The five comedians vying for the 2024 Billy T Award have been revealed.
Among the nominees are The Project NZ writer Lana Walters who is up for the award for a second time after first being nominated in 2021.
The five acts were selected from 14 who performed at a New Zealand Comedy Trust showcase event at Te Pou Theatre in west Auckland on Saturday night.
However, it won't be until next year that the public will get to see the nominated shows. The comedians will perform at next year’s NZ International Comedy Festival, with the winner being decided at the Last Laughs event on May 26.
Previous winners of the yellow towel include Rose Matafeo, Taika Waititi & Jemaine Clement, Dai Henwood, Justine Smith and Kura Forrester.
The award celebrates the memory and achievements of Billy T James, who changed the face of comedy in Aotearoa.
The 2024 Billy T Award nominees:
- Advait Kirtikar
- Lana Walters
- Liv McKenzie
- Rhiannon McCall
- Tough Tiger Fist