Just For Laughs has announced the winners of the inaugural Just For Laughs Shorts & Pilots Program, recognizing emerging comedic talent and original storytelling across short and pilot formats. Selected creators will receive development opportunities with Just For Laughs, with Grand Jury Prize winners also entering a development partnership with Will Arnett’s Electric Avenue.
In the Shorts category, the Grand Jury Prize was awarded to Better People directed by Rory Kramer and written by Jessica Uhler. The Audience Award was presented to This Blows, written by Molly Clark and directed by Talia Smith.
In the Pilots category, the Grand Jury Prize went to Bulldozer, written by and starring Joanna Leeds, and directed by Andrew Leeds. The Audience Award was given to The Take, written by Joanna Bradley and Glenn Boozan.
“We’re excited to spotlight these rising voices and play a part in launching what we are sure to be amazing careers. This is only the beginning,” said Sylvain Parent‑Bédard, President & CEO of Just For Laughs.
“Just For Laughs has always been about discovery, development, and delivery, and the Shorts & Pilots Program is the newest extension of that mission,” said Spencer Griffin, Executive Producer and Head of Development & Creative Strategy. “It’s remarkable what creators are making independently, and we’re thrilled to showcase that work and collaborate with such a sharp, original group of artists.”
Launched in 2025, the Just For Laughs Montréal Shorts & Pilots Program was created to foster innovative comedic storytelling and identify the next generation of comedy creators. Submissions for the 2026 program will open in early 2026. For updates and announcements, follow @jflmontreal.
Judges for both programs were selected for their industry expertise, their connection to Just For Laughs, and their ongoing commitment to championing emerging comedic voices. The Pilots Program judges included Kate Chamuris, Anthony Q. Farrell, Phil Augusta Jackson, and Rebecca Kohler. The Shorts Program was judged by Leah Bleich, Kimberly Gatewood, Andrew Kasch, Rakhee Morzaria, Nicole Stamp, and Adam Tsekhman. Additionally, members of the Just For Laughs creative development and festival programming teams were involved in the selection process.
2025 Just For Laughs Shorts & Pilots Winners
SHORTS CATEGORYGrand Jury PrizeWinner: Better PeopleLogline: On an already rough day, a woman finds herself trapped in an endless loop of unfortunate events at a drive-through coffee shop.Prize: A development partnership with Just For Laughs and Electric Avenue, plus two industry passes to the 2026 Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival.
Audience AwardWinner: This BlowsLogline: An 11-year-old’s misunderstanding of the term “blow job” sends her babysitter scrambling to avert disaster at a kid’s birthday party.Prize: Two industry passes to the 2026 Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival.
PILOTS CATEGORY
Grand JuryPrizeWinner: BulldozerLogline: After discovering her boyfriend’s infidelity with sex workers, Jo’s impulsive plea for attention takes a dark turn—with consequences she never expected.Prize: A development partnership with Just For Laughs and Electric Avenue, plus two industry passes to the 2026 Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival.
Audience AwardWinner: The TakeLogline: As a legacy daytime talk show teeters on the edge of cancellation, beleaguered producer Amy Porter fights to keep both the show—and her career—afloat.Prize: Two industry passes to the 2026 Just For Laughs MONTRÉAL festival.
About the Winners
Better People: Rory Kramer is a Chilean-American, Emmy-winning writer and director whose recent work includes campaigns for major brands and recognized narrative projects at top festivals.
This Blows: Molly Clark is a New York-based LGBTQ+ comedic writer and actor whose feature film was recently optioned by a prominent production company. Talia Smith is a South African director whose debut short film, UMAMA, became Oscar-eligible after winning Gold at the 2020 Student Academy Awards and earning a spot on the Student BAFTA shortlist.
Bulldozer: Joanna Leeds is a Harvard graduate with acting credits on notable TV shows, while Andrew Leeds has a rich background in both acting and writing for major networks.
The Take: Glenn Boozan and Joanna Bradley are established writers in the industry with impressive backgrounds in television comedy. 
Shorts Participants Include:

• Bullies in the Sky — Taylor Brown
• Denise Sells Houses — Will Sonheim, Claire McFadden
• Happy Mart — Bill Posely, Bente Engelstoft
• Mahogany Drive — Jerah Milligan, Jonathon Braylock
• Slop King — Andy Assaf, Peter Schnobb
• Something Bad That Happened in My Past — Mike Mildon, Clare McConnell
• The Debut — Jared Bronen, Alex Guaglianone
• The Pact — Brandon Calder, Ryan George, Samuel Brisson
• The Protagonist Gene — Kyle Leland Cullerton

Pilots Participants Include:

• Dying Seconds — Brendan Halloran, Davin Lengyel, Samantha Wan
• Teen Mary — Ali Rosenthal

ABOUT JUSTE POUR RIRE / JUST FOR LAUGHSFounded in 1983, Just For Laughs is a global leader in comedy and producer of the world’s largest comedy festival in Montréal, with additional festivals in Québec City, Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, and Bermuda. It has launched the careers of numerous comedy legends and entertains millions annually across festivals and media in over 150 countries. Just For Laughs also produces live shows, musicals, and is the organizer of the ComedyPRO conference
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