Internationales Köln Comedy Festival
The annual Cologne comedy festival culminates in a televised gala at which the Deutscher Comedypreis, Germany's best-known comedy award, is presented.
The event has carried the word "International" in its name since 1993. In April 2000, the company Brainpool acquired a majority stake in the festival.
Source: Wikipedia
At a Glance
- Type
- annual comedy event series with changing performers
- Location
- Cologne, Altstadt-Nord district (Innenstadt borough)
- Festival launch
- 1991 as "Köln Comedy Festival"
- Televised closing gala
- since 1992
- Award
- Deutscher Comedypreis (since 1997)
- Venues
- various stages across the city
The festival's closing TV gala has existed since 1992 and was first broadcast by Premiere and WDR, before RTL took it over in 1997 – the same year the German Comedy Award was first presented.
The Televised Gala
Each edition of the festival ends with a comedy gala. In the early years it was broadcast by Premiere and WDR; since 1997, RTL has aired it. Brainpool presents the Deutscher Comedypreis as part of the show.
The Award Categories
Awards go to formats such as best sketch show, best comedy show and best national film comedy, as well as best live comedy. For roles in comedy series, there are separate prizes for best actress and best actor. Best female comedian and best male comedian are likewise honored separately. The field is rounded out by the best newcomer category and an honorary award.
Stages Around the City
The individual events are spread across a wide range of venues. The theaters include the Schauspielhaus Köln, the Volkstheater Millowitsch, the Senftöpfchen-Theater, the Gloria-Theater and the Theater am Tanzbrunnen. Performances also take place at the Kölner Philharmonie and the Lanxess Arena, among others. The Coloneum, the KulturKirche Köln and the Alter Wartesaal are also among the venues.
Formerly: the Köln Comedy Schule
To support up-and-coming comedy talent, the festival had its own Köln Comedy Schule. It existed from 1998 until the end of 2002.
Timeline
- 1991Launched as Köln Comedy Festival
- 1992First television gala closing the festival
- 1993Continued as Internationales Köln Comedy Festival
- 1997RTL begins broadcasting the gala; first Deutscher Comedypreis awarded by Brainpool
- 1998Köln Comedy Schule founded to support new talent
- April 2000Brainpool takes over majority stake
- 2002Köln Comedy Schule ends (end of 2002)
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Auto-generated, last verified: 2026-10-15
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