CRITERIA

FILM

BEST FILM
Best Film is open to any live action comedy film, including shorts as well as features, scripted or non, that had its first screening, or was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. [NOTE: “Comedy films” can include any comedic format, such as mixed genres, sketch comedy films, anthologies, “reality” and documentary productions.]

BEST ANIMATED FILM
Best Animated Film is open to any animated comedy film, including shorts as well as features, that had its first screening, or was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. This category is open to all forms of animation, including but not limited to traditional, computer and stop motion animation.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A FILM
Best Performance in a Film is open to any comedic performance, live or voiced, in any live action or animated film, including shorts as well as features, that had its first screening, or was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021.

BEST FILM WRITING
Best Film Writing is open to any scripted live action or animated comedy film, including shorts as well as features, that had its first screening, or was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021.

BEST FILM DIRECTION
Best Film Direction is open to any live action or animated comedy film, including shorts as well as features, that had its first screening, or was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021.

TELEVISION

BEST TV PROGRAM OR SPECIAL
Best TV Program or Special is open to any live action comedy television series, mini-series, program or special, of any length, scripted or non, that was first broadcast, streamed, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one episode may be entered per submission. Multiple episodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same show are allowed, as long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period. [NOTE: “Comedy TV Series, Mini-series, Programs or Specials” can include any comedic format, such as mixed genres, sketch comedy shows, variety shows, anthologies, talk shows, game shows, prank shows, news parody or satire shows, “reality” and documentary productions.]

BEST ANIMATED TV PROGRAM OR SPECIAL
Best Animated TV Program or Special is open to any animated comedy television series, mini-series, program or special, of any length, that was first broadcast, streamed, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one episode may be entered per submission. Multiple episodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same show are allowed, as long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period.  This category is open to all forms of animation, including but not limited to traditional, computer and stop motion animation.

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A TV PROGRAM OR SPECIAL
Best Performance in a TV Program or Special is open to any comedic performance, as a character or as their self, live or voiced, in any live action or animated TV Program or Special, of any length, that was first broadcast, streamed, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. For a series or mini-series performance, only one episode in which the performer appears must have premiered during the qualifying period to be eligible for entry. Only one episode may be submitted, and that episode - and its accompanying video clip - must have premiered within the qualifying period to be eligible for entry. The same performer may be submitted multiple times for roles in different series or mini-series; however, a performer may be submitted only once for each series or mini-series, even if they play multiple characters within the same show.

BEST TV WRITING
Best TV Writing is open to any scripted live action or animated comedy TV Program or Special, of any length, that was first broadcast, streamed, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one episode may be entered per submission. Multiple episodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same writer and/or show are allowed, as long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period. 

BEST TV DIRECTION
Best TV Direction is open to any live action or animated comedy TV Program or Special, of any length, that was first broadcast, streamed, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one episode may be entered per submission. Multiple episodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same director and/or show are allowed, as long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period. 

INTERNET

BEST WEB SERIES
Best Web Series is open to any comedy web series or mini-series, of any length, scripted or non, live action or animated, that was first streamed, broadcast, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one webisode may be entered per submission. Multiple webisodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same show are allowed, as long as each submitted webisode premiered during the qualifying period. Each webisode must be submitted separately. [NOTE: “Comedy Web Series” can include any comedic format, such as mixed genres, sketch comedy shows, variety shows, anthologies, talk shows, game shows, prank shows, “reality” and documentary productions.]

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A WEB SERIES
Best Performance in a Web Series is open to any comedic performance, as a character or as their self, live or voiced, in any live action or animated Web Series, of any length, that was first streamed, broadcast, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. For a web series or mini-series performance, only one webisode in which the performer appears must have premiered during the qualifying period to be eligible for entry. Only one webisode may be submitted, and that webisode - and its accompanying video clip - must have premiered within the qualifying period to be eligible for entry. The same performer may be submitted multiple times for roles in different web series or mini-series; however, a performer may be submitted only once for each web series or mini-series, even if they play multiple characters within the same show.

BEST WEB SERIES WRITING
Best Web Series Writing is open to any scripted live action or animated comedy Web Series, of any length, that was first streamed, broadcast, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one webisode may be entered per submission. Multiple webisodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same writer and/or web series are allowed, as long as each submitted webisode premiered during the qualifying period.

BEST WEB SERIES DIRECTION
Best Web Series Direction is open to any live action or animated comedy Web Series, of any length, that was first streamed, broadcast, screened or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Only one webisode may be entered per submission. Multiple webisodes of the same series or mini-series may be submitted separately, and multiple nominations for the same director and/or web series are allowed, as long as each submitted webisode premiered during the qualifying period.

LIVE

BEST STAND-UP COMEDIAN
Best Stand-Up Comedian is open to any stand-up comedian who has performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates.

BEST VARIETY ACT
Best Variety Act is open to any comedic variety or specialty act, including solo performers, duos or troupes/ensembles, who has performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates. [NOTE: “Comedic Variety or Specialty Act” includes, but is not limited to, musicians, bands, clowns, magicians, hypnotists, impressionists, psychics, ventriloquists, character performers, etc.]

BEST SKETCH TROUPE
Best Sketch Troupe is open to any sketch comedy duo, troupe, team or ensemble who have performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates.

BEST IMPROV TROUPE
Best Improv Troupe is open to any improvisational comedy duo, troupe, team or ensemble who have performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates.

BEST ONE PERSON SHOW
Best One Person Show is open to any comedic One Person Show performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates. To qualify as a “One Person Show”, the show must be performed by one person, who has also written and/or directed the show. Collaborating with other writers and/or directors is allowed. Supporting performers are allowed but must be limited to A TOTAL of no more than 5% of the show’s lines, as well as spending no more than 5% of the show “on stage”. [NOTE: This category is open to improvisers doing solo shows, such as One Man Harolds.]

BEST PLAY, MUSICAL OR REVUE
Best Play, Musical or Revue is open to any comedic play, musical, revue, pantomime, burlesque show, music hall/vaudevillian production, opera or operetta, or other similar theatrical production, performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates. [NOTE: Revues by Sketch Troupes or Improv Troupes qualify within this category, but, if entering this category, these shows - and video clips from them - may NOT be used to submit to the “Best Sketch Troupe” or “Best Improv Troupe” categories.]

BEST PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY, MUSICAL OR REVUE
Best Performance in a Play, Musical or Revue is open to any individual comedic performance in a play, musical, revue, pantomime, burlesque show, music hall/vaudevillian production, opera or operetta, or other similar theatrical production, performed in front of a paying audience in any performance venue, including but not limited to theatres, comedy clubs, variety clubs, cabarets, open mics, bars, live streaming shows over the internet, festivals, community events, charity shows and Fringe stages, between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. The submitted video clip must be of a qualifying performance, as described above, recorded within those qualifying dates. [NOTE: Individual members of Sketch Troupes, Improv Troupes, Variety Acts, etc (i.e. as in a sketch or musical revue), may be submitted to this category.]

AUDIO

BEST COMEDY ALBUM
Best Comedy Album is open to any audio recording by a comedic act, including but not limited to stand-up comics, sketch troupes, variety or special acts, musical comedy acts, musical/variety show cast recordings, prank collections, etc, that was first released, on physical media or online, between July 1, 2020 and November 30, 2021.

BEST PODCAST
Best Podcast is open to any comedy podcast, of any length, of any number of episodes, scripted or non, recorded in studio/privately, on location or in front of an audience, that was first streamed, broadcast or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Multiple episodes of the same podcast may be submitted, so long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period. Each episode must be submitted separately. [NOTE: “Comedy Podcast” can include any comedic format, including but not limited to mixed genres, sketch or variety series, anthology series, talk or interview shows, game shows, prank shows, news satire or parody shows, improvised shows, “reality” and documentary productions, etc.]

BEST RADIO PROGRAM
Best Radio Program is open to any comedy radio program, of any length, of any number of episodes, scripted or non, produced in studio, on location or in front of an audience, that was first broadcast, streamed or otherwise distributed between July 1, 2020 to November 30, 2021. Multiple episodes of the same radio program may be submitted, so long as each submitted episode premiered during the qualifying period. Each episode must be submitted separately. [NOTE: “Comedy Radio Program” can include any comedic format, including but not limited to mixed genres, sketch or variety series, anthology series, talk or interview shows, game shows, prank shows, news satire or parody shows, improvised shows, “reality” and documentary productions, etc.]