Stand-up contest at inaugural Palm Springs comedy fest includes cash prize and Step1 special

The inaugural Palm Springs International Comedy Festival (PSICF) www.PalmSpringsComedyFest.com continues to come together nicely, a month before kick off.

The festival already announced that it’ll present Kathy Griffin with the “Comedian of the Year” Award, and Illeana Douglas the “Pioneer in Comedy Award.” That’s in the first weekend, Nov. 9-11. In the second weekend, Nov. 16-18, the fest will host a stand-up comedy competition, and reward the winner with $1,000 cast, plus a half-hour comedy special the new urban streaming network, Step1 TV. The special also will air locally on KTVA-TV (Ch. 35.10).

“I’m super excited to work along Palm Springs International Comedy Festival and represent Step1 TV out of Los Angeles,” said Step 1 TV’s programming director, Damitra Dee Dee Stuart. “Looking forward to having a great time and to search for the newest comedy star, helping them make their dreams come true by putting them on our platform in front of millions of viewers.”

“It’s exciting to be able to partner with Step 1 TV’s CEO Belinda Baker and Damitra Stuart and give the winner of the stand up competition unprecedented exposure, by giving them their own comedy special,” added PSICF Director Paul Cruz. “Our goal is always to find the next big thing in comedy in every area we cover. I look forward to working with Step 1 TV on this mission.”

PSICF intends to discover and promote great comedic talent from around the world. The festival also features a screenplay competition with 15 categories and 28 awards.

Sean L. McCarthy

Editor and publisher since 2007, when he was named New York's Funniest Reporter. Former newspaper reporter at the New York Daily News, Boston Herald and smaller dailies and community papers across America. Loves comedy so much he founded this site.

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