VicScreen partners with Melbourne International Comedy Festival to launch Originate Comedy incubator

VicScreen and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival have joined forces to create Originate Comedy, a three‑stage development incubator aimed at turning Victorian comedy ideas into half‑hour scripted series pilots. The programme will accept pitches from local comedy writers and performers, select four projects for mentorship, masterclasses with leading writers and one‑on‑one work with an international script editor, and workshop them with local talent. Two of the resulting pilots will be showcased in a live reading at the 2027 Melbourne International Comedy Festival.

The initiative is overseen by VicScreen CEO Caroline Pitcher and incoming MICF CEO and Festival Director Dylan Cole, who say the partnership will give emerging creators a clearer route from stage to screen and provide exposure to producers, commissioners and investors.

Applications opened on 10 August 2026 and close on 10 September 2026, with successful teams receiving support to develop market‑ready comedy projects for television.