JFL NorthWest, Vancouver's Comedy Festival, Ends on a High Note

Vancouver, BC - NorthWest Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs are proud to celebrate the success of their inaugural comedy festival, JFL NorthWest, which took place February 18-27. Over 22,000 fans attended the 10-day festival, which featured more than 60 performances at 16 venues across Vancouver. In addition, audiences world-wide were able to catch a glimpse of the festival and some of their favourite comedians via Periscope.

"Vancouver was treated to great comedic acts, big headliners, and even bigger laughs at this year's festival," says JFL NorthWest Director, Heather Wallace. "Vancouver is traditionally a hot spot for comedy and our new partnership with Just For Laughs has just raised the bar. We can't wait to get started on next year's lineup!"

Just For Laughs Chief Operating Officer, Bruce Hills adds, "We couldn't be more proud of our inaugural festival and partnership in Vancouver! From sold out performances from the likes of Bill Burr, David Cross and Trevor Noah to seeing Vancouver comedy fans pack venues across the city for 10 days of comedy - we can't wait to do it all again in 2017."

The inaugural festival lineup included Bill Burr, Trevor Noah, Wanda Sykes, Lewis Black, David Cross, Miranda Sings, Jeremy Hotz, Margaret Cho, Janeane Garofalo, Ron Funches, Todd Barry, Kyle Kinane, Hasan Minhaj, Nick Thune, Tim Meadows, Michael Che, Eddie Pepitone, Wes Barker: Stunt Magician, This Is That Live, Bert Kreischer, Hari Kondabolu, Ari Shaffir, Everything Is Terrible!, SiriusXM Top Comic Showcase, and The Nasty Show with Big Jay Oakerson, Kurt Metzger, Kathleen McGee and Tony Hinchcliffe. JFL NorthWest also celebrated the best in local talent with the Best of the West Series, presented by SiriusXM, and The Comedy Film Series, presented with VIFF.

JFL NorthWest welcomed its partners SiriusXM Canada, SLEEMAN BREWERIES, Hopping Mad Cider, beVancouver, and DVBIA to the inaugural event.

Highlights of JFL NorthWest 2016 can be viewed on the following platforms: Online at www.JFLNorthWest.com; on Twitter: www.twitter.com/JFLNorthWest (#JFLNW); on Instagram: www.instagram.com/JFLNorthWest; and oFacebook: www.facebook.com/JFLNorthWest.

NorthWest Comedy Fest and Just For Laughs have joined forces to present JFL NorthWest, Vancouver's comedy festival presenting some of the best in stand-up, sketch, and improv. The inaugural 2016 festival takes place February 18 to 27 at multiple venues across Vancouver and includes ten glorious days of hilarity and laughter in the middle of winter. Founded in 1983, the Just For Laughs Group has had but one goal in its 30-plus years of operation: Make People Happy. To achieve this goal, the Just For Laughs Group has focused on four major products: Festivals in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver and Sydney; television production including "Gags" seen in over 130 countries and on over 75 airlines and stand-up specials; live shows, such as Canadian tour dates for Jerry Seinfeld, Louis C.K., Jim Gaffigan and the Just For Laughs Comedy Tour; and talent management.