USC Comedy Festival to Honor Filmmaker Jason Reitman

Film producer and University of Southern California graduate, Jason Reitman, has been announced as the recipient of the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Master of Comedy Award at the upcoming USC Comedy Festival, which will take place from March 28th to the 30th on campus.

The three-day event intends to explore how humor influences the development of mainstream culture and social upheavals. The homage to director Jason Reitman, renowned for movies like “Saturday Night” in 2024, “Up in the Air” from 2009, and “Juno” in 2007, will conclude the event, featuring a live discussion with film historian and critic Leonard Maltin on stage.

2011 marked the debut of the annual USC Comedy Festival, which was simultaneously initiated alongside the formation of the USC Comedy department. The aim of this academic pursuit is to foster comedy as a recognized field of study within higher education. Each festival has taken place every two years since its inception. This year’s edition promises an array of engaging discussions, such as “Can Comedy Be Automated?” (a panel on AI’s role in comedy creation) and panels devoted to writing for late-night TV and podcasts. Notable figures from the entertainment industry like Matt Selman, Jenni Konner, Jamie Loftus, Alena Smith, Madhuri Shekar, Roshan Sethi, Danny Ricker, Josh Halloway, and Andrew DeYoung will be participating in these talks.

The inaugural evening of the festival will end with a sneak peek of the A24’s comedy “Friendship” starring Paul Rudd and Tim Robinson, which premieres on May 9th.

2021’s comedy festival presents a remarkable blend of artists and filmmakers leading the charge in comedy’s progression. With the comedic world constantly changing, we’re excited to delve into the innovative minds driving its transformation, making this a must-attend event filled with contemplation, discovery, and, of course, nonstop amusement. Alex Ago, director of USC Comedy Festival, expressed these sentiments.

The event is organized by both USC Comedy and the USC School of Cinematic Arts, and it’s supported by the university-wide arts and humanities initiative, USC Voices & Visions.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but express my excitement for the USC Comedy Festival. For me, it’s much more than just an event; it’s a beacon where creators and artists unite, exchange ideas, and redefine the comedy industry’s dynamic terrain. Over the years, I’ve come to see humor not merely as amusement, but as a potent instrument for igniting thought-provoking dialogues about our world.

Barnet Kellman, co-director of USC Comedy, beautifully encapsulated this sentiment when he said that this year, the Festival is eager to honor the exceptional work being created currently. We’re thrilled to spotlight the emerging, trailblazing voices that are sculpting the comedy landscape of tomorrow. The Festival isn’t just about laughter; it’s a testament to humor’s profound influence on shaping cultural discourse and catalyzing social transformation.

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2025-03-06 16:23