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Hannah Camilleri is one of the improv comedians bringing spontaneous acts to this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Photo: Pat Mooney.
Interviews

Spare a thought for improv comedians at this year's Melbourne International Comedy Festival

What does it take to make up a show on the spot? Four improv comics share their secrets.

Alex Hines & Sarah Stafford's Birds at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026.
Features

12 shows to see at Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Almost 800 shows are presented at MICF this year. To make selecting what to see easier, here are 12 festival…

Jonny Pasvolsky. Photo: Supplied. The CAN Principle.
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The CAN Principle review: Jonny Pasvolsky’s hilarious take on hope and can-do hucksters

In his one-man comedy act The CAN Principle, Jonny Pasvolsky shares a quick guide to 'can-lightenment'.

Hannah Gadsby will debut their new show at Malthouse Comedy. Image: Malthouse Theatre.
Features

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2026 – top picks

MICF is gearing up to celebrate 40 years of funny – here are the shows you shouldn't miss

MICF 2025 award winners group photo; Garry Starr (aka clown Damien Warren-Smith) reclines at the front.

Garry Starr wins Most Outstanding Show award at Melbourne International Comedy Festival

A one-man clown show about Penguin Classics has won MICF 2025's Most Outstanding Show award; a range of other comedians…

Nominees for MICF 2025 Most Outstanding Show and Best Newcomer. Front Row (L-R): Rosie Dempsey, Olga Koch, Ahir Shar, Lou Wall and Anisa Nandaula. Middle Row (L-R) Nicola Dempsey, Brett Blake, Greg Larsen, Scout Boxhall and Garry Starr. Back Row (L-R): George Fouracres, Robyn Reynolds, Meg Jäger, Kura Forrester, Rapha Manajem and Ethan Cavanagh.
News

Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025 award nominees announced

Nine shows are in the running for MICF’s Most Outstanding Show award this year; nominations for Best Newcomer were also…

Melbourne International Comedy Festival logo 2025. A bright and colourful stylised image of a jocular human-animal hybrid in yellow and blue against a bright red background.
Features

Wellbeing tips for surviving a gruelling festival season Part 2: Melbourne International Comedy Festival

How do comedians, clowns, cabaret artists and festival directors juggle self-care with the rigours of MICF?

A man with glasses and curly brown hair wearing a blue shirt with his arms in the air. He is carrying an accordion.
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Comedy review: Accordion Ryan's Pop Bangers, Speakeasy Theatre, MICF 2025

One man and his instrument playing a range of popular tunes.

Sponsored

A master storyteller willing to connect: Rob Carlton

The Silver Logie winner is bringing his powerful and award-winning one-man show, ‘Willing Participant’ to MICF 2025.

Geraldine Quinn's 'Bastard Joy' at Melbourne International Comedy Festival 2025. A publicity image for the show: Quinn, a fair-skinned woman with swept-back, shoulder-length auburn hair, stares dramatically at the camera. She wears an ornate ruffled dress in hot pink, and large, half-moon pink earings to match.
News

2025 summer festival highlights for your arts diary part 3: March

A hand-picked guide to some of the most intriguing cultural events on offer around the country in March 2025.

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