Finalists Announced For 2025 Comedy Fest’s Fred Award For Best New Zealand Show

The three finalists for this year’s coveted Fred Award have been chosen by a panel of expert judges and will compete at tomorrow’s final showcase Last Laughs, hosted by Eli Matthewson. The award will go to the Best New Zealand Show in the 2025 NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo and is one of the highest commendations in Aotearoa’s comedy industry.

Named in honour of the late comedy icon John Clarke’s legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award was introduced in 2006 and recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Previous winners have included Rose Matafeo, Guy Montgomery, Dai Henwood, James Nokise, Chris Parker, Rhys Darby and the 2024 reigning winners Barnie Duncan & Trygve Wakenshaw with their show Different Party.
 
The standard has been incredibly high across the Festival and the panel had long discussions to create the shortlist of three finalists.
 
The Fred Award finalists for 2025 are:

• Abby Howells: Welcome to my Dream
• Angella Dravid: I'm Happy For you
• Melanie Bracewell: A Little Treat

For the first time, all of this year’s Fred finalists are women, an exciting milestone that celebrates the creativity and contributions of wāhine across the comedy industry. All three have also previously won the coveted Billy T Award, Angella in 2017, Melanie in 2018 and Abby in 2023.

“This year’s Fred Award finalists represent the very best of what comedy in Aotearoa can be, fearless, distinctive, and brilliantly funny. It’s a proud moment to see these wāhine, all previous Billy T Award winners, take centre stage in a lineup that’s both historic and deeply deserved.”  says Lauren Whitney, Chief Executive, New Zealand Comedy Trust.

The Fred Award winner will receive a $5,000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. The Trust’s vision and purpose is to champion the craft of comedy so everyone can share a laugh, and are the producers of the Festival.  

The final show of the Festival tomorrow, Last Laughs is hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson. Head along to celebrate the best of the festival at Last Laughs from 7PM at SKYCITY, and see performances from the Fred Award finalists, alongside the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Witness who will be honoured with the prestigious Billy T Award Yellow Towel and The Fred Award’s Golden Gumboot and the official gifting of the Topp Prize to James Nokise. Making a special appearance as this year’s headline act is Tofiga.

LAST LAUGHS
Sunday 25 May, 7PM
SKYCITY Theatre
Cnr Wellesley Street West & Hobson Street

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