Prague International Festival of Comedy

The Prague International Festival of Comedy (PIFCO) is the largest international comedy festival in the Czech Republic. Established in 2018, it takes place annually in Prague over ten days, typically running through the first ten days of November. Performances are held in venues throughout the city. The PIFCO follows the steps of the PRAHAha International Comedy Festival, which took place in 2016, hosting 53 artists both from the Czech Republic and abroad. The festival was a huge success, nevertheless it was only a one-time event. The PIFCO plays host to a plethora of local and international artists; in 2018 the festival will list 29 shows, (including 4 free performances) by 50 artists. Although it is mainly a vehicle for stand-up and cabaret acts, the festival has also included sketch shows, improvisational theatre, debates, musical shows and workshops.

2016 Edition

The international festival was organized by the endowment fund “Nadační Fond Comedy in Prague,“ a nonprofit trust in accordance with Czech Law. Its mission was to provide a humorous, international, and multilingual cultural exchange where people from different countries, backgrounds & ages meet and connect through comedy.

The festival welcomed more than 4,500 guests in several venues around Prague, attracting both tourists and residents of Prague. Audience members were of all ages and nationalities, with a strong focus on comedy, travel, and other cultures.^[1]

57 comedians coming from 17 different countries were performing in three different languages (Czech, German, English). The headliners were Andrew Maxwell, Alfred Dorfer and Lars Reichow.^[2]

The festival director was Lynn Tourki,^[3] a small person loving witty humor and sarcasm.^[4]

Czech Shows

Adéla Elbel	Arnošt Frauenberg	Dominik Heřman Lev	Ester Kočičková
Jakub Žáček	Jiří Harnach	Karel Hynek	Lucie Macháčková
Martin Vasquez	Ondřej "En.Dru" Havlík	Pavel Tomeš	Petr "Nasty" Cerha
Petr Vydra	Radek Petráš	Vojta Záveský

German Shows

Alfred Dorfer	Caroline Ebner	Lars Reichow	Christian Schulte-Loh
Frank Smilgies	Norbert Bürger	Sebastian Rüger	Urban Priol

English Shows

Adrián Minkowicz	Yianni Agisilaou	Ivan Kirkov	David Tsonos
Mark Palmer	Sophie Hagen	Andrew Maxwell	Ryan McDonnell
Marcel Lucont	Zoe Lyons	Becky Brunning	Carly Smallmann
Charmaine Davies	Dave Thompson	Gareth Berliner	Geoff Whiting
Jason Patterson	John Gordillo	Joseph Wilson	Mark Meier
Matt Price	Matthew Bayliss	Maureen Younger	Nathan Caton
Simon Feilder	Tamar Broadbent	Tom Toal	Johnny Kats
Péter Felméri	Kris Szumowski	Marcin Stempień	Peter Szumowski
Isac Radu	Anastasia Goncharuk

2018 Edition

The Festival is currently being planned. More updates will be available very soon.

Awards

As of 2018, the PIFCO ends its run by recognizing the most outstanding show and performer with an award for his or her outstanding lifetime achievement to comedy. The award is presented to the best act as selected by a special committee and festival sponsors

References

^ Czech Press Agency (4 October 2016). "Festival stand-up comedy bude začátkem listopadu v Praze". Deník.
^ Filip Nachtmann (4 October 2016). "Komici z celého světa míří do Česka. Na festival PRAHAha". Týden.
^ Jana Orzan (5 November 2016). "Festival stand-up komedie". Czech TV.
^ Jan Velinger (29 October 2016). "Stand-up comedy takes centre stage in Prague". Czech Radio.

External links

[1] Czech Press Agency (4 October 2016). "Festival stand-up comedy bude začátkem listopadu v Praze". Deník.

[2] Filip Nachtmann (4 October 2016). "Komici z celého světa míří do Česka. Na festival PRAHAha". Týden.

[3] Jana Orzan (5 November 2016). "Festival stand-up komedie". Czech TV.

[4] Jan Velinger (29 October 2016). "Stand-up comedy takes centre stage in Prague". Czech Radio.

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