Chortle Awards 2026: Nominations Announced
- 20 February 2026
- · Awards
The shortlists for the 2026 Chortle Awards are here, and Melbourne audiences will get a chance to catch heaps of these award nominees live at the Festival!
Australian artist Elouise Eftos is recognised in the Best Newcomer category, adding to a long list of accolades, including a Best Newcomer Nominee at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards in 2025. Elouise is bringing her new show, Aphrodite, to Arts Centre Melbourne from 7-19 April.
In both the Breakthrough Act and Best Show categories, UK’s Luke McQueen and Sam Nicoresti continue to build serious momentum and buzz world-wide. Luke McQueen is making his Australian debut with his critically acclaimed Comedian's Comedian – a mischievously funny show, powered by AI at ACMI from 26 March – 19 April. Sam Nicoresti, who also took out the Best Comedy Show Award at the Edinburgh Comedy Awards 2025, brings her glistening diamond hour of stand-up about love, insanity and the hunt for the perfect skirt suit, Baby Doomer, to the Festival from 26 March – 19 April at The Westin.
Also nominated in the Best Show category is two-time Edinburgh Comedy Award nominee, Ian Smith (UK), for his show Foot Spa Half Empty. Ian Smith makes his Australian solo debut with this critically acclaimed new show about stress, love and buying a magic spell off Amazon, from 26 March – 19 April at The Westin.
Christopher Macarthur-Boyd (UK) is recognised in the Best Headliner category. A unique storyteller and world-class observational comedian, you can catch Christopher alongside Sharon Wanjohi (UK) (Nominee Chortle Best Newcomer Award 2025) and Thor Stenhaug (Norway/UK) (Nominee Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award 2025) in line-up show New Order from 26 March – 19 April at Melbourne Town Hall.
Festival fave Carl Donnelly (UK) is also recognised in the Best Headliner category. You can catch Carl at this year's Festival presenting The Fun Haus, a massive line-up show at Spiegel Haus Melbourne from 26 March – 16 April.
Public voting is now open, with polls closing at midnight on 1 March. Winners will be announced at a ceremony at the Comedy Store in London on 17 March. Vote now, and make sure you see them at Melbourne International Comedy Festival! Book now!
