New Zealand's best comedians named at festival awards
For the first time, all three finalists for The Fred Award were women, all of whom had bagged the Billy T prize for emerging talent previously.
Three female finalists stood on the podium for the first time at this year's International Comedy Festival, where Angella Dravid was crowned best in show and given The Fred Award.
Named in honour of John Clarke’s legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, the prize recognises the top NZ talent at the month-long festival, and earned Dravid a $5000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust.
Dravid's set, I'm Happy For You, a darkly funny take on some of the traumatic events in her life, beat Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell for this year's award, handed out at Auckland's SkyCity Theatre, wrapping up the festival with the Last Laughs showcase, hosted by previous Fred winner, Eli Matthewson.
Comedian Angella Dravid is the winner of the 2025 Fred Award.
Jinki Cambronero
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It's the third time a woman has won The Fred Award after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo. Other previous winners include two-time winner Dai Henwood, Chris Parker and Guy Montgomery.
It was also the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award, awarded to the best up-and-coming comedian in the festival, made up the Fred Award nominees.
Dravid won the award in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells won in 2023. They join six other female winners of the prize, which went a decade without being awarded to a female comedian.
This year's Billy T Award went home with Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes.
Started in 1997, inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), the award celebrates growth of fresh talent in the local industry.
Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust.
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Hotene beat nominees, David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom to take home the prize which also comes with a $5000 cash grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust.
Other award winners include:
Best Newcomer (Auckland): Sean Collier with Write-Off
Best Newcomer (Wellington - Joint Winners): Mo Munn with Is It Off? and Liv Ward with EPIC WAY! I'm Gay? Oui oui faguette™ I LOVE KIM HILL (1999 version)
Festival Director’s Choice Award: Johanna Cosgrove with SWEETIE
Best International (Joint Winners): Elouise Eftos with Australia's First Attractive Comedian and Rosco McClelland with Sudden Death
