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Laughing Lassi

NYC SOUTH ASIAN Comedy Festival 2026 – Terms & Conditions

Effective Date: March 2026
Event Dates: October 16–18, 2026

By submitting your application to perform at the Laughing Lassi Comedy Festival (“Festival”), you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and agree to these Terms & Conditions.

1. Eligibility

  1. Comedians must be 18 years of age or older at the time of submission.
  2. Submissions are open to all comedians. The Festival may give priority to performers of South Asian heritage or those whose material incorporates South Asian experiences, but submission does not guarantee selection.
  3. Only stand-up comedy is eligible. Submissions for sketch, improv, storytelling, or character-based acts will not be considered.
  4. The Festival reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to decline any submission for any reason.

2. Submission Fee

  1. A $23 early submission, or $35 late submission, non-refundable fee is required per submission.
  2. This fee includes all processing costs and applicable taxes.
  3. Payment must be completed via the official submission form; cash or alternative payment methods are not accepted.
  4. Submissions will not be reviewed until payment is successfully processed.

3. Selection Process

  1. Festival performers will be selected by the Laughing Lassi Programming Team.
  2. Selection is competitive and subjective; submitting does not guarantee acceptance.
  3. Selected performers will be notified via email and must confirm participation within the specified timeframe.
  4. The Festival reserves the right to modify the lineup, schedule, or show format at any time.

4. Content & Intellectual Property

  1. Ownership: Performers retain full ownership and copyright of all submitted material and performances. Nothing in these Terms transfers ownership of your material to the Festival.
  2. Promotional License: By submitting and performing, performers grant the Festival a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to:
    • Record, photograph, and stream performances
    • Post clips, images, or highlights on social media, the Festival website, or other Festival promotional channels
    • Use recordings for marketing, publicity, or archival purposes
  3. Limitations on Use: This license does not grant the Festival the right to sell, license, or otherwise commercially exploit your material outside of Festival promotion without a separate written agreement.
  4. Performer Representations: Performers represent and warrant that:
    • All submitted material is original and created by them
    • Material does not infringe any copyrights, trademarks, or other third-party rights
    • Material is not defamatory, obscene, or illegal
  5. Festival Rights to Edit or Curate: The Festival may make minor edits or trims to recordings for promotional or legal purposes but may not alter the content in a way that misrepresents the performer’s work.

5. Performance Requirements

  1. Performers must arrive on time and perform the act as submitted.
  2. Performers are responsible for all props, costumes, equipment, travel, and lodging.
  3. Performances are unpaid, unless explicitly stated otherwise in writing.
  4. The Festival may request minor edits to content for legal, safety, or venue policy compliance.

6. Code of Conduct

  1. Performers must act professionally and respectfully toward staff, fellow performers, and audience members.
  2. Harassment, discrimination, or illegal conduct will result in immediate disqualification or removal.
  3. Laughing Lassi reserves the right to refuse participation or remove performers for violations of this code.

7. Liability & Indemnification

  1. Performers participate at their own risk. The Festival, its organizers, sponsors, and venue shall not be liable for injury, property loss, or damage of any kind.
  2. Performers agree to indemnify and hold harmless Laughing Lassi, its affiliates, employees, contractors, and venue partners from any claims, losses, or damages arising from participation.
  3. Performers are solely responsible for obtaining any necessary insurance.

8. Privacy

  1. Personal information collected during submission will be used solely for Festival-related communication.
  2. Information will not be shared with third parties without consent, except as required by law or contract.
  3. Selected performers’ bios, images, video, and audio recordings may be used for Festival promotion across any media.

9. Refunds & Cancellation

  1. Submission fees are strictly non-refundable.
  2. In the unlikely event of Festival cancellation, organizers may offer rescheduling, credit toward a future event, or other remedy at their discretion.
  3. The Festival may cancel, postpone, or modify events due to circumstances beyond its control, including but not limited to acts of God, government orders, public health emergencies, or venue issues.

10. Governing Law & Dispute Resolution

  1. These Terms & Conditions are governed by the laws of the State of New York, USA.
  2. Any dispute arising from or relating to these Terms or the Festival shall be resolved in the courts of New York County, New York.

11. Acknowledgment & Agreement

By submitting your application and paying the submission fee, you acknowledge that you have:

  • Read and understood these Terms & Conditions
  • Agreed to comply with all Festival rules and requirements
  • Accepted that performances are unpaid and travel/lodging are your responsibility
  • Granted the Festival the rights described above for marketing and promotion