ComediHa!, the new proud owners of the iconic international comedy brand Just For Laughs/Juste pour rire have announced several upcoming festival dates as the organization moves forward under new leadership. ComediHa! officially acquired Just For Laughs this past June, marking the beginning of a new era for the comedy brand.
JUST FOR LAUGHS SYDNEY
Looking ahead, ComediHa! is pleased to announce the highly anticipated return of the 12th edition of the Just For Laughs SYDNEY festival taking place November 18 - 23, 2024. The festival, which has been a staple in the global comedy calendar, promises to deliver a stellar lineup of talent. This year’s lineup, announced this past Monday, features world-renowned comedians including Trevor Noah, Eric Idle, Brad Williams and the All-Star Gala hosted by Melanie Bracewell, and many more, ensuring an unforgettable experience for comedy fans.
JUST FOR LAUGHS BERMUDA
In addition to the return of the Sydney festival, ComediHa! is excited to confirm that Just For Laughs BERMUDA will be returning for its 17th edition from January 22 - 24, 2025, bringing world-class comedy to the beautiful island.
JUST FOR LAUGHS VANCOUVER
Following closely on its heels, the 9th edition of JFL VANCOUVER will make its much-awaited comeback February 13 - 22, 2025. These festivals will once again bring the best in comedy further solidifying Just For Laughs' presence on the global stage.
JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL
As the team gears up for these international festivals, one of ComediHa!'s top priorities remains making the next summer’s JFL MONTREAL festival, running July 16 – 27, 2025, one of the most memorable in the brand’s storied history. Returning to the city where this international brand was born, ComediHa! is committed to honouring the legacy of the festival and its profound impact on the world of comedy. With an eye towards the future, the new leadership promises to blend the festival’s rich traditions with the evolving landscape of comedy, ensuring a prosperous and exciting future for Just For Laughs.
Sylvain Parent-Bédard, president of ComediHa!, Just For Laughs’ new owner, expressed his enthusiasm for the upcoming festivals: “We couldn’t be more excited to present these incredible festivals under the new leadership of ComediHa!. Each of these festivals holds a long and significant history that we deeply respect and cherish. Working with our festival partners, we are bringing a new breath and vision into these events, which we believe will resonate with both long-time fans and new audiences alike. I’d also like to acknowledge our exceptional programming team, some returning and some new programmers, who are working swiftly and diligently to put together some truly remarkable lineups. Their dedication and creativity are at the heart of what will make these festivals a resounding success.”
Nick Brazao, Head of Programming at Just For Laughs, added, “Programming these festivals is an exciting opportunity to innovate while staying true to the core of what has made Just For Laughs so special for over four decades. We’re focused on curating a diverse mix of established names and emerging talent to platform and celebrate comedy's best. We’re embracing the industry’s dynamic future, and we can’t wait for audiences around the world to experience what we’re putting together.”
Stay tuned for more festival news in the coming months as Just For Laughs will also unveil plans for live tours along with some exciting TV projects in the works.
ABOUT COMEDIHA! AND JUST FOR LAUGHS
Since its dynamic inception in 1997, ComediHa! has emerged as a dynamic force in the live performance, festival, film, television, and distribution landscapes. With a dedicated team of over 100 permanent employees and nearly 6,000 temporary staff across key hubs in Quebec City, Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Sidney, Hollywood, and Paris, ComediHa! is dedicated to “Spreading laughter across the Globe”.
In a transformative move in 2024, ComediHa! acquired the renowned Just For Laughs, solidifying its status as the global leader in comedy. Established in 1983, Just For Laughs is a beloved brand famed for hosting the world’s largest comedy festival in Montreal. Together, ComediHa! and Just For Laughs have fostered the careers of countless top comedians and entertained audiences worldwide through festivals and content broadcast in over 150 countries. Each year, ComediHa! Fest-Québec and the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival attract millions of attendees, cementing these events as essential gatherings for industry insiders and comedy aficionados alike.
Picture from JFL 2023 by MyriamF renette courtesy if Just for Laughs.
