The COFILMIC festival arrives at Manchester’s Comedy Store on the 29th and 30th October and it promises to be quite the comedy gala. It will feature a whole host of sitcoms, short comedy films and sketches with the final night climaxing with the COFILMIC award ceremony which will offer unique industry driven prizes to the victors.

The festival’s jam packed programme of events has now been finalised and both comedy fans and aspiring writers and directors will find plenty to feast their eyes and ears upon.

Across both days there will be various talks and events involving a range of expert panelists.

These include:

Writing and Selling TV Comedy : An exclusive opportunity to hear Jason Cook, local comedian and writer, talk about his amazing experience in writing and selling his first sitcom, Hebburn – due to be aired on BBC2 in October and starring Vic Reeves. He will be in discussion with Matt Tiller from Channel X, who co-produced the show.

The Future of Comedy Feature Films :  Some of the freshest new talent in comedy feature films share their views on the current state of the British independent film market and its attitude towards comedy. Featuring clips from British comedy drama Black Pond. The panel will include Andy Riley, writer of Black Books, Little Britain, Hyperdrive and Gnomeo & Juliet and Black Pond writers Will Sharpe and Tom Kingsley.

Local Talent Spotlight : A screening of Photoshopping, directed by local director Mark Davenport and starring Joan Kempson (Early Doors and Coronation Street) and Fern Britton (of morning TV fame), followed by a chance to speak to both Davenport and Kempson in a Q+A session.

Digital Comedy Content – Live Pitch Event! : Six, pre-selected, digital comedy pitches will be presented live to a panel of industry experts. Hear the pitches, and the feedback and see who is selected for a face to face meeting with The Digital Fiction Factory at MediaCityUK. The judging panel will include the likes of Will Saunders, executive producer of BBC Comedy Online.

Sketch Writing Competition : The best of  Sketch in the City scripts, performed live to a judging panel, including live comedy and an audience vote. The panel includes the likes of Sarah Farrell, director of content at Comedy Central and Catherine Higson, producer of Extras and Life’s Too Short and Derek.

Then each evening will be given over to the festival’s Film Programme which will showcase the best shortlisted comedy short films, sitcom pilots and comedy sketches. There will also be several top live comedy acts thrown in for good measure. The final night will also feature the COFILMIC awards ceremony where a host of prizes must be won.

Admission for the daytime events is either £3 or free and the evening film programmes are £8 or £6 for concessions. A full festival pass which allows access to all events is also available for £15.

For more information visit the COFILMIC website : http://www.cofilmic.co.uk/2012-programme-and-events/