'So You Think You're Funny?' 2014 open for entries

Entry is now open for the 2014 run of the Foster's So You Think You're Funny? stand-up competition. The contest, which is for brand new comedians only, is widely regarded as one of the most prestigious of the UK's new act contests.

If you are 18 or over, new to stand-up comedy (i.e. have not performed regularly before June 2013) and "think you might have a pretty active funny bone", you're encouraged to apply for the competition now.

SYTYF 2014 kicks off this spring with regional heats, and concludes in August at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where the final heats and Grand Final take place.

Aside from the prestige that comes from winning the contest, the best act will receive £5,000 in cash and a trip to Montreal's Just For Laughs Festival.

Now in its 27th year, the roll-call of previous So You Think You're Funny? finalists includes the likes of Peter Kay, Lee Mack, Sarah Millican, Johnny Vegas and Jack Whitehall.

David O'Doherty, who won in 1999, says: "The Final was the biggest gig I had ever done. Peter Kay hosted it and Russell Howard, Jimmy Carr, Andy Zaltzman and Josie Long were in the final. Winning it definitely gave me the confidence to keep writing the sort of stupid crappy jokes and songs I still do today."

This year the Regional Showcases start in May, continuing through to July. At this stage of the selection process the showcases are not a direct competition. Instead the judges select the best acts from the combined showcases and invite them to take part in one of seven heats at the Gilded Balloon venue during the Edinburgh Festival Fringe in August.

The Edinburgh heats are set for the 3rd, 4th, 5th, 10th, 11th, 12th and 13th August 2014. The Final will be held on Thursday 21st August, where the best 9 comics from these seven heats will perform their funniest 7 minutes to industry judges and a full audience in the Gilded Balloon's Debating Hall.

The organisers are encouraging those interested to apply quickly, saying: "Last year the search for the best comedy newcomers went to Bristol, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, Manchester, Glasgow, Inverness, Dublin, Brighton and Nottingham as well as ten comedy clubs in London. There were over 500 applicants for only 70 places in the Edinburgh heats. The demand for places is high, so the sooner the applications are received the better!"

To find out more and download the application form visit www.soyouthinkyourefunny.co.uk