The ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards at the Edinburgh Fringe 2025 have announced additional sponsors for all 5 Awards this year.
The ISH Awards involves a voluntary panel of judges seeing every eligible comedy show at the Fringe, where 100% of any sponsorship goes to the artists.
The 5 Awards all now have additional sponsorship of £500 and will be named this year after their sponsors. The 5 Awards and their sponsors are:
The Rhod Gilbert ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award Panel Prize
The incredible Rhod Gilbert has donated £500 for the Panel Prize this year which rewards anything else apart from the shows themselves from all the amazing things that happen at the Fringe. This could be anything, but we do have a focus on artists supporting artists. Previous winners include A Show For Gareth, a compilation show set up by Mark Simmons and Danny Ward to support Gareth Richards' family, Best in Class, Funny Women Glitter Project, Dion Owen's Bike Project, Elaine Robertson after spending the month living in a tent and Alex Petty's work with the Free Festival. Rhod Gilbert says, ‘Over the last 20 odd years I've spent many fun, exciting but mainly gruelling months of my life performing at the Fringe. So many people come together to make this wondrous slog happen. The ISH Panel Prize aims to reward the unsung heroes of the Fringe, those beavering away out of the spotlight, making life for performers that little bit easier, cheaper, more fun or even just making it possible; here’s to them.'
The Patrick Monahan ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Newcomer
Legendary Fringe comedian and multi award winning Patrick Monahan, host of the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards ceremonies 2023/2024 has also generously donated £500 for the Award for Best Newcomer, won last year by Abby Wambaugh - but there's a catch, hopefully a good one! The winner will get £250 from Patrick straight away and the other £250 will be made up of 2 support slots for his tour shows, £125 each, on dates to be agreed. So some cash and exposure, what's not to love! And of course, as we all know, it's best for many reasons to go on before Patrick, if nothing else to catch your last train home! Patrick Monahan says, ‘in my life as a touring standup comedian, the most important thing about standup is performing live, about giving the best performance you can each and every night, and always take the cash over any award. If you don’t win this one, don’t worry, go and buy a scratchcard afterwards, you can still win! Best of luck. Big hugs, px”
The Lyons ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Tech
Previously announced, 2024 Best Show Winner Elf Lyons has donated £500 for the prize for this Award, for "an innovative technician and operator who creates for and aids the vision of performers through dynamic lighting and sound".
Elf Lyons says, ‘There are so many technicians who without them, the vision of performers wouldn't be possible. These creatives work so hard and often run from one show to another like mad things trying to aid the visions of everyone. I am thrilled that through the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards we can honour these brilliant people."
The Takeover Radio 106.9FM ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for 'Joke Of The Fringe'
The Cassidy Bowles ISH Edinburgh Comedy Award for Best Show
Awards founder Nathan Cassidy says, 'We couldn't really ask others to give additional monetary support for the Awards if we weren't prepared to do that ourselves. We are an artistic community, and the only way to face the challenges we face as a community is to support each other in new ways. Whilst some seek division, we always have the opportunity to show strength in togetherness, support and giving back. Phoebe Waller-Bridge showed the way with the edfringe grants, there are so many people in a position to give back, and I am so immensely proud that we have all these people and organisations stepping up to support other artists. This is the ethos of the ISH Awards, artists supporting artists, and if you're an artist in a position to help us, please get in touch.'
Awards Producer Sarah Bowles says 'We are of course thrilled that we have 5 additional backers for our 5 Awards this year, and to add my name to the Best Show Award. We are proud of all the awards, and very proud that our Best Show Winners from the last two years have gone on to huge international success with their shows - Paul Foot, Julia Masli and Elf Lyons. We have quite a track record with our winners that I'm sure we will keep up this year. We'll be using some of the proceeds from our two showcase shows this year at the Counting House Ballroom on the 16th and 20th August for the prize, so if you are an artist with a little money to spare to watch the showcase and donate at the end, this is a very easy way of showing your support this year. Thank you!'
Visit the website www.edinburghcomedyawards.com for more information on the awards, clips, and eligibility.
*All eligible shows for the ISH Edinburgh Comedy Awards must be under the primary category of Comedy, be 45 mins or more and not be compilation shows, and certain short-runs aren't eligible as judges long-list shows on the 15th August and then produce a short-list and winner in the final week.
