Just For Laughs Reveals Award Honourees and Announces Comedypro Programming

Montréal, QC - July 10, 2026 - Just For Laughs today announced programming for ComedyPRO 2026, the comedy industry’s premier gathering place, taking place in Montreal from July 22 - 25 as part of the Just For Laughs Festival. A global comedy marketplace for buying, selling, discovering, and celebrating comedy, ComedyPRO brings together the artists, executives, producers, buyers, creators, and industry leaders influencing the future of the business. The festivities also include the prestigious Just For Laughs Awards Show, with tickets available to the public for the first time, honouring some of the biggest names and boldest voices in comedy. Passes for ComedyPRO are available now, with featured programming details available at ComedyPRO.hahaha.com.

This year’s Just For Laughs Awards Show, hosted by Tone Bell with Cipha Sounds as DJ, will honour:

• Generation Award: Gabriel "Fluffy" Iglesias presented by Alfred Robles and Martin Moreno

• Breakout Comedy Star of the Year: Atsuko Okatsuka presented by Joel Kim Booster

• Comedy Performance of the Year: Chris Fleming presented by Jane Wickline

• Rising Comedy Star of the Year: Lisa Gilroy presented by Rick Glassman

• JFL Legacy Tribute Award: Bruce Hills

"ComedyPRO is where the comedy industry comes together to celebrate excellence, discover what's next, and build the relationships that shape the future of the business," said Nick Brazao, VP of Programming & Talent, Just For Laughs. “The ?J?ust For Laughs Award honourees each represent a different facet of comedy's evolution, from global icons who have redefined what's possible, to groundbreaking voices who are pushing the art form in exciting new directions. We look forward to celebrating their immense contribution to the comedy industry.“

Highlights of this year’s programming include:

New Faces of Comedy - One of the most highly anticipated industry talent showcases at Just For Laughs, the New Faces of Comedy series serves as a launching pad for the next generation of comedic talent. Handpicked by JFL producers, New Faces gives emerging stand-ups, characters, writers, and creators invaluable exposure in front of the industry, opening doors to new opportunities and broader recognition. These signature showcases continue to be a celebrated tradition, shining a spotlight on the brightest comedy stars of tomorrow.

Deadline’s Comedy Means Business Live Podcast Recording - As part of a new partnership with Deadline, ComedyPRO will present a live recording of Comedy Means Business hosted by Deadline’s Matt Grobar, to kick off ComedyPRO’s Opening Cocktail. The live podcast brings Deadline’s industry perspective directly into the room for a sharp conversation on the business, culture, and future of comedy, while ComedyPRO’s signature cocktail setting brings buyers, producers, creators, executives, comedians, and partners together for the conversations and connections that build meaningful relationships and drive the industry forward. Additional details will be announced soon.

State of the Industry Address - Just For Laughs alums Gianmarco Soresi and Jay Jurden will deliver ComedyPRO’s State of the Industry address, a comedian-led commentary on the business of comedy right now. Presented as part of ComedyPRO’s Thursday evening cocktail, this featured event offers a sharp, entertaining look at the industry we’re here to celebrate, challenge, and influence. The address turns the industry back on itself, taking stock of the platforms, power players, trends, creative pressures, market shifts, and cultural contradictions defining comedy today. Equal parts industry insight, comedic provocation, and well-aimed roast, it looks at where comedy stands now, where it’s headed next, and who gets to shape the conversation.

“I am very excited to be delivering the 2026 state of the industry address at JFL with my good friend and notable heterosexual, Gianmarco Soresi. Hopefully both of us can use this as an opportunity to introduce ourselves to new fans, build industry connections, or even better, become conservative grifters,” said Jay Jurden.

“In the ever-changing landscape of comedy, I hope that we can remind our peers that one thing remains the same: Comics will always have something to bitch about,” said Gianmarco Soresi. “And if you’re gonna complain, the least you could do is make it funny!”

“Comedians and industry attendees shouldn’t worry because both of us are known for being extremely easy-going and mostly keeping our opinions to ourselves especially on social media,” commented Jay and Gianmarco.

Meet & Greets - Just For Laughs will also host its inaugural Meet & Greets, connecting creatives directly with more than 20 comedy executives from companies across the US & Canada.

Participating companies in this year’s Buyers Meet & Greets include: 20th Television, ABC & Hulu, Amazon Studios, Bell Media, Blink49 Studios, CBC, CBS, Fifth Season, Lionsgate Canada, Peacock & NBC, The Walt Disney Company, The Wonder Project, and Warner Bros.

Participating companies in this year’s Producers Meet & Greets include: Broadway Video, Candour Pictures, Club Red Productions, Counterfeit Pictures, Doozer Productions, Fiasco Global Media, Five Tigers Productions, Muse Entertainment, New Metric Media, Shaftesbury, and Skywild Pictures.

Just For Laughs Shorts & Pilots - ComedyPRO will present this year’s slate from the Shorts & Pilots programs, presented in partnership with Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue, which showcase standout short films and original half-hour television pilots.

This year's Shorts & Pilots juries feature acclaimed executives, producers and filmmakers from across the industry: Shane Allen, Aba Amuquandoh, Kesila Childers, Kimmy Gatewood, Brendan Halloran, Nelu Handa, Mike Mitchell, Kelci Parker, and Paul Robalino.

To discover this year’s official selection, and for more information, visit Comedypro.hahaha.com.

Just For Laughs Speed Pitching - Designed to be fast-paced and high-energy, this exciting program offers a rare and valuable opportunity for emerging and established talent alike—whether producers, writers, comedians, or content creators—to bring their most innovative and entertaining concepts to the table. Participants have the chance to pitch their original scripted TV projects directly to top-tier industry professionals - from network executives to production companies, and other key decision-makers from across the global entertainment landscape.

David Zucker’s Social Media Bootcamp - Join us for a hands-on workshop hosted by digital strategist David Zucker. Through live demos and real-world examples from festival comedians, you’ll learn smarter ways to reach new fans and convert attention into real engagement. Want to find your own social media blind spots? Follow along as David takes a JFL New Face through their socials, giving practical tips and updates to help all attendees walk away with a clear understanding how to grow your audience.

Cocktails & Parties - ComedyPRO will also feature a series of exclusive cocktail events and after-parties designed to bring the global comedy community together beyond the daytime programming. Open to ComedyPRO pass holders and artists, these evening events will create informal, high-value opportunities for buyers, producers, creators, executives, talent, and industry partners to connect throughout the festival.

Passes for ComedyPRO are available now at ComedyPRO.hahaha.com.

Just For Laughs Montréal runs from July 15 - 26, 2026. Tickets and more information are available at HAHAHA.COM/EN.

PRESS MATERIALS

Talent headshots and Shorts & Pilots posters can be found HERE.

The Just For Laughs Montréal Festival is extremely grateful for the support of its valued partners: Belle Gueule, KIA, Énergir, Consignaction, YUL – Montréal Airport; its hotel partners DoubleTree by Hilton, Hilton Québec, Delta Hotels Montreal and Hôtel Château Laurier Québec; its official media partners Radio-Canada and La Presse; and its official broadcast partners Radio-Canada, France Télévisions, Bell, Crave, Noovo, M6, Canal+, RTL, RTS, Netflix, TV5, Prime Video, CBC, and JPR+/JFL+.

The Festival also wishes to acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Québec, the Government of Canada, the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal, the Quartier des spectacles, Montréal centre-ville, and Place des Arts, without whom this would not be possible.

Connect with Just For Laughs:
Facebook: facebook.com/justforlaughs
Instagram: @justforlaughsmontreal
YouTube: @justforlaughs
LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/justforlaughs

ABOUT JUST FOR LAUGHS

Sylvain Parent Bédard founded his entertainment group in 1997 which went on to acquire the Just For Laughs assets in 2024. Today, the Group stands as a major Canadian Québécois cultural institution, internationally recognized for its mission: “Spreading laughter across the globe”.

A global leader in comedy, Just For Laughs produces the world’s largest comedy festival, held in Montréal since its inaugural edition in 1983. The Group also extends its expertise through a series of festivals in Québec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Singapore, Sydney, and Bermuda, strengthening its worldwide footprint.

Driven by passion, innovation, and excellence, the Just For Laughs team collaborates with top talent and partners across the entertainment industry. Each year, the Group entertains over 100 million fans through its digital platforms and media channels, which collectively have surpassed 100 billion views.

Just For Laughs creates, produces, distributes, and broadcasts comedic content in all its forms: films, television series, theatre, musicals, solo shows, multi-artist shows, festivals.

The Group also produces ComedyPRO as part of the Just For Laughs Montreal Festival every year: the world’s leading comedy industry marketplace, which has for decades helped launch and propel the careers of numerous renowned artists through its landmark initiatives.