The CANADIAN COMEDY AWARDS & FESTIVAL arrives in London October 27th with more than 120 artists performing in a variety of events over four days

The Canadian Comedy Awards salutes the best in 19 categories from film, television and stage with a record number of nominations submitted this year by members of ACTRA, Equity, Writers, Casting and Directors Guilds plus comedy club owners, agents and producers. The top five nominees in each live category are invited to perform plus there are film screenings, workshops, lectures and industry events during festival week.

"This forum provides an unequalled opportunity for Canadian talent to be recognized and to receive the profile it deserves" enthuses Brent Haynes of The Comedy Network who returns as Title Sponsor of the Awards in 2004. "Certainly there is no better platform for promoting the outstanding caliber of raw talent this country produces and we're thrilled to be a part of the process".

The Canadian Comedy Awards moved from a three-year-old industry evening in Toronto when they merged with London's new Canadian Comedy Festival last year. The inaugural festival was highly regarded and achieved significant support from the entertainment industry including title sponsor The Comedy Network and participation from CBC, The Second City, Yuk Yuks Comedy Clubs, Humber College Comedy School to name a few. "The City of London has made a commitment and will make every effort for this to grow into one of the finest cultural festivals in Canada and one of the best comedy festivals in the world", advises Tourism London General Manager John Winston. "We are delighted to work with the Canadian Comedy Awards and know that it is the perfect compliment to the full festival format that we are creating".

More than 6,000 people are expected to attend a variety of events including stand-up, sketch, improv, one-person shows plus films, workshops, lectures and a celebrity hockey tournament with the Jokers and NHL players. Tickets go on sale Friday September 3rd and full program details are available at www.canadiancomedyawards.ca.