Montreal's Just for Laughs makes play for bigger stage
Festival plans expansion to U.S., Middle East, Australia
Montreal's popular Just For Laughs Festival has an ambitious expansion plan that could take it to the U.S., the Middle East and Australia.
With $10 million of investment from the Quebec Federation of Labour's Solidarity Fund, the festival plans to go international with its successful standup comedy format.
"Quebec is our home, it's where we're headquartered and where we have our biggest fans," festival founder Gilbert Rozon said Monday in a release.
"But our success abroad, particularly in France and the United Kingdom, has encouraged us to focus more on exporting our know-how and adding an international dimension to the Just For Laughs name."
Just For Laughs has already taken its large-scale comedy shows to Toronto and Nantes, France. The next step will be an expansion to Chicago, but no date was given.
Forum for local talent
The plan is to create a series of festivals, providing a forum for local talent, in cities in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and Australia.
The company Gestion Juste pour rire already produces the Just For Laughs television show, has about 30 road shows and takes part in Edinburgh and Montreux festivals.
The company has offices in Paris, London and Los Angeles and employs more than 200 people.
Funding from the Solidarity Fund will help Just For Laughs market its brand overseas, Rozon said.
Another Quebec entertainment powerhouse, Cirque du soleil, has already shown the way with ambitious expansion to the U.S., Japan and the Middle East.