This year's winner of So You Think You’re Funny?, the comedy competition which has launched many stand-ups into the mainstream, will be announced on Thursday 21 August in one of the most prestigious prizes at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. 

Founded in 1988 by Karen Koren, the So You Think You’re Funny? competition is the longest running comedy award of its kind, and is funded solely by Gilded Balloon. Previous winners include Aisling Bea, Dylan Moran, Peter Kay, Rhod Gilbert and Tommy Tiernan, amongst others. 

Last year’s winner was Glaswegian comic Alana Jackson (pictured above), who fended off competition from 597 other comics and entertained a sold-out crowd at Patter House, alongside previous winner Maisie Adam. Winners of the prize receive a cash prize, a fully paid-for solo show run as part of Gilded’s Fringe programme, a variety of mentorship meetings, complimentary headshots, and other high-profile opportunities. 

Last year’s runners up, Ayo Adenekan and Ciara O’Connor, also received cash prizes, the potential for an invite to a mixed bill show as part of Gilded Balloon’s Fringe, and mentorship opportunities from industry professionals.

The judges for last year’s event included TV star and one of Britain’s best loved comedians Sue Perkins, who joined a panel including Katy and Karen Koren, journalists Arusa Qureshi and Bruce Dessau, Melbourne International Comedy Festival director Susan Provan,  and So You Think You’re Funny? producer Julia Chamberlain. 

Sponsors for this year’s event include Nips & Sips, who produce drinking pouches designed for people who want to party on the move, while media partners include, well, The List. We’re happy to support this new cohort of emerging talent. 

The final of the competition will be followed by an exclusive after party featuring luminaries of the comedy industry, who’ll have the chance to celebrate the winner and finalists of the competition. Also in the mix will be the chance to get a photo on Gilded Balloon’s pink carpet, cocktails from Nips & Sips, and a handful of comedians acting as DJs for the night. Previous DJ sets have come from Ivo Graham, Grace Campbell and Fin Taylor. 

This has already been a week of big announcements for Gilded Balloon, which announced a new year-round venue in collaboration with Paradise Palms and Kelburn Garden Party. Titled Gilded Saloon (see what they did there?), it'll open its doors on Wednesday 30 July and will feature a 200-capacity venue in its basement. Find out more in our latest Road To Edinburgh Festival round-up. 

So You Think You’re Funny?, Gilded Balloon, Thursday 21 August.