Source: China State Council Information Office 3
A new comedy competition forum that connects emerging talent with investors debuted Friday at the Macao International Comedy Festival.
A photo captures a scene from the stage play “I’m Your Father” at a comedy pitch event during the second Macao International Comedy Festival in Hengqin, Guangdong province, April 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]
The New Talents: Comedy Venture Capital Forum is China’s first platform where comedy screenwriters can pitch their work to potential investors through stage performances.
Held in Hengqin, a district of Zhuhai city in Guangdong province adjacent to Macao, the event featured directors Feng Xiaogang and Xu Zheng and comedy stars Shen Teng and Ma Li as judges. The forum aims to help emerging comedians secure funding, gain access to industry resources and find creative collaborators, helping transform their script ideas into marketable productions.
The competition drew more than 300 original stage play submissions across genres from urban comedy to absurdist theater and dark humor. After selection and development, six finalists presented their scripts through immersive performances.
The program also included an artificial intelligence component, with organizers saying AI helped screenwriters find inspiration and explore new approaches to comedy.
A photo captures a scene from the stage play “Home, Friends and Whiskey” at a comedy pitch event during the second Macao International Comedy Festival in Hengqin, Guangdong province, April 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]
Playwright Ji Yun’s “I’m Your Father” won the top story and best incubation awards following performances and deliberations by the judges. Liang Yubao’s “The Laughing Grandpa” received the jury’s special award, while Sang Kezhou’s “Home, Friends and Whiskey” earned the most potential prize. Guan Xin and Qu Mufei’s “Seize the Flight” took home the best creativity award.
“Comedy should mirror everyday experiences,” Ji said during his acceptance. “By articulating what audiences feel but can’t express, we find boundless creativity. Our art must both originate from and return to the people.”
Director Xu Zheng, one of the four judges, shared his vision at the awards ceremony: “I want to see greater diversity in comedy. May more comedic works flourish across all cultures and contexts.”
Filmmakers Feng Xiaogang, Xu Zheng and comedy stars Shen Teng and Ma Li serve as judges at a comedy pitch event during the second Macao International Comedy Festival in Hengqin, Guangdong province, April 11, 2025. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]
The second Macao International Comedy Festival runs through Sunday across Hengqin and Macao, featuring comedians, film screenings, performances, forums and an evening gala.