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 | .svg.png){kind=small} Yianni Agisilaou |  Ivan Kirkov | .svg.png){kind=small} 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
See also
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
- Official Prague International Festival of Comedy Facebook
- Official Prague International Festival of Comedy Instagram
- Official PRAHAha International Comedy Festival site