Laugh After Dark ComedyFest • October 26–28, 2026 • Las Vegas

Comedy, film, and culture come alive in the Las Vegas Arts District.

Laugh After Dark ComedyFest is a three-day celebration of independent comedy, featuring screenings, live tapings, stand-up showcases, workshops, panels, networking events, and world-class entertainment. The festival brings together filmmakers, comedians, and industry leaders from across the country.

Now in its 5th year, ComedyFest is the flagship annual event of Laugh After Dark, the creator-driven comedy brand behind LADTV, award-winning comedy specials, and dozens of viral comedy clips collectively earning hundreds of millions of views across social media. Each year, the festival highlights original voices and emerging talent, showcasing comedy in all its forms: on stage, on screen, and anywhere they intersect. With its high-energy atmosphere, engaged audiences, and a growing community of filmmakers and performers, ComedyFest offers a unique space for creators to connect, showcase their work, discover new collaborators, and be part of one of the most vibrant comedy events in Las Vegas.

🎥 STANDUP & FILM SUBMISSIONS
Standup and film submissions are handled separately.

Films: Submit here on FilmFreeway
Standup: Get info at laughafterdarkcomedyfest.com/submissions

🎬 THE FESTIVAL EXPERIENCE
Whether you're a filmmaker, comedian, writer, actor, or creator, ComedyFest offers a dynamic mix of:
- Comedy film screenings
- Standup showcases
- Official Laugh After Dark tapings
- Industry workshops & panels
- Private networking & mixers
- Curated industry + press events
- Nightly live comedy filming events

We’re a hybrid stand-up + comedy film festival built to support independent creators while celebrating the art, craft, and culture of comedy.

⭐ INDUSTRY ACCESS
Connect directly with the people shaping today’s comedy and film landscape. Our judges, speakers, and attending industry professionals have worked with:

Amazon • Netflix • Hulu • HBO • Showtime • Comedy Central • Lionsgate • Fuse
…and many other leading studios, platforms, and production companies.

Expect bookers, distributors, writers, directors, producers, managers, agents, festival programmers, and club owners throughout the weekend.

⭐ SAMPLE EVENTS & SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES

🎥 Official Laugh After Dark Tapings
Experience the energy of our live tapings as Laugh After Dark films select segments at the festival. These official tapings capture the creativity and spontaneity of comedy “after dark,” with footage considered for release across the Laugh After Dark ecosystem.

✍️ So You Have a Story: How to Pitch + Sell Your Idea Workshop
A practical, hands-on session exploring how to package, pitch, and present your comedic concepts, from films to pilots to original series.

🚐 Road Warrior Workshop: Touring, Booking, & Building a Comedian’s Career
For comedians ready to expand their touring footprint. Learn the fundamentals of navigating the road, connecting with venues, building momentum, and sustaining a healthy creative career.

🖊️ Intro to TV Pilot Writing Workshop
A foundational workshop covering the essentials of crafting a compelling TV pilot — structure, character, industry expectations, and storytelling fundamentals.

🎞️ Industry & Press Events
Creating Comedy: Independent Voices On Screen
A curated showcase highlighting select festival films and standout comedic work. This special event includes a moderated discussion with creators and industry attendees, plus built-in networking opportunities.

⭐ WHY SUBMIT?
- A unique festival dedicated to comedy on screen and on stage
- A dynamic, creator-first environment with engaged audiences
- A growing national platform through LADTV and LAD’s live productions
- A chance to connect with filmmakers, comedians, and creative collaborators
- A festival that champions originality, bold storytelling, and independent voices
- A high-energy experience in one of the fastest-rising arts districts in the country

Join us in the Arts District and connect with a vibrant community of comedy creators.

Awards & Prizes

All award-winners will receive an official Laugh After Dark Comedy Fest Medal and Laurels!

[ [ [ COMEDY AWARDS ] ] ]
You can submit your film entry here on FilmFreeway and your standup submission directly on our festival website: laughafterdarkcomedyfest.com

Best Performance by showcase.

[ [ [ FILM AWARDS ] ] ]
Awards will be given based on the highest cumulative average score by industry judges

Best Comedy Short
Best Comedy Web Series/Episodic
Best Comedy Music Video
Best Sketch Comedy
Best Comedy Micro Short
Best Standup Comedy Special
Best After Dark Comedy
Best Comedy Horror
Best of Fest (awards given by industry judges at their discretion)

AUDIENCE CHOICE AWARD
In addition to the judges awards, the Audience Choice Award lets fans decide the winner by voting for their favorite films from the festival. Fans cast their votes after each screening and the film with the most likes wins. This award is all about celebrating comedy through the eyes of the fans.

Rules & Terms

[ [ [ TERMS & CONDITIONS ] ] ]
- By submitting to Laugh After Dark ComedyFest I understand that if selected to participate in the festival, I will be requested to attend ComedyFest October 26-28, 2026. You further acknowledge that no travel, payment, or accommodations will be provided.
- Submit your film entry here on FilmFreeway and your standup submission directly on our festival website: laughafterdarkcomedyfest.com
- In order to submit a film, you must own the rights or have permission from the owner.
- Films must have been produced after January 2024
- The Festival relationship will exclusively be with the film submitter.
- Any Foreign film that is not in English must have English subtitles.
- All fees are non-refundable.
- A copy of the film will be required for screening at the festival.
- Not all submissions will be selected for the festival. Our Judges are free to make their own choices and no answers will be given about entries not selected for the festival.
- You can submit in multiple categories including standup and film in order to become a multi-award film. Still, the decision about the selection is strictly determined by our judges' team and no selection is guaranteed. A fee is required for each category submission.
- By submitting you accept Laugh After Dark ComedyFest Rules and Terms herein including the image release below.
- Submitting to the festival authorizes Laugh After Dark ComedyFest to use, distribute and share the film poster, trailer, synopsis, and movie stills on our social media. You also agree to provide such items to the festival.

[ [ [ IMAGE RELEASE ] ] ]
By submitting to the Laugh After Dark ComedyFest and/or attending the festival, I irrevocably authorize and grant Laugh After Dark Entertainment, LLC and Laugh After Dark ComedyFest LLC (“hereinafter the Producers” which includes its successors and assigns) the right to:
- Record me (picture and/or voice) on photographs, film, and/or videotape, for audio-only, audio and visual, and/or visual-only reproduction (“the Recording”).
- Edit the Recording into a film/television program (which may include other recordings and material).
- Use my name and likeness, voice, biographic or other information concerning me to promote the festival and any content produced from the festival.
- Screen and broadcast the Recording on any broadcast, cable, and digital streaming outlet.
- Use and license others to use the Recording in all media throughout the world for the full period of copyright, including for the purposes of publicity, advertising, sales, and promotion of the footage.
- Other material: I also grant the Producer a non-exclusive license to use the following material in the film as needed: (personal papers, manuscripts, photographs, memorabilia, footage, musical works, etc.).
- I hereby release the Producer from any infringement or violation of personal and/or property rights of any sort whatsoever based upon the use of the Recording.
- I acknowledge that the Producer owns and shall own all rights, title, and interest (including copyright) of the Recording.
- I further acknowledge that the Producer is not obliged to use the Recording.
- I warrant that I have full power to enter into this Release and that the terms of this Release do not in any way conflict with any existing commitment on my part. Reference to “the Recording” in this Release includes any and all edited versions made by the Producer and also includes any previously recorded material of me made by the Producer.

8 Reviews
Overall Rating
Quality
Value
Communication
Hospitality
Networking
  • Karla Espino

    5 stars all around! This festival was so much fun. In all honestly, it actually restored my faith in festivals. Robert and Kelsey are the best. They provided great workshops, networking events, and specials for everyone involved. I will 100% support this festival as it continues to grow. 10/10 recommend submitting AND attending (that's the best part!)

    November 2025
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  • Jessica Mathis

    This was one of the best organized and friendly fests I've been to. Met some great people and shared some fun laughs in a beautiful theater. So glad we were included and plan to be back in the future.

    November 2025
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  • C.J. Arellano

    My short “Dry January” screened at Laugh After Dark in Oct 2025 (and won Best Horror Comedy!). The fest was terrific: a wonderful opportunity for filmmakers to connect with comedians. The shorts were well curated (“Aimee Comes First” included the best performances I’ve seen in an indie short in the last 5-10 years) and the comic lineups were overall very impressive. It was great vibes all around, and the Vegas backdrop of course was a hoot - I was totally gagged visiting all the “Showgirls” filming locations. 🤣 Many thanks to the programming team - excited to see this fest continue to grow in years to come!

    November 2025
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  • Andrew Otchere

    Wonderful festival! Such a great time connecting with other comedians and filmmakers.

    November 2023
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  • Stephen Foster

    What a great festival. We were honored Driverless was selected. Great team.

    October 2023
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