PERFORM AT TCCF!

• Submissions will open on Monday, December 1st and close on Monday, January 5th at midnight.

• Note that we will not accept any submissions after the close date.

• Accepted comics will be notified by Monday, January 26th.

Submissions are available in three categories: stand-up comics, improv troupes and specialty shows. The submission fee for stand-up comics is $35. The fee for improv troupes and specialty shows is $70. Payment is due at the time of submission. Major credit cards will be accepted. Comics who are not invited to be on the festival will receive a voucher for the amount of their submission fee which can be used to purchase festival tickets.

Stand-up comics will be required to submit a 5-minute video. Improv troupes and specialty shows will be required to submit a 20-minute video. Please stick to these times. If the videos are longer than times stated above it will affect the chances of your acceptance.

• Submit your video via a YouTube link only. The Fest has chosen this format so the judges can concentrate on the quality of the performance and not wrangling with several other formats.

• Because judging is anonymous, we can’t send a request to view your clip. If you don’t want to publicly publish the video, set it to “Unlisted”. Copy that link and paste it into your submission form.

• Edit out the host. It’s you we want to see.

•  When viewing submissions, clips that have big laughs in the first 30 seconds really stand out.

• Remember that the quality of the video is a reflection of your seriousness about furthering your career. So, too, is the audio quality. We must be able to see and hear your set and the audience’s reaction clearly. Over the years, we have passed on some good comics because the submission video quality was subpar.

• Make sure your clip is recent. Preferably, within the last year.

• We want to hear jokes, not crowd work.

• Clean and PG-13 material will increase your chances of making the cut. This is not to say that R-rated material will not be accepted. It absolutely will. We are fans of all types of comedy. But clever always beats needlessly crass.

In addition to your submission video, we will also require a headshot and a professional bio of not more than 125 words. If you’re not a good writer, get someone to help you. We will not re-write or edit bios.

We also require links to your social media accounts relevant to your performance. These materials are subject for use in festival advertising and any relevant marketing material related to The Traverse City Comedy Fest both prior to and after the festival. Please make sure you have copyright clearance for anything you submit.

• All stand-up comics will be given three placements. At least one of the placements will be within a group show or competition.

• All improv and specialty shows will be given at least one placement.

• All comics will also be asked to volunteer at at least one show. Volunteer slots will typically be as an usher to a show and will be assigned by the festival.

• Stand-up comics will be given a room at the Hotel Indigo and a small travel stipend..

• Improv and Specialty Shows will be given a travel stipend.

• All participants will have a festival badge which will allow entry to all shows that are not sold out. Make sure you keep this on you so the venues know you’re with the Fest.

• All participants will be invited to the opening night party and any other social events scheduled during the festival.

• All comics will receive a welcome bag.

• The Traverse City Comedy Fest encourages all comics that are not accepted to still consider attending the festival. In addition to submission fee vouchers to be used for tickets, there are open mics and lottery slots in particular shows that are eligible for any comic attending the festival.

The festival submissions panel includes members of the Traverse City Comedy Fest staff, experienced performers and several non-comedians and people outside of the industry who bring a fresh perspective to the judging process. Each submission is graded on quality of performance. The judges’ scores are tallied, and the top scoring submissions make the cut.

• Dec 1, 2025 – Submissions Open.

• Jan 5, 2025 – Submissions Close at 11:59 p.m. NO submissions will be accepted after the deadline

• Jan 26, 2025 – Accepted submissions are notified

• April 16 - 18, 2025 – Festival Dates