how it works
1. create a free comic portal account
The Comic Portal on Comedy Finder is 100% free to join and is a place for comedians to keep Laugh After Dark up to date with their comedy careers! Complete your free comedian profile in the portal and update it anytime with clips, bio, and more!
2. pay submission fee in the portal
Log in to your account and pay the 2025 ComedyFest submission fee. Once your transaction is complete, your profile will be automatically queued for review once submission close and we begin the nomination process in July.
3. complete your portal profile
Make sure your profile is complete and up to date with your latest/best standup clips by the time submissions close on June 30, 2025. (**Remember that the Comic Portal is for more than just ComedyFest! We book and cast for projects across the country and throughout the year and Portal Members are always automatically considered**).
** Pro Tip: If you previouosly had an LAD Comic Portal account, you can use your same info to login and submit on Comedy Finder! **
2025
submissions timeline
early bird
Nov 1 -Dec 31, 2024
standard
January 1-April 30, 2025
extended
May 1-June 10, 2025
last chance
June 11-30, 2025
notifications
August 1, 2025
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 note that you will submit your materials and pay fees separately.
STANDUP :
If you plan to submit for standup, you will submit a 5-10 min standup set via the LAD Comic Portal on laughafterdark.com by purchasing the submission inside the portal. Please remember to check your links when submitting. Submissions with broken, private or otherwise not viewable links will be automatically disqualified. YouTube and Vimeo links recommended.
Yes! We welcome multi-talented comedians and encourage you to submit for as many categories as you would like.
*Please note that when submissions go live, film and standup submissions will be accepted separately. Film submissions and fees can be paid on Film Freeway. Standup submissions and fees can be paid here on our website.
**Please note that Early Bird submissions lock in the lowest rate and will be able to submit to either side of the festival all the way until the final deadline.
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 August 1, 2023 with additional information and instructions.
Yes. Anyone wishing to be considered to participate in the festival must submit and pay the required fees.
*Subject to change
STANDUP CATEGORIES
- Club
- Alt
- Clean
- Musical
- Dark
COMEDY FILM CATEGORIES
- Sketchs
- Micro Shorts
- Shorts
- Standup Specials
- Music Videos
- Comedy Podcasts
- Animations
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.
Nope! After all, this is Laugh AFTER Dark! We have several genera categories and our team will place you.
Our festival judges, panel speakers, and visiting industry have collectively worked on projects with Amazon, Netflix, Hulu, Comedy Central, HBO, Showtime, Fuze, Lionsgate, and much more!
Yes! There will be opportunities for networking and education throughout the festival for anyone who attends.
Please review ComedyFest Terms & Conditions
