Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Awards

The West Mids' biggest comedy prize returns. A hand-picked selection of the very best emerging acts from across the region compete for the prestigious annual title. Battling it out for the award will be five fantastic acts - line-up to be announced soon. With Special Guest and James Cook (MC). ABOUT THE BIRMINGHAM COMEDY FESTIVAL BREAKING TALENT AWARD A collaboration between the comedy festival and The Glee Club Birmingham, the Birmingham Comedy Festival Breaking Talent Award debuted in 2014. Designed specifically to elevate, support and celebrate comedy talent from the region, participation in the award is by invitation-only - with shortlisted acts nominated by comedians, promoters and comedy professionals from the area.  The award's traditional trophy is 'The Mug Of Victory.'  Previous Breaking Talent winners include Josh Pugh (English Comedian Of The Year, Live At The Apollo, Stepping Up), Celya AB (Chortle Best Newcomer 2022, BBC Comedy Award 2021 Finalist, The Guilty Feminist, Live At The Apollo), Hasan Al-Habib (nominated for Leicester Comedy Festival Awards Best Debut Show 2025, BBC's Pilgrimage) and Tom Towelling (Channel 4 Sean Lock Comedy Award Winner 2025). 2026's award was won by Ryan S Lewis.