03/18/2024
I love this photo. For 8 years, the Just For Laughs Festival was an amazing part of my life. Every summer, the world’s comedy community would head to Montreal for what felt like day camp for grown ups. For a few weeks, the world’s funniest comedians and biggest industry would let their hair down, let loose, and you made friends for life. I was just starting out in comedy. Some amazing heads of the festival believed in me and gave me my break to run the New Faces show. As the years went on, they believed in me more, giving me the opportunity to spread my wings, talent coordinating more and more shows. I eventually showcased one of my films, hosted their film festival, and a dream come true, I became a New Face myself. I’m forever grateful what Just For Laughs did for me, the guidance and camaraderie showed me what the comedy world could be and helped launch me into a career I could have only dreamed of. It’s so disheartening that the festival is closing its doors. It’s an institution of the comedy that I hope some way, some how, finds its way back… so that the ‘day camp for comedy’ can live on forever. Thank you to everyone involved with the festival for all you’ve done for me. I wish you all the best.