Just for Laughs (in French Juste Pour Rire) is a comedy festival held each July in Montreal, Quebec. It is the largest festival of its kind in the world. It began in 1983 as a Francophone event and introduced its Anglophone side in 1985. The month-long schedule showcases French speaking comics during the first half, and English speakers in the second half. International and non-verbal acts (acrobats, pantomimes, etc.) are scattered throughout the program.
Each day, street performers, "New Vaudevillians" and other acts both vocal and visual perform throughout the city, particularly in the "Latin Quarter" -- an area known for its theaters, cafés and boutique shopping. In the evenings, the nightclubs and live venue theaters offer special programs supporting the performers. Although Juste Pour Rire attracts spectators from around the world, many of those in the audience are talent scouts, booking agents, producers and managers from the entertainment industry. Performing at the festival is one of the biggest opportunities for undiscovered talent to showcase their act in front of industry professionals.
Established comedians from around the world also gather at Just for Laughs. For example, Tim Allen, Jerry Seinfeld, Jon Stewart, Jason Alexander, Russell Peters, Bill Hicks, Bill Cosby, Ray Romano, John Cleese, Adam Hills, Dame Edna Everidge, Jimeoin, Billy Connelly, Colin Mochrie, Brad Sherwood, Flight of the Conchords, The Umbilical Brothers and even Jerry Springer, (spoofing both his own show and the Quebec Separtist debates) have all attended the festival. The casts of The Simpsons, Everybody Loves Raymond and Family Guy have also made appearances, as well as writers from the Sex and the City TV series. Many of the famous names are brought into town to host the gala evening events as well as headline showcase performances.
The Just for Laughs festival also has the Comedia comedy film festival component, which started in 1996. It gives awards for feature and short films. 2005, Comedia screened 125 short films from around the world as well as several feature length films.
In February of 1994 the festival sponsored a splinter project in Hollywood, Florida. That coastal area is a favourite winter destination for Quebecers who head south to vacation in the warmer weather. The event, Juste Pour Rires - En Vacances (Just For Laughs - On Vacation), was held in the Young Circle Park, an outdoor venue with an urban park setting. Talent included David Brenner, Dom Irrera and The Quiddlers.
In July 2007, Just For Laughs celebrated its 25th edition, launching a festival in Toronto, Ontario.
