directly on our website by filling out the submission form and paying the submission fee.
Yes! We welcome multi-talented comedians and encourage you to submit for as many categories as you would like.
Please note that film and standup submissions are taken separately. Film submissions and fees can be paid on Film Freeway. Standup submissions and fees can be paid here on our website by clicking to submit.
STANDUP
- 5-7 min video
- Audible sound
- Filmed within the last 18 months
- Funny.
FILM
Please see requirements on Film Freeway.
If you are selected to participate in the festival, you will be contacted by a member of our team by August 1, 2022 with additional information and instructions.
Yes. Anyone wishing to be considered to participate in the festival must submit and pay the required fees.
STANDUP CATEGORIES
- Club
- Alt
- Clean
- Musical
COMEDY FILM CATEGORIES
- Sketchs
- Micro Shorts
- Shorts
- Features
- Standup Specials
- Music Videos
5- 7 minutes only please
Please make sure your set meets the following requirements:
- 5-7 min video
- Audible sound
- Filmed within the last 18 months
- Funny.
Early Bird: $37
Dec 2021-Jan 2022
Standard: $47
February-April 2022
Extended: $57
May 1-June 10 2022
Last Chance $67
June 11-30 2022
Nope! After all, this is Laugh AFTER Dark
Our festival judges, panel speakers, and visiting industry have collectively worked on projects with Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Fuse, Lionsgate, and much more!
Yes! We will be hosting additional (non-judged) comedy shows throughout the festival for comedians who submitted but were not selected as official festival participants.
OUR PARTNERS + SPONSORS
We are looking for people who are passionate about comedy, Las Vegas, and the arts to partner with ComedyFest. Together we can generate more brand exposure with bigger comedians, bigger audiences, and provide bigger + better educational opportunities for our entertainers.
If you are interested in aligning your brand with some of the biggest names in comedy, please reach out! We have several sponsorship packages available.
Festival Events
STAY TUNED AS WE WILL BE ADDING + UPDATING EVENTS REGULARLY
Whether you’re in the mood for popcorn and binge-watching comedy at the film screenings, or you’re ready to be part of a live studio audience at a Laugh After Dark live taping, each day will feature an array of comedy education, entertainment, and networking opportunities for festival participants, industry, media, and attendees!

- monday
- tuesday
- wednesday
- robin leach showroom
- renkus heinz theater
- chandelier lounge
WELCOME + WHISKY SHOWCASE
Hosted by Charlie Wilson & The Fremont Funk
Festival week officially kicks off with music, laughter, and whisky as Charlie and the band welcome our first lineup of comedians to perform. Its the perfect way to celebrate the opening of ComedyFest!
STANDUP SHOWCASES
Grab your friends and laugh along at one of our standup comedy showcase events happening throughout the afternoon and evening Monday. Each showcase will feature an incredible lineup of some of the funniest rising stars in standup comedy.
- Showcases will be headlined by a celebrity guest comedian.
- All showcases will be filmed/streamed.
SCREENING
Comedy Music Video
Join us in the Renkus Heinz Theater to watch our judges picks for the best Comedy Music Videos.
SCREENING
Animation
Join us in the Renkus Heinz Theater to watch our judges picks for the best Animated Shorts.
SCREENING
Sketch Comedy
Join us in the Renkus Heinz Theater to watch our judges picks for the best Sketch Comedy.
Afternoon
FESTIVAL CHECKIN:
Meet us in the Chandelier Lounge to get checked into ComedyFest and receive your festival credentials and official swag bag!
Evening
ENTERTAINMENT:
It's Happy Hour all night Monday in The Chandelier Lounge! Mix and mingle with festival guests and artists while catching one of our comedy open mic shows happening throughout the night.
- robin leachshowroom
- renkus heinztheater
- chandelierlounge
FEST EVENT:
Coffee + Cronuts
Industry Speed Networking for Comedians
Mornings are better with coffee and the opportunity to connect with our top industry contacts. Festival participants can sign up for these exclusive morning networking sessions with our lineup of bookers, buyers, distributors, writers, producers, and more!
PANEL:
Newsworthy
PR, promotion, and marketing your comedy brand
Listen in as PR experts from comedy, film, and beyond discuss strategies for positioning your brand and how to pitch yourself to get featured in major industry publications.
STANDUP SHOWCASES
Grab your friends and laugh along at one of our standup comedy showcase events happening throughout the afternoon and evening Monday. Each showcase will feature an incredible lineup of some of the funniest rising stars in standup comedy.
- Showcases will be headlined by a celebrity guest comedian.
- All showcases will be filmed/streamed.
FEST EVENT:
Coffee + Cronuts
Industry Speed Networking for Film Makers
Mornings are better with coffee and the opportunity to connect with our top industry contacts. Film participants can sign up for these exclusive morning networking sessions with our lineup of directors, distributors, writers, producers, and more!
SCREENING
Webseries/TV Episodic
Join us in the Renkus Heinz Theater to watch our judges picks for the best Webseries/TV Episodic.
SCREENING
Short Films
Join us in the Renkus Heinz Theater to watch our judges picks for the best Short Films.
LIVE TAPING
30 Minute Standup Specials
Get the full Laugh After Dark experience as a member of the live studio audience! Cheer and laugh while you watch some of the hottest up and coming comics film their 30 minute special LIVE at ComedyFest!
LATE CHECKIN:
Meet us in the Chandelier Lounge to get checked into ComedyFest and receive your festival credentials and official swag bag!
PANEL:
Will I Still Be Funny?
A candid conversation about mental health in the entertainment industry. Listen in as the members of the industry have a heart to heart conversation about mental health, addiction and what it looks like to support the comedy community.
ENTERTAINMENT:
The entertainment and drinks will be flowing in The Chandelier Lounge all night long! Grab a bite to eat, take a seat, and enjoy a diverse lineup of comedy and musical performances.
- robin leachshowroom
- renkus heinztheater
- chandelierlounge
PANEL:
That’s My Joke!
The worst has happened: another comic used your joke! Or did they? Listen in as we have a conversation about creativity, copyright, communication, and community in standup.
STANDUP SHOWCASES
Grab your friends and laugh along at one of our standup comedy showcase events happening throughout the afternoon and evening Monday. Each showcase will feature an incredible lineup of some of the funniest rising stars in standup comedy.
- Showcases will be headlined by a celebrity guest comedian.
- All showcases will be filmed/streamed.
PANEL:
Comedy Writing
The art of making them laugh.
Get tips, tricks, inspiration, and strategies from several of the industry's top comedy writers in tv, film, and beyond. This is the perfect event for comedians looking to crossover into writing their first projects, and for seasoned professionals to sharpen their skills and keep tabs on an ultra competitive industry.
PANEL
So You Have A Story
How to position, pitch + sell your ideas.
It may be a miracle for anything to actually get made in Hollywood, but the right approach can make things a lot easier. Learn from our top industry contacts as they discuss real-world strategies for packaging, pitching, selling, and distributing your million-dollar ideas.
FEST EVENT:
CCCC Networking
Coffee, comedy, cinema, and conversation for ComedyFest participants
A rising tide raises all ships. We believe in collaboration and community over competition in entertainment. This is why we dedicated an entire event to bringing our official festival participants together to network and connect with each other.
FEST EVENT
Awards Ceremony + Headliner
Let's celebrate an incredible week of comedy at the official festival awards ceremony! Awards will be given in every category including several surprise Best of Fest awards given by our visiting industry and presenting sponsors.
There will be a major celebrity headliner performance as the grand finale to the ceremony.