Just for Laughs returns with a free online festival this October featuring Hannah Gadsby, Jo Koy, Howie Mandel, and more

Summer in Montreal wasn’t the same without the annual Just for Laughs comedy festival, but we’ll still be getting a taste of stand-up delivered right into our homes this October. Just for Laughs has announced the first-ever digital edition of the long-running festival, a free event set for October 9-10.

The initial lineup includes Hannah Gadsby, Jo Koy, Howie Mandel, Nicole Byer, Kenya Barris, Andy Kindler, Sarah Cooper, Amber Ruffin, Tituss Burgess, Trixie Mattel, Deanne Smith, Jenny Hagel, and events including Canada’s Drag Race, ‘Tooning Out the News, and the annual JFL standards, New Faces: Creators, and Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch.

Kevin Hart’s Laugh Out Loud (LOL) brand is an official programming partner, and will present LOL X, “a robust lineup for their very own comedy room within the festival which will be dedicated to celebrating Comedy in Color, featuring a mix of live stand-up performances from top-tier talent and emerging comedians, virtual panel discussions, live podcast tapings, and more.”

“As a leader in the global comedy industry, but also as a true digital comedy pioneer, we are very proud to offer this special edition in an optimized free edition format, enabling us to do what we do best, curating and creating the best of comedy, while making it more accessible than ever, to all fans across the globe”, emphasizes Charles Décarie, President and CEO of the Just for Laughs Group. “We are truly able to deliver a Festival that lives up to Just for Laughs standards. Our spectators will be thrilled to safely reunite with their favorite artists – Rest assured that we will be back in a big way in 2021 with exciting plans for the comedy fans and industry who travel to join us every Summer”.

“Our goal with the Just For Laughs Festival is to really engage with the global comedy community, and have some important discussions regarding big societal issues in a way that’s still entertaining, with comedic relief provided by some of today’s brightest comedy stars”, shared Bruce Hills, President of Just For Laughs. “I could not be more honoured that Kevin Hart’s LOL is our official programming partner, working alongside our talented programming team, to offer the best possible, first-ever, 100% digital comedy festival.”

“Just For Laughs is an unparalleled comedic institution and we are delighted to expand our relationship with the festival and usher in an exciting new phase for our experiential division LOL X!,” said Jeff Clanagan, President of Laugh Out Loud. “Just For Laughs is the perfect partner to shine a spotlight on the emerging, diverse voices that are shaping the future of our Comedy In Color franchise and we look forward to unveiling more in the coming weeks.”