#BOXOFFICE: “SPIDER-MAN” KEEPS “ELEMENTAL” AT BAY

It was a fight of the Animated Features this weekend at the Movies! SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE would prevail over Disney and Pixar‘s ELEMENTAL with $19.4 million for Sony Pictures. This brings its run to $315 million domestically over four weekends. ELEMENTAL brought-in $18.3 million in its second weekend, a total run of $65 million.

Third also was a close call with THE FLASH prevailing with $15.1 million for Warner Bros. for a total $18.5 million. R-rated Comedy NO HARD FEELINGS starring Jennifer Lawrence debuted with $15 million from 3,208 theatres for Sony Pictures. Lawrence‘s latest gets 67% on the Tomatometer.

TRANSFORMERS: RISE OF THE BEASTS is poised to take fifth spot with $11.5 million for Paramount Pictures, a total of $122 million grossed to date domestically.

#SPOTTED: SASHA COLBY, WILLOW PILL, KERRI COLBY, GIGI GOODE AND GOTTMIK + MORE AT PRIDE TORONTO 2023

Happy Pride!! So much fun again this year at Pride Toronto, including the Saturday night main event, DRAG BALL featuring a who’s-who in Drag including Headliner SASHA COLBY, Season 15 RuPaul’s Drag Race winnner. The Drag Ball took place at Nathan Phillips Square, a five-hour celebration of Drag that filled the outside of City Hall.

Earlier in the week also was annual fixture Starry Night, taking place as part of the Green Space Festival at The 519 Centre, also a huge draw. Like the Drag Ball this featured the hottest names in Drag, both north and south of the Border, a tour-de-force four-hour-long showcase!

What was unique about this year’s edition of Starry Night was that all three headliners: Gottmik, Kerri Colby and Gigi Goode are transgender. Absolutely historic!

Toronto got so lucky this year. A pure joy finally getting to some of my favourite beloved Drag Queens including all-time fave, RuPaul’s Drag Race Season 14 champion Willow Pill who headlined Disco Disco Thursday night. She is a genius.

So much respect for Drag Queens and the amount of skill, devotion and innovation that goes into their Art. Hope your Pride is amazing! 🌈❤️

See our Snaps:

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(Photo credit: Mr. Will Wong)

#SPOTTED: PEACH PRC IN TORONTO AT UMUSIC LIVE

Australia’s Peach PRC (the “PRC” is an abbreviation of “Porcelain”) already is a huge sensation on the Internet, having amassed a large following not only for her Music as a Singer/Songwriter, but also her candidness as a Social Media Personality. Her fans adore her for her unfiltered manner, talking transparently about her challenges with sobriety and coping with mental health.

Currently on a promotional tour, Peach PRC has hit-up major markets like Los Angeles, New York and now Toronto, getting to finally meet her North American fans. Sporting a pink aesthetic Pixie image, she delivers eye-catching visuals and an infectious Pop sound.

Peach PRC, played an intimate set at Live Nation‘s lounge last night, performing a few songs from her repertoire for fans. After a day of interviews, she performed another intimate set at Universal Music Canada’s headquarters, fielding questions from fans – many who came dressed in pink and hair dyed in the colour – before taking some group photos afterward.

The Artist was forthcoming about feeling nervous and not feeling her best in spirits but you’d never know it as she performed three tracks, including “Perfect for You” which interpolates Paris Hilton‘s “Stars are Blind” and a cover of Hilary Duff‘s Lizzy McGuire era “What Dreams Are Made Of“.

See some highlights from her UMusic Live Showcase below:

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#FIRSTLOOK: NEW FEATURETTE FROM “HAUNTED MANSION”

“Welcome, Foolish Mortals,” a new featurette for Disney’s frighteningly fun adventure “Haunted Mansion,” is available now. The film opens in theatres on July 28, 2023.

Directed by Justin Simien, the film features an all-star cast ensemble cast including LaKeith Stanfield, Tiffany Haddish, Owen Wilson, Danny DeVito, Rosario Dawson, Chase W. Dillon and Daniel Levy, with Jamie Lee Curtis and Jared Leto as The Hatbox Ghost.

Inspired by the classic theme park attraction, “Haunted Mansion” is about a woman and her son who enlist a motley crew of so-called spiritual experts to help rid their home of supernatural squatters. The film’s producers are Dan Lin and Jonathan Eirich, with Nick Reynolds and Tom Peitzman serving as executive producers.

(Photo/video credit: Disney)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW TRAILER FOR “PSYCHO-PASS: PROVIDENCE”

In theatres July 14, 2023, here is a look at the Trailer for PSYCHO-PASS: PROVIDENCE to be released in Canada by Sony Pictures Canada.

Synopsis:

January 2118. Chief Inspector of the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane Tsunemori, receives a report of an incident on a foreign vessel – the body of Professor Milicia Stronskaya has been discovered. Behind the incident is a group known as the Peacebreakers, a foreign paramilitary organization and a new outside threat who are targeting the professor’s research papers known as the “Stronskaya Document”.

Reunited with Shinya Kogami, a former fugitive from the Criminal Investigation Department, Akane grapples with a case that quickly escalates beyond their expectations. The Stronskaya Papers could reveal a truth that would shake Japan’s government, and even the Sibyl System, to the core.

It is in this untold story that the missing link is revealed.

PSYCHO-PASS franchise: The franchise revolves around The Sibyl System, an authoritarian system that quantifies the human personality. Sibyl’s analysis dictates every aspect of the citizens’ future. In exchange for Sibyl’s rule, the citizens enjoy a peaceful life.

With all manner of mental states and trends being recorded and monitored, the standard by which an individual’s soul is measured is a number that people have come to call the PSYCHO-PASS.

Detectives, wielding guns called Dominators that measure criminal potential, work closely with enforcers who hunt down latent criminals before they can break the law.

The young inspector Akane Tsunemori, a part of the Criminal Investigation Department, and her partner, enforcer Shinya Kogami, wrestle with the question of how a fair and perfect society can be upheld and maintained by a system that could possibly be corrupt.

PSYCHO-PASS was an original anime project for television that began in 2012. Now, after ten years, comes the newest film that will act as the connective tissue between the movie PSYCHO-PASS Sinners of the System Case 3: On the Other Side of Love and Hate and season 3 of the PSYCHO-PASS TV series. The entire story will now finally be told.

Catch up on the past PSYCHO-PASS television series and films on Crunchyroll.

English Dub Cast: Kate Oxley (Akane Tsunemori), Robert McCollum (Shinya Kogami), Jessie James (Nobuchika Ginoza), Cherami Leigh (Mika Shimotsuki), Mike McFarland (Teppei Sugo), Z. Charles Bolton (Sho Hinakawa), Lindsay Seidel (Yayoi Kunizuka), Lydia Mackay (Shion Karanomori), Erin Kelly Noble (Frederica Hanashiro), Bruce DuBose (Arata Shindo), Eduardo Vildasol (Kei Mikhail), and Stephanie Young (Dominator).

Credits: Directed by Naoyoshi Shiotani. Series Composition by Tow Ubukata. Script by Makoto Fukami and Tow Ubukata. Original Character Design by Akira Amano. Character Design by Naoyuki Onda. Music by Yugo Kanno. Original Story Concept Written by Gen Urobuchi.

(Photo/video credit: Sony Pictures Canada)

#FIRSTLOOK: “DUMB MONEY” RED-BAND TRAILER

We love Craig Gillsepie. The Director of Cruella and of course I, Tonya is back with DUMB MONEY and here’s a new Red-Band Trailer!

Synopsis:

Dumb Money is the ultimate David vs. Goliath tale, based on the insane true story of everyday people who flipped the script on Wall Street and got rich by turning GameStop (yes, the mall videogame store) into the world’s hottest company. In the middle of everything is regular guy Keith Gill (Paul Dano), who starts it all by sinking his life savings into the stock and posting about it. When his social posts start blowing up, so does his life and the lives of everyone following him. As a stock tip becomes a movement, everyone gets rich – until the billionaires fight back, and both sides find their worlds turned upside down.

Directed by Craig Gillespie
Starring: Paul Dano, Pete Davidson, Vincent D’Onofrio, America Ferrera, Nick Offerman, Anthony Ramos, Sebastian Stan, Shailene Woodley, and Seth Rogen.

(Photo/video credit: VVS Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: UPCOMING VVS FILMS JULY AT-HOME RELEASES

VVS Films have your Summer mapped-out with a selection of at-home releases for your enjoyment!

The Black Demon
VF- MARÉE NOIRE
June 27 – Digital Rental and Purchase
Cast: Josh Lucas, Fernanda Urrejola, Julio Cesar Cedillo
Synopsis: Oilman Paul Sturges (Josh Lucas) takes his family on vacation, but the Mexican coastal town he and his wife once knew has mysteriously disappeared. A massive Megalodon, known to local legend as the Black Demon, rises from the ocean’s depths, and Paul must somehow save his family from this primeval shark.

Who Killed Maggie Moores(s)?
VF – QUI A TUÉ MAGGIE MOORE?
July 4 – Digital Rental and Purchase
Cast: Jon Haam, Nick Mohammed, Tina Fey
Synopsis: The chief of police in a quiet Arizona town is suddenly faced with the back-to-back murders of two women with the same name.
Note: The film is being released in the US under the title “Maggie Moore(s)” – please use the full Canadian title in your coverage.

God is a Bullet
VF – ARMÉS DE VENGEANCE
July 11 – Digital Rental and Purchase
Cast: Maika Monroe, Nikolaj Coster-Waldau, Jamie Foxx
Synopsis:When a detective finds his ex-wife murdered and his daughter kidnapped by a satanic cult, he quits the police force and infiltrates the cult to hunt down the charismatic cult leader.

Prisoner’s Daughter (TIFF ’22 selection)
VF- EMPRISONNÉ DE SON PASSÉ
July 25 – Digital Rental and Purchase
Cast: Brian Cox, Kate Beckinsale
Synopsis: Granted a compassionate release, a dying convict (Brian Cox) tries to reconnect with his daughter (Kate Beckinsale) and the grandson he’s never known, but his violent past comes back to haunt them all.

(Photo credit: VVS Films)

#FIRSTLOOK: NEW CRAVE ORIGINAL SERIES “NESTING” IN PRODUCTION

Principal photography is underway in Toronto on the short-form Crave Original series NESTING, created by Rosa Labordé (The Spencer Sisters, Sensitive Skin) and Anna Hardwick (Mrs. America, Murdoch Mysteries). The series will comprise of eight eight-minute episodes directed by Emmy award-winning Allana Harkin (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee). Key cast include the creators Hardwick and Labordé, as well as Salvatore Antonio (Schitt’s Creek, Mary Kills People), Samer Salem (Yellowjackets, The Expanse), Ryan Allen (Titans, Five Days at Memorial), Paul Popowich (Spencer Sisters), Lisa Berry (Slasher, Supernatural), Carlos Gonzalez-Vio (The Hot Zone), Nicola Correia-Damude (The Boys, Shadowhunters), Rachel Wilson (The Hardy Boys), Alex Castillo (Rabbit Hole), and Mike Shara (Ride).

Anna and Rosa — loosely inspired by the series creators — are unlikely best friends for whom the romantic comedy dream hasn’t panned out — no house, no partner, no baby — who try to get knocked-up at the same time so they can parent together in a new version of family. As they clumsily and comically search for a baby daddy to fertilize their drying-up eggs, the women find their feelings changing from platonic to romantic, turning everything they believed about sexuality and ‘happily ever after’ upside down. Nesting is an unflinchingly hilarious series about friendship, fertility, the housing crisis, and love.

“Nine years ago, at a friend’s engagement party, we were commiserating over our disastrous dating lives and wondering if we’d ever find our person and have a family. Our mutual rumination was kinda wrecking the party so we hatched a plan: if we were in the same place in a few years we’d move in and have a baby together. We agreed it was an amazing idea…for a show. And that’s how Nesting was born.” – Rosa Labordé & Anna Hardwick

NESTING is produced by Project Undertow Inc.; Tara Ellis (Hey Lady!) and Michael Kessler (Hannibal) are also producers. Labordé and Hardwick both serve as co-creators, co-writers, co-stars and executive producers on the series; with Labordé as showrunner. Harkin is also executive producer along with Ellis, Kessler, Hardwick and Labordé.

#FIRSTLOOK: “TREASURE OF THE RICE TERRACES” TEASER TRAILER

Knowledge Network has green lit and picked up the Canadian rights for Kent Donguines’ feature documentary, Treasure of the Rice Terraces by Crawford Filmworks and Aimer Films. In this documentary, Donguines, a Filipino-Canadian filmmaker, sets out on a journey of self-discovery to meet the 106-year-old Indigenous tattoo artist, Apo Whang-Od, unearthing the global impact of traditional tattooing and the need to end its stigma, preserve Filipino cultural heritage and fight for cultural sovereignty. Production will be completed late 2023.

Directed by award-winning Donguines (Paco, Kalinga, This Ink Runs Deep) and written by Donguines and Zlatina Pacheva (Run the Burbs, Kim’s Convenience), the documentary is produced by Jacob Crawford and Bailey Wood of Crawford Filmworks, co-produced by Epicmedia’s Head of Production Patti Lapus (Midnight in a Perfect World, In My Mother’s Skin, Nocebo) and Grace Palicas.

Producer Jacob Crawford said, “We are thrilled to have the project land with Knowledge Network. They have supported us through our early and late development, and it really feels like the right home for Canada. With an international project like this and the success of the teaser’s global reach, we are excited to explore distribution options in other territories. We aim to provide individuals worldwide with the opportunity to experience this documentary.”

Writer/Director Kent Donguines added, “I’m really excited to be working with Knowledge Network and Crawford Filmworks in bringing this feature documentary to life. The development took over four years, and I’m happy that we took our time to rally the right people and the community to show the beauty of the Philippines beyond its tourist destinations. Through Treasure of the Rice Terraces, I want audiences to reflect and be encouraged to also reconnect with their respective roots, whether it’s through traveling, reading, art exhibits, tattoos, etc. I want to be able to inspire them to reclaim that sense of pride they used to have as human beings with respect to their own cultures.”

“We are thrilled to green light Treasure of the Rice Terraces for production,” said Patrice Ramsay, Senior Manager, Independent Production at Knowledge Network. “The stories we broadcast on Knowledge inform, enlighten, and connect viewers to each other and the world. Treasure of the Rice Terraces explores themes of interconnection and identity, and we look forward to sharing this fascinating journey of self-discovery with our audiences.”

Treasure of the Rice Terraces is being filmed in Manila and Buscalan, Philippines and Vancouver, Canada and will be released in 2024.

#FIRSTLOOK: QUINTA BRUNSON, RONNY CHIENG, MAE MARTIN & MORE TO BE HONOURED AT JUST FOR LAUGHS MONTREAL 2023

lJust For Laughs’ ComedyPRO returns with their exceptional annual global gathering for the comedy industry’s biggest players. This four-day industry experience grants exclusive access to a wide range of highly sought-after events, including captivating keynotes, pitch panels, entertaining cast panels, networking events, and live comedy podcasts. Additionally, ComedyPRO is proud to present the annual, prestigious Just For Laughs Awards Show and red carpet, which is one of the most buzzworthy events of the festival. The awards honour and celebrate iconic and influential names in comedy that span generations, creating a memorable and star-studded afternoon that embodies the spirit of the comedy industry.

JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARDS SHOW

JUST FOR LAUGHS AWARD SHOW – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom |

3:00 PM 

Hands-down, the funniest celebration with the biggest stars in comedy is the Just for Laughs Award Show! Don’t miss the raucous festivities and sincere camaraderie as friends, mentors, and fellow comics honor the comedy stars who made us laugh the most in 2023.

This year’s recipients include:

Comedy Person of the Year – Quinta Brunson 

The multi-talented Emmy award-winning actor, producer, writer, and creator, Quinta Brunson, has rapidly emerged as a prominent figure and game changer in the entertainment industry. She has been recognized as one of Time 100’s Most Influential People, Forbes’ 30 Under 30, and The Hollywood Reporter’s Next Gen Rising Young Stars. Brunson made history as the first Black woman to receive three Emmy nominations and win in the “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” category for her ABC series, Abbott Elementary. The show has garnered numerous awards and nominations, including five Golden Globe and six Critics Choice Awards among many other awards.  Brunson was named one of the Just For Laughs New Faces: Creators in 2017, and since then, she has continued to make waves in the industry with her exceptional talent and groundbreaking work. The festival is honored to have her return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Comedy Person of the Year”.

Stand Up Comedian of the Year – Bert Kreischer

Bert Kreischer’s career has evolved from earning Rolling Stone’s 1997 “Number One Partier in the Nation”, to one of the top grossing stand-up comics in the business.  Ranked #4 in Pollstar’s “Top 10 Highest Grossing Tours” in 2022, Kreischer performs to sold-out arenas worldwide on his ongoing 2023 Tops Off World Tour and this summer’s Fully Loaded Comedy Festival. Renowned for his storytelling abilities, he authentically shares tales of family and fatherhood, showcasing how he seamlessly brings his party-boy persona into middle-age. On March 14th, 2023, Kreischer released his highly anticipated 5th stand-up special, Razzle Dazzle on Netflix. Shameless — and shirtless — as ever, Bert spills on bodily emissions, being bullied by his kids, and the explosive end to his family’s escape room outing. His stand-up specials, Secret Time, The Machine, and Hey Big Boy are also currently streaming on Netflix. Additionally, he stars in and produced the 2023 film The Machine, based on his own experiences with Russian mobsters during a college trip.  Alongside his successful comedy career, Kreischer is a celebrated podcaster, hosting Bertcast and co-hosting Two Bears One Cave with Tom Segura. As the founder of Berty Boy Productions, his media company supports various podcasts, including Wife Of The Party and the digital series, Something’s Burning. Bert Kreischer continues to captivate audiences with his humor and versatile talent and the festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Stand Up Comedian of the Year”

Breakout Comedy Star of the Year – Ronny Chieng

Stand-up comedian, actor and correspondent on The Daily Show, Ronny Chieng has broken out with a mega successful acting career, starring in the worldwide hit film, Warner Bros’ Crazy Rich Asians. In addition to Marvel’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Disney’s Doogie Kamealoha, M.D., Universal’s M3GAN, NBC’s Young Rock, Disney+ series American Born Chinese, amongst his comedy specials currently available to stream on Netflix. Next, fans will see him in Hulu’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown. The festival is honored to have him return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Breakout Comedy Star of the Year”.

Rising Comedy Star of the Year- Mae Martin

Award winning comedian, actor, writer, and producer, Mae Martin is seeing their star rise to fame at record speed. Their hit Netflix series, Feel Good is a scripted, semi-autobiographical comedy drama series, which they also created and co-wrote continues to collect international awards and nominations, making it one of the most trending series on the platform. They are also an accomplished author of Can Everyone Please Calm Down?: A Guide to 21st Century Sexuality, published in May 2019 by Hachette imprint Wren and Rook. Their standup specials have garnered rave reviews. First, Netflix’s Dope, which focuses on addiction; and most recently, Netflix’s SAP that continues to rake in high praise from critics and fans. The festival is honoured to have them return this year to accept the JFL Award for “Rising Comedy Star of the Year”.

SPECIAL EVENTS

AIRPLANE! Live All-Star Cast Read directed by David Zucker – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 4:00 PM 

Join us in celebrating the 43rd anniversary of the ground-breaking and legendary comedy film, AIRPLANE! with a raucously fun live staged reading of select scenes from the original script, by an All-Star cast of comedians and surprise fan-favorite guests. Writer-Director David Zucker will then join us “In Conversation” for candid insights and stories from his upcoming book, Surely You Can’t Be Serious: The True Story of Airplane! (St. Martin’s Press, Oct, 3, 2023).  

CAST PANELS

Universal Television presents: The Cast of KILLING IT – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon

Ballroom | 2:30 PM 

Meet the cast of KILLING IT, Peacock’s hit seriesabout class, capitalism, and one man’s quest to achieve the American Dream. But first he has to overcome vicious criminals, nature run wild, and worst of all, corporate America. This panel will feature never-before-seen clips from the series’ upcoming sophomore season, and hilarious behind-the-scenes stories from its stars who are sure to leave you laughing! KILLING IT, Season 2 returns this summer on Peacock. 

Panel Features: 

Craig Robinson (The Office, Hot Tub Time Machine) 

Rell Battle (Superior Donuts) 

and Claudia O’Doherty (Our Flag Means Death, Love) 

HULU presents THIS FOOL: Sneak Peek Screening And Cast Conversation – Wednesday, July 26, 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 4:30 PM 

Join us for a special sneak peek screening of the season two premiere episode of the critically acclaimed HULU series THIS FOOL and a conversation with its “primo” stars, Chris Estrada and Frankie Quiñones. Chris and Frankie will discuss their journey from stand up to scripted TV, their hilarious on-screen dynamics and the importance of authentic on-screen representation. If we are lucky, they may even give some hugs to us thugs. THIS FOOL season two premieres on July 28th on Hulu. 

Panel Features: 

Chris Estrada 

Frankie Quiñones

CRAVE presents: The Cast and Creators of THE DESSERT –Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 3:00 PM 

Crave serves up the next generation of irreverent Canadian sketch comedy with an all-out, boundary-pushing expedition to the edge of decency. Join the executives, cast and creators of THE DESSERT as they take us through the creative development process of this audacious and rapid-fire celebration of the absurd. Executive Produced by Bruce McCulloch (Kids In the Hall), and Produced by LaRue Entertainment and Platonic Friends Productions the series premieres on Crave July 7th. 

This panel discussion will be moderated by Executive Producer,Max Kerman (Arkells), 

joined by:  

Shane Cunningham, Co-Creator/Writer/Actor/Producer  

Jonathan Popalis, Co-Creator/Head Writer/ Producer

Mike Veerman, Co-Creator/Writer/Director/Producer  

Isabella Campbell, Writer/Actor 

Jillian Smart, Writer/Actor 

Justin Stockman, VP, Content Development & Programming, Bell Media

IN CONVERSATION SERIES

Faith In Comedy: In Conversation with Ramy Youssef – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 1:00 PM 

Award-winning creator and comedian Ramy Youssef artfully portrays his Muslim faith with both devotion and defiance in his hit Hulu comedy show Ramy, while also expressing his faith in the divine art of stand-up comedy each time he takes the stage. Ramy and a special guest will discuss the polarizing, unifying, and contradictory intersections of religion and comedy in their personal writing and performance.  

Featuring: 

Ramy Youssef (Ramy, Mo, #1 Happy Family U.S.A.) 

In Conversation with Please Don’t Destroy – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 12:30pm

From Twitter to Studio 8H and now to the silver screen! Please Don’t Destroy trio Ben Marshall, John Higgins and Martin Herlihy are live and In Conversation for the first time at JFL.

Join this hysterical trio as we hear the origin story of how they came together, rose through the SNL Digital Shorts ranks, and made the leap from short-form to long-form with their feature film, which is produced by Judd Apatow, coming out on November 17th on Peacock.

Panel features: 

Ben Marshall 

John Higgins

Martin Herlihy

COMEDYPRO’S PREMIUM PODCASTS

ComedyPRO is thrilled to announce the return of Acast as the presenting sponsor of the ComedyPRO Premium Podcast Series. With an impressive lineup of today’s top charting comedy podcasts, Acast brings the excitement of live and in-person shows that will surely delight fans and industry insiders alike. Get ready to experience the laughter firsthand as Acast presents these highly acclaimed podcasts live at the festival.

The Downside with Gianmarco Soresi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 2:30 PM 

Stand-up comedian and lifelong cynic Gianmarco Soresi interviews people more famous than him about all the downsides to their life. This is a podcast where complaining is encouraged, and negativity is celebrated. Misery loves company, and so does ComedyPRO! Leave your optimism at the door, and join Gianmarco and co-host Russell Daniels in debunking silver linings.   

Let’s Make A Sci-Fi – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:45 PM

Can three comedians create a legit sci-fi movie? Comedians Ryan Beil, Maddy Kelly, and Mark Chavez are going to find out. In this hour-long live presentation of the Webby Award-winning podcast from CBC Podcasts, the three hosts sit down with a guest to pitch each other ideas for a serious science fiction movie and then hilariously hash it out to determine which idea Hollywood should make. Named, “Best Podcast of 2022” by The New Yorker; “A fun and lovely series” by Vulture and “Best Podcast of 2022” by Amazon Music.

StraightioLab – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:30 PM 

Straight culture: terrifying, fascinating, and endlessly entertaining. Very smart comedians George Civeris and Sam Taggart get to the BOTTOM of the mystery that is heterosexuality and its intricacies on their intellectual and hilarious TOP notch podcast StraightioLab. Scared? Good. From Big Money Players Network.

Kill Me Now with Judy Gold – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 2:00 PM

Award winning comedian and writer, Judy Gold always seems to be pissed-off about something. Whether it’s your cheap friend who always gets up from the table when the check comes, to socio-economic injustices, we can all get angry at the mundane sometimes. So, come laugh your ass off while Judy vents with wit, humor and passion on her podcast Kill Me Now.   

My Momma Told Me – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM 

From Big Money Players Network, Comedians Langston Kerman and David Gborie take a deep dive into the most exciting, ground-breaking and sometimes problematic Black conspiracy theories. They’ll have guests cover silly conspiracies, scary conspiracies and conspiracies they learned from that uncle who used to wear jeans when he went swimming in the public pool. 

Steph Infection: The Podcast – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room 12:30 PM 

Comedian Steph Tolev wants to know what’s going on with your body. Gross ailments, crazy accidents, things doctors can’t figure out, and anything in between. Drop by and check in at the Ovation room for Steph Infection: The Podcast.   

What’s Up Fool? – Friday, July 28 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 4:30 PM 

Comedian Felipe Esparza talks with random people he finds interesting. It might be somebody kind of famous or it might be that homeless guy at the end of your street who you walk past every day without saying hello. Everyone has a story to tell about how they got where they are, no matter who they are. 

Acast hit podcasts include,

The Best Hang Podcast – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 11:00 AM 

Acast’s The Best Hang Podcast is a comedic weekly pop culture review, co-hosted by seasoned conversationalist Mike Veerman, Arkells frontman Max Kerman and comedian Shane Cunningham. Authentic and candid updates that cover media, pop culture, sports and the hosts’ unconventional circle of friends.

Phone a Friend with Jessi Cruickshank – Saturday, July 29 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Ovation Room | 12:00 PM 

Comedian Jessi Cruickshank needed a safe space to talk about EVERYTHING without getting in trouble, and she’s found it at ComedyPRO. On her podcast, Jessi gives her hot takes on what’s happening in the world, in her home and in Pop Culture. But when she wants to dive deeper, she’ll get to Phone a Friend! 

and the previously announced Giggly Squad – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Club Soda | 9:30pm

With more to be announced soon!

JUST FOR LAUGHS’ NEW FACES 

The most highly anticipated industry showcase which serves as a launching pad for the next generation of comedic talent, the infamous New Faces series will take place Wednesday, July 26 – Friday, July 28, 2023. Handpicked by JFL producers, this platform not only provides these emerging talents with invaluable exposure but also serves as a catalyst for their careers, opening doors to new opportunities, representation, and industry recognition. This showcase continues to be a celebrated tradition, shining a spotlight on the brightest comedy stars of tomorrow.

This year’s cohorts will be announced on Monday, July 24, 2023. But don’t wait to get your tickets as these shows are some of the most in demand and sell out quickly.

New Faces of Comedy: Group 1 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM

New Faces of Comedy: Group 2 – Wednesday, July 26 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM

New Faces of Comedy: Creators – Thursday, July 27 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Grand Salon Ballroom | 1:00 PM

New Faces of Comedy: Characters – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM

New Faces of Comedy: Unrepped – Thursday, July 27 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM

New Faces of Comedy: International – Friday, July 28 2023 | Monument National – Ludger-Duvernay | 7:00 PM

New Faces of Comedy: Canada – Friday, July 28 2023 | Salle Ludger-Duvernay, Monument-National | 9:30 PM

Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch

Earlier this month, Variety revealed their highly anticipated 2023 cohort of Variety’s Top 10 Comics to Watch. This annual list showcases their list of the industry’s brightest and most promising comedic talents. Join us in person for their two annual festival events to honor these artists.

Cohen Gardner LLP presents Variety 10 Comics To Watch Showcase – Saturday, July 29 2023 | Monument National- Ludger-Duvernay | 9:30 PM

Catch the best and brightest from “10 Comics To Watch” and let them show you why they made the 2023 list. For the full list, visit: (link) 

Participating in alphabetical order:

Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.

Cohen Gardner LLP presents VARIETY’S “10 COMICS TO WATCH” Uncensored 2023 – Friday, July 28 | 2023 | DoubleTree by Hilton, Inspiration Room | 12:30 PM 

We sit down with Variety’s 2023 “10 Comics to Watch” for an hour of spontaneous and honest conversation about comedy. Hear about their struggles, epiphanies, crashes and breakthroughs, as these best and brightest comics of the year come together to share their comedy origin stories and what’s next for them on the road ahead.

Participating in alphabetical order:

Hannah Berner, Kurtis Conner, Zarna Garg, Ian Lara, Joanne McNally, Leanne Morgan, Nimesh Patel, Brian Simpson, Sabrina Wu.

Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL would like to thank its sponsors without whom this edition would not have been possible: Beneva and Chevrolet.

We would also like to acknowledge the exceptional help and support of our public partners: Government of Canada through Canada Economic Development and Canadian Heritage, the Gouvernement du Québec through the ministère du Tourisme, the Secrétariat à la région métropolitaine and the SODEC, as well as the City of Montréal, Tourisme Montréal and Montréal centre-ville.

COMEDYPRO TICKET DETAILS:

Various ComedyPRO passes are available for purchase at www.comedypro.hahaha.com

Student Pass gives access to many events and live shows throughout ComedyPRO and networking opportunities. You must present your student card upon picking up your Student Pass at the event.

FESTIVAL TICKET DETAILS:

Festival passes and tickets for Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL and can be purchased at www.hahaha.com