ADMISSION:
Admission is free. RSVP at the links below. 

DESCRIPTION:
The fifth edition of the USC Comedy Festival comes after a year of unprecedented social isolation and demands for social justice. Whether staring at our screens or protesting in the streets, we learned why we still needed comedy and discovered new ways to make each other laugh in spite of it all. 

Affiliated with the USC Comedy track at the School of Cinematic Arts and the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Foundation, this year’s festival will honor legendary performer, impressionist, and character-ologist Bill Hader. Over three days, panels will feature well-known guests such as Aidy Bryant, Ben Schwartz, Lindy West, Matt Besser, Patton Oswalt, and Ramy Youssef; capture new voices exploding onto the scene; and celebrate the work of our newest generation of USC Comedy students.

Schedule of Events (all times are PT): 

Friday, April 9
5 p.m.: First Look 2021 Comedy Shorts – Program 1
Each year, through the generosity of Marcia Lucas’ Ohana Foundation, First Look and SCA Industry Relations showcase current student work. The USC Comedy Festival is delighted to bring you this preview of student films competing in this year’s comedy category.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

7 p.m.: Can Comedy Be Taught?
Before COVID, half of the people you knew were taking improv classes. The other half were teaching them. Was the whole thing a scam? Can comedy be taught? Should it be? Our panel of experts will discuss the problems and possibilities of the comedy curriculum. For free. Joining USC professor Wayne Federman will be improv legend, UCB founder, and host of the podcast Improv4humans Matt Besser; Groundling, portrayer of both Buffay twins, and current star of Netflix’s Space Force Lisa Kudrow; and stand-up comedian, Overthinker, Ice Bear, and author of If It’s Not Funny It’s Art, Demetri Martin.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

Saturday, April 10
9:30 a.m.: First Look 2021 Comedy Shorts—Program 2
Each year, through the generosity of Marcia Lucas’ Ohana Foundation, First Look and SCA Industry Relations showcase current student work. The USC Comedy Festival is delighted to bring you this preview of student films competing in this year’s comedy category.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

11 a.m.: Oakie Masters of Comedy Lecture Series—Bill Hader 
The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Masters of Comedy Lecture Series presents Emmy-winning actor and comedian Bill Hader (Saturday Night Live, Barry, Documentary Now!) in conversation with USC professor Wayne Federman. As part of the event, Hader will also receive USC Comedy's 2021 Oakie Award.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

2 p.m.: Women Creating Comedy
A discussion hosted by the Women of Cinematic Arts, featuring Chelsea Devantez, Ziwe Fumudoh, London Hughes, Jana Schmieding, and Rachel Sennott, moderated by WCA board member and SCA alumna Shannon Hardy.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

5 p.m.: Spotlight on Netflix's Big Mouth
A conversation about the Netflix original series featuring co-creators and executive producers Andrew Goldberg, Mark Levin, and Jennifer Flackett, and co-executive producer Kelly Galuska.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

7 p.m.: Spotlight on FX's What We Do in the Shadows
A conversation about the FX original series featuring executive producers and writers Paul Simms, Stefani Robinson, and Sam Johnson, moderated by SCA professor Chris Marcil.
For more info and to RSVP, click here. 

Sunday, April 11
11 a.m.: Spotlight on Hulu's Shrill
A conversation about the Hulu original series, featuring Aidy Bryant (executive producer, star), Ali Rushfield (executive producer, showrunner), and Lindy West (executive producer, author).
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

1 p.m.: Spotlight on Hulu's Woke
A conversation about the Hulu original series with co-creators Keith Knight and Marshall Todd and executive producer/director Maurice Marable.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

3 p.m.: Spotlight on Hulu’s Adult Animation
A conversation with Jordan Blum and Patton Oswalt (Marvel's M.O.D.O.K.); John Harvatine IV and Tom Root (Crossing Swords); and Mike McManhan (Solar Opposites).
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

4:45 p.m.: From Pitch to Peabody 
A conversation with Hulu Originals vice president and head of comedy Billy Rosenberg and the creator and star of Hulu’s Ramy, Ramy Youssef, on the nuts and bolts of how comedy is developed.
For more info and to RSVP, click here.

For more information and updates, visit cinema.usc.edu/ComedyFestival.

Presented by USC Visions and Voices: The Arts and Humanities Initiative. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.