This TFL programme is a truly unique concept that brings together talented directors/screenwriters with projects and writers/performers without projects to create a fusion of expertise and comedic brilliance. After receiving 112 applications from 44 countries worldwide, we're finally ready to introduce the talented participants joining this year-long programme.
The professionals kicked things off in early March with the preliminary workshop here in Turin. Next up, they'll have two in-person workshops (Brussels in two weeks and Berlin in June), followed by two online sessions in September and late October/early November, leading up to the grand finale: our co-production market, the TFL Meeting Event in November.
Because you never change a winning team, returning to guide them on this adventure are Alec Von Bargen (USA) as Head of Studies, pedagogical consultant Savina Neirotti (Italy), French script consultants and TFL alumni Philippe Barrière and Laura Piani, and Thomas Pibarot, who will assist the class in identifying the commercial potential of their films.
Let’s meet the 10 professionals, six women and four men, from Belgium, Canada, Germany, Indonesia, Netherlands, United Kingdom and Spain.
THE COMEDYLAB PROJECTS:
A SUMMER TALE – writer/director Berthold Wahjudi (Germany/Indonesia)
Set in a German suburb against the backdrop of the 2006 World Cup, SOMMERMÄRCHEN tells a parallel story, about Siegfried, a 13 year old mixed-raced German-Indonesian kid, who needs to defend his social status as the class clown against a new Chinese class mate and his Indonesian father Jojok, a 50-year old Indonesian man, who reconnects with a former lover back home and has to question all his life choices that led to his emigration to Germany.
FRUITS & NUTS – writer/director Frédérique de Montblanc (Belgium/United Kingdom)
When his son Edgar suffers an eco-anxiety attack in the middle of a science class, Noah, a hyper-invested househusband, vows to save him. But whether he takes him on a deep ecology retreat, unschools him to learn from the forest or starts a vegetable patch with him, Edgar systematically relapses. By trying to solve his son's problems, Noah will be forced to confront his own. Faced with his career-minded wife Soraya, Noah feels less and less respected and has to rebuild his self-confidence. Driven by his son's unhappiness, he will discover that another way is possible, and that it may well bring relief to everyone.
HOW TO BECOME A TROPHY WIFE IN 10 DAYS – writer/director Julia Penner (Germany)
Trophywife Erika (48, but looks like she's in her mid-30s with her highly backcombed blonde hair), the wife of a rich but now imprisoned real estate agent Robert (79), teaches - out of a financial necessity - a group of different women, how to get yourself a millionaire.
THE FLOWERS – writer/director Francesca Català Margarit (Spain), co-writer and director Àlex Maruny (Spain)
Joan, a struggling actor who moves back home and works at his sister’s flower shop, where family drama is always blooming. One day, he finds a strange note in a returned bouquet. What starts as a small mystery, quickly turns into a big crime plot involving real estate corruption—and of course, his family makes everything worse in their own hilarious way.
WRITERS & PERFORMERS:
Martine Bakker (Netherlands)
Martine is a writer and comedian from Amsterdam. She wrote books, theatre shows and many satirical articles. She is currently learning more about universal humour and scriptwriting, so she can make her wish of writing films and series come true.
Laura Fincias Marin (Spain)
Laura is a stand-up comedian, comedy writer and producer, working as a researcher in the psychology field. She started her comedy career in 2021, with a scientific monologue about procrastination. Since then, she has been performing stand-up across Europe in Spanish, Catalan and English.
Mark Harris (Canada)
Mark is a songwriter turned comedian from Toronto (Canada). Based in Paris, he has developed a two man musical with a pianist friend about vegans and cannibals. He has an extensive history of roaming around performing anywhere someone will host him. He has also founded an artist residency dedicated to the performing arts in Sicily.
Rosie McKaig (United Kingdom)
Rosie is an improviser, sketch and character comedian from London. She has performed as part of the all-female improv team Slumber Party for three years. Their sold-out show at Prague Fringe in May was a big highlight. Her character act, that she has performed for two years all over London, is Marta Loren, Sophia Loren’s fictional sister. Her most memorable Marta gig was at The Groucho Club on the Funny Women line up this year. Marta did her first gig at the legendary Moth Club in February 2025.
Ryan Walker-Edwards (United Kingdom)
Ryan, of Jamaican descent from Birmingham, explores class, sexuality, and race relations within Afro- Caribbean communities through comedy. He was part of the inaugural Sky Comedy Rep Festival with his play Boys Who F**k and Cry. His short story Safari won an award at the UK Radio Drama Festival. In 2022, he won the DYSPLA Story-Makers residency with MAN>CODE, which has screened at major festivals, including the Chicago International Film Festival and BFI Flare. Recently commissioned by Hat Trick and nominated for an Royal Television Award.
Read the dedicated article on Screen International.
ComedyLab is organised by TorinoFilmLab – Museo Nazionale del Cinema with the support of Creative Europe - MEDIA sub-programme of the European Union. ComedyLab 2025 is realised in partnership with CCA – Centre du Cinéma et de l’audiovisuel and Der Divan - Das Arabische Kulturhaus; and in collaboration with Festival CineComedies and Torino Fringe Festival. Media partner Cinecittà News.