Latest news with #FredAward
RNZ News
01-06-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
Fast Favourites with Fred Award winner Angella Dravid
Angella Dravid is this year's Fred Award winner for best show at the International Comedy Festival, taking home the iconic gumboot and a prize of 5000 dollars. She's only the third woman to ever win that prize. Her comedy show I'm Happy For You is a dark spin on deeply personal stories, traumatic moments from her life and the concept of being jealous. Angella has also appeared in films and television including BabyDone, The BreakerUpperers, Jono and Ben, Funny Girls and won Taskmaster in 2020. In 2017 she won the Billy T Award and now 8 years later has taken home the Fred. Angella speaks to Culture 101 as the Fast Favourites guest.
Economic Times
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Economic Times
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
Live Events Other winners (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.'With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
Time of India
26-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who are New Zealand's best comedians and laughter queens who swept the Fred Award
New Zealand's premier comedy award, The Fred Award, featured an all-female lineup of finalists for the first time, a landmark moment reflecting the rising prominence of women in Kiwi comedy. Named after John Clarke's iconic character Fred Dagg, this prestigious prize honors the country's top comedic talent and comes with a $5,000 grant from the New Zealand Comedy Trust . Angella Dravid was crowned best in show at the closing gala of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and was awarded The Fred Award. Dravid's winning set, I'm Happy For You, is a darkly funny exploration of traumatic experiences from her own life. She beat fellow finalists Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell, all of whom had previously won the Billy T Award, the festival's prize for emerging comedians . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Elegant New Scooters For Seniors In 2024: The Prices May Surprise You Mobility Scooter | Search Ads Learn More Undo 'This is the first time that three previous winners of the Billy T Award made up the Fred Award nominees,' highlighting the festival's commitment to nurturing fresh voices. Dravid herself won the Billy T in 2017, followed by Bracewell in 2018, and Howells in 2023. This achievement marks only the third time a woman has taken home The Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo, breaking a decade-long streak dominated by male winners. Previous Fred Award recipients include well-known names like Dai Henwood, Chris Parker, and Guy Montgomery. Live Events The Billy T Award this year went to Hoani Hotene for his show It's Getting Hotene, So Tell Me All Your Jokes. Hotene triumphed over nominees including David Stuart, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom, also earning a $5,000 grant. Started in 1997 and inspired by legendary comedian Billy T James, this award celebrates rising talent in New Zealand's vibrant comedy scene. Other winners Other highlights from the festival included Best Newcomer (Auckland) Sean Collier, joint winners Mo Munn and Liv Ward for Best Newcomer (Wellington), and the Festival Director's Choice Award given to Johanna Cosgrove. The Best International category was shared by Australia's Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland. This year's festival felt like a celebration of resilience, fresh perspectives, and a broadening comedic landscape. Dravid's blend of humor and honesty about personal trauma resonated deeply with audiences, reflecting a new era where comedy embraces vulnerability alongside laughter. As festival host and previous Fred winner Eli Matthewson said, the event was a 'powerful reminder that comedy is not just about jokes it's about connecting through shared human experience.' With these breakthroughs, New Zealand's comedy scene looks set to inspire audiences both locally and abroad for years to come.
NZ Herald
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NZ Herald
Angella Dravid wins Fred Award, Hoani Hotene takes Billy T Award
Dravid, who was up against Abby Howells and Melanie Bracewell for the prize, is only the third woman to have won the Fred Award, after Jan Maree and Rose Matafeo. She told the Herald, shortly after winning, that she was not surprised that it was an all-female lineup for the prize. 'I was saying to [Comedy Trust chief executive Lauren Whitney] when she told me, I was like, 'of course it's three women', and they're so good. When I was thinking of who would win the Fred, Abby and Mel were in my list of people who I thought would be in there.' Hotene, who was nominated in September last year, said there was a sense of relief at being at the end of the process. " It's very long, you think about it every day. So part of me... there's the real [feeling of] 'man, that's amazing to win', but also there's a little bit of relief of like, 'oh my God, it's done'. 'I don't think it's sunk in yet.' Dravid and the other Fred nominees were only told on Saturday morning that they were in contention. She compared it to being in labour. 'It feels like this incredible journey event, and it's traumatic as well, because there's a lot of pain, there's a lot of anxiety, 'is it gonna be okay?' 'And then, when I gave birth, I forgot about the pain and everything. And I was just holding a little baby in my arms, and then my life changed. 'And it feels a bit like that, except life hasn't changed. I'm still gonna have financial issues.' The prizes were awarded at Last Laughs, which marks the end of the three-week-long International Comedy Festival. More than 100 shows across Auckland and Wellington took to the stage over the course of the festival. It's a high point on the calendar year for the local comedy industry, which, like many others, has struggled with rising costs in recent years. Dravid said there aren't enough opportunities for people to get on stage, and when there is stage time, not everyone can afford to come out, so the industry feels like it is in a recession. 'But the comedians, I think, are still at the top of their game,' she says. 'I wanted to actually thank the comedians on stage because they're the reason why we're getting good jokes out there, because we're testing them on each other, we're writing together. 'And even though our industry is struggling and getting smaller, the comedians are still upskilling and they're becoming better and better.' Hotene agreed, noting there are 'really good comedians' across the country. Other winners at Last Laughs included James Nokise, who accepted the 2024 Topp Prize, given to a comedian with a unique approach to comedy who has made an impact on audiences and the industry. Johanna Cosgrove won the Festival Director's Choice Award, and Elouise Eftos and Rosco McClelland were joint Best International winners.
Scoop
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
Billy T And Fred Award Winners Announced For The 2025 NZ International Comedy Fest
Press Release – Elephant Publicity After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year's festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential. Last Laughs, a showcase of the best of the best homegrown talent, was hosted by 2021 Fred Award winner Eli Matthewson, with performances from Fred Award finalists – Abby Howells, Angella Dravid, Melanie Bracewell, and the 2025 Billy T Award nominees, David Stuart, Hoani Hotene, Lesa MacLeod-Whiting, Booth the Clown & Jak Darling, and Itay Dom. Started in 1997 and inspired by comedy legend William James Te Wehi Taitoko MBE (Billy T James), The Billy T Award celebrates the growth of fresh talent in the Aotearoa comedy industry. Each year it is awarded to an outstanding emerging performer with a commitment to their comedy career. Hoani Hotene took home the prestigious Yellow Towel for the Billy T Award and a $5,000 cash grant from New Zealand Comedy Trust. The award was presented on stage at SkyCity Theatre by 2024 Billy T Award winner Lana Walters. Named in honour of much-loved comedy icon John Clarke's legendary Kiwi character Fred Dagg, The Fred Award recognises the Comedy Festival's Best Show by a New Zealand comedian. Angella Dravid was named the 2025 Fred Award winner, receiving the iconic Golden Gumboot and a cash grant of $5,000 from the New Zealand Comedy Trust. 2024 Fred Award Winner Barnie Duncan and Chris Parker (standing in as Trygve Wakenshaw) were on stage to hand over the baton to the new Fred recipient. Other award winners this year also 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 James Nokise was also honoured in person in front of his peers with his 2024 Topp Prize by New Zealand Comedy Trust Chief Executive, Lauren Whitney.
