Edinburgh Comedy Awards shortlists announced

The Edinburgh Comedy Awards reveal the 2025 shortlists for Best Comedy Show and Best Newcomer, highlighting a diverse lineup ahead of the ceremony.

Edinburgh Comedy Awards names 2025 shortlists

Two prize categories anchor the 2025 Edinburgh Comedy Awards: The Taffner Family Best Comedy Show and the DLT Entertainment Best Newcomer. The Best Comedy Show shortlist includes Dan Tiernan: All In; Ed Night: Your Old Mucker; Ian Smith: Foot Spa Half Empty; John Tothill: This Must Be Heaven; Katie Norris: Go West, Old Maid; Sam Jay: We The People; Sam Nicoresti: Baby Doomer; Creepy Boys: SLUGS. The Best Newcomer list features Ada and Bron: The Origin of Love; Ayoade Bamgbaye: Swings and Roundabouts; Elouise Eftos: Australia’s First Attractive Comedian; Kate Owens: Cooking With Kathryn; Molly McGuinness: Slob; Roger O’Sullivan: Fekken; Toussaint Douglass: Accessible Pigeon Material.

The winners will be announced at a ceremony in Edinburgh on Saturday lunchtime. The judging panel is led by Sam Bryant, with a mix of industry and media professionals, and the organizers highlight that the shortlist reflects a wide range of topics, styles and perspectives from three continents.

The shortlists show a shift toward a broader, more inclusive comedy landscape that values cross‑platform reach. Audio and digital content feature prominently in career pathways, alongside live Fringe shows, suggesting platforms like podcasts can be stepping stones to stardom. The emphasis on a female‑led newcomer slate signals progress in gender representation, while the international mix hints at a truly global conversation in stand‑up and storytelling.

This edition also reinforces the festival’s role as a launchpad for tomorrow’s talent. By committing to a wide sample of voices and formats, the awards aim to diversify the pipeline from the Fringe into wider media. Yet with greater visibility comes heightened scrutiny, and the success of the shortlisted acts may hinge on how well they translate from stage to screen and online audiences.

Highlights

The festival continues to be a barometer for what audiences will be watching next.