Best Newcomer Award Nominations | Melbourne International Comedy Festival

Congratulations to our 2025 Best Newcomer Award nominees! Anisa Nandaula – You Can't Say That; Ethan Cavanagh – Bond, Lost My Bond; Jessica Barton – Dirty Work; Kura Forrester (NZ) – Here if you Need; Meg Jäger – Renaissance Woman; Rapha Manajem – The Salmon Was Good; and Robyn Reynolds – What Doesn't Kill You.

The Best Newcomer Award is given to a solo performer or group of performers from Australia of New Zealand doing their first Festival show.

You Can't Say That Image

Anisa Nandaula

You Can't Say That

27 Mar - 20 Apr 24 shows

Bond, Lost My Bond Image

Ethan Cavanagh

Bond, Lost My Bond

08 Apr - 20 Apr 12 shows

Dirty Work Image

Jessica Barton

Dirty Work

25 Mar - 06 Apr 12 shows

Here if you Need Image

Kura Forrester

Here if you Need

29 Mar - 19 Apr 18 shows

Renaissance Woman Image

Meg Jäger

Renaissance Woman

27 Mar - 20 Apr 22 shows

The Salmon Was Good Image

Rapha Manajem

The Salmon Was Good

09 Apr - 20 Apr 11 shows

What Doesn't Kill You Image

Robyn Reynolds

What Doesn't Kill You

08 Apr - 20 Apr 12 shows

Melbourne International Comedy Festival acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands upon which we work and live. We acknowledge the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples' spirit, imagination and rich history of storytelling and humour that is an inspiration to all Australians.

We accept the invitation to walk together with First Nations people towards a more positive future for Australia, as described in the Uluru Statement From The Heart.