THE FAQs:

What are the performance dates of this year’s Blue Whale Comedy Festival?

This year’s Festival dates are Thursday, August 20 – Sunday, August 23, 2026. 4 Days of laughs!

Where can I find an application to perform?

The 2026 submission form is available starting February 1, 2026, but please read through these frequently asked questions first!

When are applications due? Does it cost anything to apply to the festival?

Stand Up & Improv Submissions:

- $20 Early Bird Submissions: February 1 - March 1

- $35 Open Standard Submissions: March 1 - April 15

- $50 Late Submissions will be accepted until 11:59 p.m. on April 30. No submissions will be accepted after this date.

Major credit card accepted and required to process all applications. Incomplete applications and those without payment cannot be processed.

What kind of comedy does the festival accept?

All forms of Stand Up, Sketch Comedy, Long & Short Form Improv Teams, Musical Sketch, or Video Sketches are accepted. Comedy from across the country as well as international submissions are accepted. Comics and comedy acts chosen to perform in the BWCF typically have several years of professional experience. If you think you have what it takes we encourage you to apply.

How long is a performance slot in the festival?

- Host: 5-7 minutes

- Opening Act: 5-10 Minutes

- Feature Act: 10-15 minutes

- Headlining Act: 35-45 minutes

- Sketch & Improv: 20-25 minutes

- Additional performing slots on special events also offered.

How are performers judged for acceptance in the festival?

Submissions are reviewed by a panel of judges including the producers of the festival and select comedy professionals. Applications are judged on quality, originality, professionalism, audience reaction and above all, funniness. We review each and every submission we receive equally! The #1 reason comics are rejected is due to a poor-quality video where we cannot see or hear you!! See our Video Tips below!

When will I be notified of acceptance or rejection to the festival?

All accepted submissions will be contacted in late June 2026.

Is there compensation for performing in the festival?

There is no payment for performing in the Blue Whale Comedy Festival, but there are many perks including bookings on BWCF shows throughout the year, free food and beverages backstage, free admission to the official After Party, discounted festival merch, and more. The Blue Whale Comedy Festival also strives to create an environment where comedians of all styles and abilities can interact and are treated with respect.

What kind of video should I submit?

We need to see how you perform in front of an audience. Clips should be at least 5-10 minutes but can be longer. We do not accept gag reels, punch lists, or clip shows. Do not send password-protected clips or download links; we do not review these.

Video Submission Tips

Send a strong video.
This sounds simple, but one of the most common reasons performers are not accepted is poor video or audio quality. If the sound is hard to hear, the stage is blocked by the audience, or the camera operator is laughing over the jokes, it becomes very difficult for our team to properly review the performance. Shaky, blurry video or bad audio can significantly impact the review process.

We review the first five minutes of your video unless instructed otherwise.
If your clip includes a long intro or other content before your set begins, please let us know exactly where to start. We watch hundreds of hours of submissions and can’t always tell what’s part of the act and what isn’t. A simple note like, “Begin watching at 1:07 — the host has a long intro,” is incredibly helpful.

Be honest.
We’ve been doing this for more than 10 years, and trust us—we’ve seen it all. If it’s your first show, tell us! We’re committed to supporting growing talent and creating opportunities for rising comedians. Also, please make sure the video you submit hasn’t already been reviewed by our team.