ADMISSION & CAMPUS ACCESS:
Admission is free. Reservations are required. Campus access is limited to registered guests and USC students, staff, and faculty with current USC ID.

RSVP at links below.

DESCRIPTION:
Over three days of film, television, and webisode screenings and panel discussions, the seventh USC Comedy Festival will introduce emerging artists, honor comedy legends, and feature high-profile USC alumni working in comedy. 

Friday, March 28

7 p.m.: Can Comedy Be Automated?
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
A spirited debate examining the role AI plays, and might play, in comedy and entertainment, from both a creative and an industry standpoint—current industry trends, labor disputes, writers’ rooms, copyright issues, and more.
Guests: Comedian/writer/actor Jamie Loftus, Dickinson creator/showrunner Alena Smith, The Simpsons writer/executive producer Matt Selman
Moderator: Jesse David Fox, Vulture

9 p.m.: Sneak Preview of A24’s Friendship
Norris Cinema Theatre
Suburban dad Craig falls hard for his charismatic new neighbor, but Craig’s attempts to make an adult male friend threaten to ruin both of their lives.
Guest: Writer/director Andrew DeYoung
Moderator: USC professor J.D. Connor

Saturday, March 29

10 a.m.: Punchlines & Power Moves: Women Showrunners in Comedy
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
This dynamic panel brings together powerhouse showrunners to share their journeys through the world of comedy television. From breaking in to breaking barriers, some of the most influential voices in comedy today will discuss their career experiences, offer guidance on climbing the ranks, and provide insight into navigating the ever-evolving landscape of film and television. Whether you're an aspiring writer, director, or producer, this conversation will deliver invaluable advice, candid stories, and pure inspiration.
Guests: Moesha showrunner/executive producer and The Wonder Years executive producer Jacque Edmonds, Act Your Age creator/showrunner/executive producer Alyson Fouse
Moderator: USC alum Sarah Ivy

12 p.m.: Writing Comedy for Late Night
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
A special event with the late-night staff from Jimmy Kimmel Live! will include his monologue writer Danny Ricker and co-head writer and co-executive producer Josh Halloway, hosted by Wayne Federman, USC professor and former head monologue writer for Jimmy Fallon.
Guests: Kimmel co-head writer/co-executive producer Danny Ricker, Kimmel monologue writer/supervising producer Josh Halloway 
Moderator: USC professor Wayne Federman

2 p.m.: Spotlight on Onyx Collective/Hulu’s Deli Boys
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
When their convenience store-magnate father suddenly dies, a pair of pampered Pakistani American brothers (Asif Ali, Saagar Shaikh) lose everything and are forced to reckon with their Baba’s secret life of crime as they attempt to take up his mantle in the underworld.
Guests: Creator Abdullah Saeed, showrunner/executive producer Michelle Nader, executive producer Jenni Konner
Moderator: USC professor David Isaacs

4 p.m.: Drafthouse FIlms’ Thank You Very Much
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
Andy Kaufman's provocative comedy often outraged audiences, challenging them to confront their own presumptions. Through never-before-seen footage and intimate recollections, filmmaker Alex Braverman explores Kaufman’s brief but impactful life and career. As the lines between performance and reality blur in our present age, Kaufman’s genius resonates more than ever. Winner: Best Documentary on Cinema 2023 Venice Film Festival.
Guest: Director/producer Alex Braverman
Moderator: USC professor Wayne Federman

7 p.m.: Netflix’s Will & Harper
Norris Cinema Theatre
When Will Ferrell's good friend Harper comes out as a trans woman, they take a road trip to bond and reintroduce Harper to the country as her true self.
Guests: Director/producer/USC alum Josh Greenbaum, editor/USC alum Monique Zavistovski
Moderator: USC Comedy Festival executive director Alex Ago

Sunday, March 30

2 p.m.: Podcasting and Beyond: The New Comedy Hustle
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
Podcasts, video podcasts, TikTok, Insta, drop-ins, showcases, tours, specials—there are seemingly more comedy outlets than ever, and the comedy hustle can be more hectic than ever. We’ll discuss the current comedy landscape and how to manage a comedy career in the midst of unprecedented change.
Guest: Co-CEO of All Things Comedy Podcast Network/USC alum Billy Rosenberg
Moderator: USC professor J.D. Connor

4 p.m.: Sneak Preview Screening: A Nice Indian Boy
Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108
When Naveen brings his fiancé Jay home to meet his traditional Indian family, they must contend with accepting his white-orphan-artist boyfriend and helping them plan the Indian wedding of their dreams.
Guests: Director Roshan Sethi, actor/USC alum Karan Soni, playwright/USC alum Madhuri Shekar, composer/USC alum Raashi Kulkarni
Moderator: Emily Roxworthy, Dean of the USC School of Dramatic Arts

7 p.m.: The Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Master of Comedy Lecture Series featuring 2025 Oakie Award Recipient Jason Reitman
Norris Cinema Theatre 
Our annual Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Master of Comedy Award will be presented to Academy Award–nominated writer, director, producer, and USC alum Jason Reitman (Thank You for Smoking, Juno, Up in the Air, Saturday Night), who will join USC School of Cinematic Arts professor Leonard Maltin for a discussion about his career in comedy.
Guest: Jason Reitman
Moderator: USC professor Leonard Maltin

Presented by USC Visions and Voices. Organized by the USC School of Cinematic Arts.