Boom Chicago FAQ Festival Submission

The 1st Annual Boom Chicago Comedy Festival will take place in person from July 26th-August 1st at Boom Chicago on the Rozengracht in Amsterdam.  This event will be for comedy acts from around the globe to get together, have a great time, network, and showcase their talent. 

Although it is an in-person event, we hope to stream many shows. On August 1 there will be a digital-first marathon. We will sell digital tickets for that for a global audience (as well as in-person audience tickets in Amsterdam at Boom Chicago) 

Submissions are open from March 26th through April 23rd. If you have an act that involves long or short-form improv, stand-up, sketch comedy, drag, burlesque – we want you! Our festival is taking on a ‘fringe’ feel, although comedy is front and center. 

We are accepting submissions from all comedians who would like to attend this year’s festival. A committee panel will review and select the successful candidates. All comedians from around the world are invited to submit.

No, although we will have discounted hotel rooms with one of our partners, The Student Hotel. 

Submitting for the festival is as follows; complete a submission form and include a video of 5+ minutes of material in length. It does not have to be from one set, a ‘best of’ highlight reel is just as good. If you have a club recommendation or festival review,  please include it! Once the submission form is completed, you must finalize your entry by paying the modest submission fee on Boom Chicago’s website. There is a link in the submission form.

It depends on what variety of comedy you’re submitting.  Our festival already has themed showcases, so you may want to think where your act or group would fit. Our goal is to include a diversity of programming, styles and performers like a Best of NL Improv Showcase, Expat Comedy Hour, Dutch Stand-Up, LGBTQ Variety Show, etc. Groups and acts we accept will be plugged into these existing showcase themes. Spots will range from 7 to 30 minutes. 

YES, we book a few acts, but they have already been allocated.  Please do not ask for a booked spot. The easiest way to be a part of BCCF is to fill out a submission form.

The festival submission deadline is April 23rd. 

Participation is contingent upon the total number of eligible submissions received. This is our first year so we are also learning what to expect.

Sort of. Performers receive a Performer Pass upon check in. This will let you enter any show with empty seats. We recommend purchasing tickets for the shows and acts you really want to see.  PAID TICKET HOLDERS GET PRIORITY!

There will be an opening night party for performers on Wednesday, April 28 with at least some free drinks. The festival bar will be the social center of the festival attracting improvisers and fans from around the world.

We will offer workshops in writing, improv, stand-up and more throughout the week-long festival. Workshops and intensives will be held each day from July 24-August 1. 

We will also offer a chance to train and perform on a Mixer Team. You will rehearse an improvised format for a full day and then perform it in our Mixer Team showcase.