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WeAre8, the people’s social platform built for good, is starting the new year with a big laugh by launching Comedy Fest, a new initiative giving emerging comedians the chance to be discovered on a global stage and perform live at Big Belly Comedy Club, one of London’s most iconic comedy venues this January.

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Created to elevate the next generation of comedy talent, Comedy Fest will bring together some of the most exciting new voices from across the UK. All ticket proceeds from the live final will go directly to support national charity Mental Health UK, using laughter as a force for connection and positive change.

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“We’re delighted that Comedy Fest is set to brighten up January, using laughter to bring people together. Thanks to the support of WeAre8, every ticket sold for the final will help support our work to provide practical advice, peer support and local services across the country.” said Jemima Woolgar, Head of Community and Events Fundraising at Mental Health UK

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Four high-profile comedians will serve as judges, each selecting two standout performers from submissions on the WeAre8 app. The eight finalists will then perform live at Big Belly Comedy Club, with audience engagement and judges’ scores helping to crown the overall winner, who will also join the WeAre8 UK Creator Board, receiving ongoing mentorship and creative career support.

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Alongside the event, WeAre8 will host a full Comedy Fest takeover on its virtual stage, giving the finalists global exposure and a digital platform to reach new audiences beyond the club.

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Each finalist will receive a performance fee, but the bigger reward is the chance to perform in front of some of the biggest names in British comedy.

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“Comedy Fest is about joy, discovery and giving brilliant new voices the stage they deserve,” said comedian, actor and writer, Sanjeev Bhaskar OBE. “Alongside WeAre8, I’m proud to bring people together through laughter and to support mental health at a time when connection matters most.”

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The Comedy Fest live final is scheduled for 21st January 2026 at Big Belly Comedy Club in Vauxhall. The judges are Josh Berry, Sikisa, Russell Hicks and Sanjeev Bhaskar with Mental Health UK as the charity partner.

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T&C's

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• To enter you need to download WeAre8 and create an account, then upload a 2-minute max video (you can upload up to 3 different videos) of your funniest set by 21st December 2025 using #ComedyFest2026
• We cannot accept videos with overt editing (i.e. adding in laugh tracks, multiple edits of different performances etc)
• Your first time performing comedy was after Jan 1st 2020
• 1 x video entry from each comedian will be randomly put into 1 of 4 groups which will be sent over to one of our 4 judges
• Each judge will choose their favourite 2 performances, these 2 people will then have the opportunity to perform at the live final on 21st Jan at the Big Belly Comedy Club
• Each of the 8 live finalists will perform a 5 minute set in front of the judges and a live audience
• The judges will then decide the overall winner on the night along with audience input

Rewards

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• All entries will be put in front of 1 of our 4 judges so a great chance to get yourself in front of a professional comedian
• The finalists will get to perform their material in front of our judges and live audience at Big Big Belly Comedy Club
• The 8 live finalists will all be paid £80 for the 5 minute set (plus travel expenses for anyone based outside of greater london) and WeAre8 merch
• We will provide all the finalists with professionally recorded and edited footage of their performance
• The overall winner will get a place on the WeAre8 UK Creator Board as well as support and promotion in their career from the team at WeAre8.

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