Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow Award

“Comedy, like drama, is about conflict and Glasgow is my city of conflict… Memories of being cold and warm, in love and heartbroken, crying with laughter and regret.” – Billy Connolly.

The ‘Sir Billy Connolly Spirit of Glasgow’ Award is the only official award given by Glasgow International Comedy Festival (GICF), with the winner announced at the Festival’s Closing Gala event.

The 2023 winner was Janey Godley.

The award aims to celebrate the city of Glasgow and the Glaswegian warmth, resilience and above all sense of humour.

We believe the Spirit of Glasgow to be defined by the following five criteria:

1. Humour – a sense of humour and an ability to take the mick out of ourselves

2. Resilience – being as warm as we are tough

3. Openness – having good patter with everyone and anyone

4. Unapologetic – proud yet unpretentious and uncompromising

5. Depth – conflicting and nuanced, multi-layered and multi-dimensional

Any individual, show, group or collective registered via Eventotron as part of the Festival is eligible, and anyone from anywhere can embody the Spirit of Glasgow – you do not have to be from or live in Glasgow.

As it’s not in keeping with the Spirit of Glasgow to blow your own trumpet, award applications will be via nomination. Any nominations must be written and submitted by a registered show or venues first or second contact on Eventotron. No other criteria other than being part of the festival will be enforced as per the openness of the Spirit of Glasgow. All nominations will be read and scored against the five award criteria by an independent panel of volunteer judges.

Nominations for the 2024 award will open in the new year.

Please ensure you read and familiarise yourself with the Frequently Asked Questions below as well as Award Terms and Conditions prior to submitting a nomination.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Am I eligible to be nominated for the Spirit of Glasgow Award?

A. If you are registered as part of the Glasgow International Comedy Festival via Eventotron, you are eligible to be nominated, and to nominate yourself, an individual, a show, a group or collective.

Q. How do I submit a Spirit of Glasgow Award Nomination?

A. If you are either the first or second named contact of a registered show or venue for the Glasgow International Comedy Festival you will be invited to submit a nomination. If you are an act performing in the festival, you are more than welcome nominate yourself.

Please use the nomination form on the Glasgow International Comedy Festival website and use your Eventotron show/venue code.

Q. When will I be able to submit a nomination?

A. The nomination form will be available here from 11th January 2023 at 12pm and all of those registered via Eventotron will be contacted as soon as it is live.

Q. Can I nominate myself?

A. Yes you can nominate yourself.

Q. How will the nominations be scored?

A. All nominations will be read and scored against the five Spirit of Glasgow Criteria. All nominations will be scored by more than one judge and all scores collated by a Glasgow International Comedy Festival member of staff. All judges will gather to discuss the scored with the conversation transcribed.

Q. Who will be judging the nominations?

A. An independent panel of volunteer judges will be announced in early January

Q. I don’t feel like I/my potential nominee fits under the categories of person/show/group/collective – is there anything I can do?

A. We want the award to be as open as possible to anyone. If you would like to submit a nomination that you don’t feel is represented please get in touch with katie@glasgowcomedyfestival.com to discuss.