Macao Intl Comedy Festival opens with talent signings in Hengqin

The third Macao International Comedy Festival opened in Hengqin, Guangdong province, on Thursday, with three young Macao performers winning contracts with Mahua Fun Age, one of China's leading comedy brands and a co-organizer of the festival.

Leaders, organizers and trainees pose for a group photo at the opening of the third Macao International Comedy Festival in Hengqin, Guangdong province, April 9, 2026. [Photo courtesy of Mahua Fun Age]

Themed "Laughter as Our Remedy," the festival continues its "one festival, two venues" format, with events held across the Macao Special Administrative Region and Hengqin.

The opening night featured a signing competition that capped a four-month comedian training program. Twenty students from the training program were divided into six groups to perform sketch comedy pieces. Comedy actors Shen Teng, Ma Li, Allen Ai and Chang Yuan attended and served as jurors. Three students — Ng Lai Chan, Lan Tianchen and Ao Ieong Chong Hou — received contract offers from Mahua Fun Age.

Lan also won an industry incubation award, selected by attending industry representatives. A certificate ceremony was held for all 70 students who completed the program.

The training program is organized by the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao Special Administrative Region and Mahua Fun Age. It is designed to help Macao's performing arts industry move beyond live performances into content development and talent cultivation.

The top students made their debut at the festival and will have opportunities to join mainland comedy tours and film and television productions in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area.

The festival runs from April 9 to 12 and also features a comedy showcase, a lakeside immersive show along Nam Van Lake, a gala night, an industry summit and a stand-up season.

Multiple events are being held in the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone in Hengqin, connecting Macao's performers and cultural resources with mainland audiences and opportunities.

The festival is a joint effort by Mahua Fun Age, Damai Entertainment and Macao's cultural affairs bureau, with support from local government departments and enterprises.