For the first time, the New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) will present Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch, bringing the annual industry spotlight on emerging comedic talent into the festival’s official programming. The presentation and showcase will take place on Nov. 12 during the festival, which runs from Friday, Nov. 6, through Sunday, Nov. 15. This year’s honorees will also be featured in Variety’s Nov. 4 issue ahead of the live presentation.
Since 2000, Variety has been selecting standout comedians for their 10 Comics to Watch franchise. Past honorees include comedy titans such as Wanda Sykes, Nate Bargatze, Patton Oswalt, Fred Armisen and Zach Galifianakis as well as more recent breakouts such as Ayo Edebiri, Hannah Einbinder, Caleb Hearon and Julio Torres.
The New York Comedy Festival (NYCF) is the largest and longest-running annual comedy festival in the United States. Over its 21-year history, the NYCF has stayed true to its mission — spotlighting the very best in comedy through a bold and diverse slate of programming. Beyond stand-up, the festival offers an eclectic mix of sketch and improv performances, panel discussions, intimate conversations with comedy legends, talent competitions, star-studded fundraising galas, film screenings, live podcast tapings, interactive partner activations and much more. Founded by comedy legend Caroline Hirsch in 2004, the NYCF has brought together the country’s top comedians including Judd Apatow, Bill Burr, Margaret Cho, Louis C.K., Larry David, Kevin Hart, Jo Koy, Nick Kroll, Bill Maher, Trevor Noah, Conan O’Brien, Amy Schumer, Sarah Silverman, Wanda Sykes, Tracy Morgan and many others to venues throughout the five boroughs of New York City.
Hirsch is also the founder and owner of comedy club Carolines on Broadway, a cornerstone of the comedy world for more than four decades. Originally opened in 1982, the club relocated to Times Square in 1992, where it remained a New York City institution and premier destination for stand-up comedy until its closure in 2022.
“The New York Comedy Festival is a pillar of the comedic world that serves as a vital launch pad for up-and-coming talent, making it a natural fit for our annual 10 Comics to Watch,” said Dea Lawrence, co-president and publisher of Variety. “We’re proud to bring this franchise to the storied festival stages for the first time.”
“The festival has always prioritized spotting emerging comedic talent early and giving them a meaningful platform to grow,” said Hirsch, founder and owner of the NYCF. “That focus on discovery, not just headliners, is what keeps it fresh and has helped launch so many careers, and we’re thrilled to partner with Variety to extend that mission. The 10 to Watch list consistently highlights the industry’s most dynamic new voices. With this partnership, we are celebrating these rising voices and showcasing the future of comedy at this year’s festival.”
The deadline for submissions is Sept. 4. Candidates or their representatives can find more details and submit their relevant qualifications here.