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Let’s hear it for the girls with Amnesty’s search for new Brit talent

Let’s hear it for the girls with Amnesty’s search for new Brit talent 3

How do you fancy being the only British female comic alongside Russell Brand Jon Stewart, Stephen Colbert, Reggie Watts and Sarah Silverman? Here’s our chance to bring some girl power to a comedy institution.

Amnesty International is offering an aspiring British comedian the chance to perform the gig of their life at this year’s Secret Policeman’s Ball which takes place at the iconic Radio City Music Hall in New York City on Sunday 4^th March. The new competition to win ‘The World’s Shortest Gig’ is being launched by Amnesty International and will give an up-and-coming comic a place on the bill at the biggest comedy show in the world – he or she just needs to be very funny for 15 seconds.

So, let’s hear it for the girls and if you are an aspiring UK female comic who thinks you’ve got what it takes to appear alongside the stellar line-up, upload a clip of your funniest 15 seconds to the Secret Policeman’s Ball Facebook page. The winner will find themselves in front of over 5000 comedy fans in New York on 4^th March.

The entries will be shortlisted by a panel, which is chaired by author and journalist Caitlin Moran, alongside comedian Peter Serafinowicz who will be appearing in the show, actor and writer Simon Bird, Andi Osho who won the Funny Women Awards in 2007, 11-time Emmy Award winning writer of The Daily Show David ‘DJ’ Javerbaum, who is head writer at this year’s Secret Policeman’s Ball, and Amnesty International’s Maggie Paterson. The public will then be asked to vote for the ultimate winner HERE.

Chair of the panel and Twitterati royalty, Caitlin Moran, said: “It’s a fantastic prize and I’m looking forward to watching the next generation of British comedians. Be it stand-up, sketch or mime, if they’re funny in 15 seconds they’ll get my vote.”

The other female judge Andi Osho has become one of our leading female comedy names since she swept to victory in the 2007 Funny Women Awards, so is well placed to spot new talent. She was also recently voted the funniest woman in the Loaded LAFTA awards. Andi will know a funny woman when she sees one!

The competition is open to entries NOW until 3.00pm on Monday 20^th February. Once the submissions are shortlisted by the panel, it will be up to the general public to vote for the eventual winner. Voting will open from 23^rd until 27^th February.

To find out more visit the Secret Policeman’s Ball Facebook page where you can upload your entry, see the latest entries and vote on the final shortlist, and follow the Secret Policeman on Twitter HERE to keep up to date with news.