EXCLUSIVE: Just for Laughs has made its New Faces selections for 2026, with 47 comedic artists in this year’s class, between the stand-ups, characters, creators and writers programs.
On the Stand-Ups list are two comics highlighted recently by Deadline: Englishman Red Richardson, who made our list of the Comics to Keep an Eye on in 2026, and Mario Adrion, a German-American comic spotlighted in our Comedy Means Business newsletter in relation to his debut special, My Struggle.
Since its inception in 1994, JFL’s New Faces of Comedy Showcase has been regarded as a premier launchpad, helping propel the careers of dozens of comedy’s biggest stars, including Kevin Hart, Amy Schumer, Colin Jost, Ali Wong, Jerrod Carmichael and Jack Whitehall, among many others.
“Each year, New Faces introduces audiences to the next generation of brilliant comedy talent from around the globe, and 2026 is no exception,” said Nick Brazao, VP of Programming & Talent at Just for Laughs. “This year’s performers are sharp, original and hilarious. We’re proud to offer them this platform to show audiences how bright the future of comedy is.”
Just for Laugh’s New Faces showcases are taking place as part of the festival’s ComedyPRO programming between July 22 and July 25. The fest kicked off on July 15 and runs through the 26th.
Just for Laughs has been holding its flagship Montreal festival — the world’s largest for comedy — since 1983. Sylvain Parent Bédard’s Quebec-based ComediHa acquired the company in 2024. This year, JFL has welcomed SMOSH as its New Faces: Creators partner for a second consecutive year, with Michael Showalter and Jordana Mollick’s Semi-Formal Productions signing on for a new partnership on New Faces: Writers.
View the full 2026 New Faces lineup below.
NEW FACES: STAND UPS
Ainsley Bailey
Alon Elian
Andrew Packer
Carolina Montesquieu
Chris Renois
Cristina Mariani
David Drake
Elijah Nevels
Elle Orlando
Elouise Eftos
Esteban Gast
Fiona Cauley
Freddie Shanel
Gary Simons
Gus Tate
Hannah Veldhoen
Hassan Phills
Helen Bauer
Jack Hirschfield
Jackson Banks
Joe Marrese
Joey Dardano
Jonis Josef
Kenny Lee
Mario Adrion
Mark Thomson
Mitchell Doran
Nicky Paris
Peyton Ruddy
Red Richardson
Tessa Belle
NEW FACES: CHARACTERS
Annie Sullivan
Caitlin Frain
Clare McConnell
George C. Owens
Jesse Kendall
Jon Blair
Russell Daniels
Tiyawnda
NEW FACES: CREATORS in partnership with SMOSH
Lucas Lopez
Lucy Sandwick
Pooja Tripathi
Tom Cardy
NEW FACES: WRITERS in partnership with Semi-Formal Productions
Austin S. Harris (The Hayes House is Haunted)
Elliot Connors (Omni)
Jenna Ebersberger (Me & Marie)
Mike Liebenson (Midwestern Realty)
