Just For Laughs in Montreal is a comedy festival like no other that spans the course of the entire month of July. The final week of the festival is known as ComedyPRO. What ComedyPRO offers that the rest of JFL does not is not only killer stand-up comedy showcases and talent, but industry-friendly programming, where people in the comedy world can network, strike deals, and learn from their peers through industry panels, keynotes, concept showcases, and networking events. ComedyPRO takes place July 25 - 28th.
This year, ComedyPRO offers an expanded selection of industry panels covering a variety of current topics, adding to previously announced keynote addresses from Kenya Barris (Black-ish), Anthony Atamanuik (The President Show) and Mark Forward (Letterkenny) and Rebecca Kohler (Schitt’s Creek); the annual State of the Industry Address from Andy Kindler; and a special presentation of Throwback hosted by Wanda Sykes and produced by Page Hurwitz.
Here's more of the programming that ComedyPRO will include:
Bell Media: The Multi-Channel Approach to Comedy
An insider’s look at the Canadian broadcaster’s multi-channel opportunities across CraveTV, Much Studios, SnackableTV and CTV. Moderated by Mike Veerman, Host of Mike on Much. With panelists:
* Justin Stockman, Vice President, Pay and OTT Services, Bell Media
* Kevin Barton, Programming Director, SnackableTV, Bell Media
* Mike McShane, Director, Business and Partnerships, Bell Media
* Sarah Fowlie, Director, Comedy Original Programming, Bell Media
Beyond The Box: Playing It Short (Presented by Some Spider Studios in Association with Tubefilter)
Five teams pitch their ideas for the funniest, most innovative digital-first content. Moderated by Drew Baldwin, Founder and CEO of Tubefilter. With panelists:
* Ben Relles, Head of Unscripted Comedy, YouTube Originals
* Chris Kelley, Production Executive, Comedy, Bell Media
* Kesila Childers, Vice President, Development, Powderkeg
* Nathan Kloke, Head of Production, Above Average
* Peter Putka, Executive Producer Development & Production, Some Spider Studios
* Spencer Griffin, Creative Executive, Stoopid Buddy Stoodios
CBC Comedy Originals Pitch Program
An opportunity for five Canadian creator/producer teams to pitch their original web or TV concepts to development executives and key creatives from CBC Comedy. Panelists include:
* Becky Johnson, Space Riders: Division Earth
* Michelle Daly, Senior Director, Comedy, CBC Scripted Content
* Zach Feldberg, Executive in Charge of Production, Digital Originals, CBC
Comedy Club Bookers: The Gatekeepers of Comedy
Through all the changes and upheaval in the media landscape, the comedy club is still alive and well. Four of the best bookers in the world discuss how they are handling the tectonic shifts of the live comedy industry. Jeff Singer, TV Producer/US Talent Scout for Just For Laughs moderates. With panelists:
* Erin Von Schonfeldt, Executive Vice President, Talent, Levity Live
* Marc Grossman, Owner, Helium Comedy Club
* Mark Breslin, CEO/Founder, Yuk Yuk’s Inc.
* Wende Curtis, CEO, Comedy Works
Creators of Primetime Animation
Meet the courageous creators, hard-working head writers, and sleepless showrunners of today’s biggest animated comedy series. Moderated by Richard Crouse, host of CTV’s Pop Life. With panelists:
* Brent Butt, Creator, Corner Gas Animated, Bell Media
* Danny Smith, Executive Producer, Family Guy, FOX
* Mike Luciano, Co-creator, Animals., HBO
* Patrick Meighan, Executive Producer, Family Guy, FOX
* Peter Girardi, Executive Vice President, Alternative Programming, Warner Bros. Animation / Executive Vice President, Blue Ribbon Content
* Phil Matarese, Co-creator, Animals., HBO
From Set to Screen: TV, OTT, SVOD and More (Presented by Project 10 Productions in Association with the Independent Filmmaker Project)
An open pitch forum which invites comedians, writers and sketch performers to pitch their best long-form content ideas. Opening remarks by Amy Dotson, Deputy Director & Head of Programming, IFP. Moderated by Andrew Barnsley, President & Executive Producer, Project 10 Productions. With panelists:
* Ada Chiaghana, Director, Half Hour Programming, HBO
* Ashley Golden, Director, Original Programming, TBS
* Billy Rosenberg, Director and Head of Comedy Originals, Hulu
* Gina Kwon, Co-Head of Comedy/Half-Hour TV, Amazon Studios
* Jonathan Gabay, Senior Vice President, Comedy Development & Programming, FOX Broadcasting Company
* Sarah Weaver, Director, Programming & Planning, Specialty Channels, Bell Media
Global Laughter: Perspectives on International Comedy
Led by Iranian-American comedian Maz Jobrani, a panel of internationally-known comedians will focus on their craft, how they adapt their material (if at all) in their travels, and how they continue to keep audiences laughing around the world.
In Short Supply? Comedy and Diversity on the Web
Online comedy executives discuss how their platforms, and how the internet in general, has responded to the call for inclusivity. Moderated by Zain Meghji, Head of Video Content, Daily Hive. With panelists:
* Gina Reyes, Vice President, Scripted Development, Mitú
* Jennifer Danielson, Senior Vice President, Digital, Comedy Central
* Laura Fischer, CEO, Powderkeg
JFL/Thruline Television Staged Readings
Director Jeremy Garelick (The Wedding Ringer) leads an all-star cast of actors and comedians in a read through of an un-produced and unencumbered script.
Laughing Your Way to Success: A Focus on Comedy Programming for TV Learn how comedy makes dollars and sense in a fragmented media market. Moderated by Richard Crouse, host of CTV’s Pop Life. With panelists:
* Alec Botnick, Senior Vice President, Comedy Development, CBS Television Studios * Colin Davis, Senior Director, Original Programming, TBS
* David Sleven, Vice President, Comedy Development, NBC Entertainment
* K.P. Anderson, President/CEO, Pygmy Wolf Productions, Ltd.
* Samata Narra, Senior Vice President, Comedy Programming and Development, FOX Broadcasting Company
Political Comedy in the Pre-Apocalyptic World Meet a few of the fearless comics with strong opinions who find the funny in today’s world of instant news and deep political divide. Moderated by host and author Baratunde Thurston. With panelists:
* Anthony Atamanuik
* Gina Yashere
* Judah Friedlander
Variety’s 10 Comics to Watch Uncensored 2018 (Presented by Cohen Gardner LLP) An hour of pure, uncensored, and honest conversation about comedy with the best and brightest comics of the year. Moderated by Jenelle Riley, Deputy Awards and Features Editor for Variety, and featuring:
* Amanda Seales
* Darren Knight (Southern Momma)
* Dulcé Sloan
* Hari Kondabolu
* Jaboukie Young-White
* Joel Kim Booster
* Julio Torres
* Maya Erskine and Anna Konkle
* Sam Jay
* Taylor Tomlinson