Apply for Pilot 2026

Everything you need to know:

Thank you for expressing interest in Pilot! We’re looking to bridge the gap between a typical 5 minute slot in your first Melbourne International Comedy Festival show and producing/performing your own full length comedy show. This will be a collaborative project between you, the producers, and the other young people involved in the program.

You must:

  • Be aged 16-25 (as of January 1st 2026)

  • Have some comedy or performance experience

  • Have never headlined a metro Melbourne show

We want Pilot and the future of the arts industry to represent the diverse population of Australia! People of all genders, people with disability, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders and folks from all cultural backgrounds are strongly encouraged to apply.

If you’re unsure about your eligibility, have any access barriers to filling the form, or any questions, please contact us at: pilotcomedy.team@gmail.com or text/call 0400 320 418.

Not sure if you’ve got the right experience? We highly encourage you to give it a go and apply anyway!

What do we want from you?

We want you to write and perform a 30 minute comedy show with a narrative thread or theme. There is no restriction on the style of comedy used. These shows will be performed at next year’s Melbourne International Comedy Festival, in a double bill format (two comedians each night). The venue and dates will be confirmed later in the process, but you’ll definitely get at least two opportunities to perform.

Throughout the process, you’ll be communicating with Ethan and Dylan, the producers, to track your progress and offer any support we can. We want you to give us your all and collaborate on some cool new work!

How we support you

Pilot takes care of all the producing, financing and marketing. There is no cost for performers to be involved - This includes flights and accommodation for interstate folks. We also may be able to support prop, costume, and other show-related costs.

We will run a compulsory workshop in late 2025 that will give you all the tools you need to write and perform your show, as well as getting photography and videography to use to promote the show.

Once a week, between our workshop and the comedy festival, we will host a check-in where everyone can catch up, get advice and try out some of their new material.

You will get professional headshots and photography of your performance that will be yours to use for any future project.

After two successful years of Pilot, we have a built-in audience and will be offering complimentary tickets to producers, media, reviewers and other established networks in the wider arts industry.

“Both the organizers and fellow comedians were so genuinely supportive. Thanks to Pilot I feel more capable than ever.”

Ned McVicar, 2025 participant

“Pilot is a great opportunity! I really loved being able to explore long form storytelling and experiment with ongoing themes, as well as meeting heaps of amazing comedians and folks behind the scenes.”

Naomi Ross, 2025 participant