Submissions are now open for the 2016 LOCO London Comedy Film Festival. The festival will be returning for its fifth year at BFI Southbank and selected cinemas next April. 

New British shorts and feature films that have not had theatrical distribution, and new international comedy feature films that have never been screened in the UK are all eligible for inclusion.

Following the huge success of last year's festival, which awarded LOCO’s prestigious Discovery Award for best new feature film to Brett Goldstein and Jon Drever's SuperBob (pictured) - the film has since secured an international theatrical and on-demand release - all eyes are on the 2016 LOCO London Comedy Film Festival to discover the best emerging British comedy film-making talent.

Denise Hicks, Co-founder and Director of LOCO said: "LOCO has always believed that comedy can do more than make you laugh: at its best it’s a way for film-makers to look at social issues, ethical dilemmas and universal human experiences in an entertaining way. Now in it's fifth year, I can't wait to hear from comedy film-makers with something to say". 

Jonathan Wakeham, Co-founder and Programmer of LOCO said: "Comedy can be a safe space for dangerous ideas. And this can be just as true of a Hollywood blockbuster as it is of a low budget independent film. So, inspired by The Wizard of Oz, we’re looking for comedy films with brains, heart and courage".

Submissions are open until 30th November 2015 and the LOCO London Comedy Film Festival will run 14th - 24th April 2016, so LOCO can host the UK premieres of new films from Sundance, Berlin and SXSW for the first time. The full programme of screenings, live events and training will be announced on 1st February 2016.

For more information click here.