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Visual Comedy Award

The original award was created by Slapstick Festival and Aardman Animations in 2007. The “Aardman Slapstick Visual Comedy Award”, has been developed to champion and recognise the greatest visual comedians of our time. Celebrating their outstanding work and significant contribution to the world of visual comedy, it has become an annual feature of the festival, giving new and existing audiences the opportunity to learn about, be inspired by, and celebrate the best in the business.

The inaugural award was presented to the great Eric Sykes CBE. This first Visual Comedy Award set the standard for those that followed, and each year the recipients have been inspiring!

2024:  Terry Gilliam

For “outstanding contribution” to visual comedy.

Cited works include: Monty Python and the Holy Grail & Time Bandits

2016:  Michael Crawford

For “outstanding contribution” to visual comedy.

Cited works include: Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em

2015:  Vic Reeves & Bob Mortimer

For “outstanding contribution” to visual comedy.

Cited works include: Reeves & Mortimer and Shooting Stars

2012:  Pierre Etaix

For “excellence” in the field of Visual Comedy

Cited work includes Rupture (1961), and Heureux Anniversaire (1962)

2011:  The Goodies

For “outstanding contribution” to the field of visual comedy

Cited work includes The Goodies (1970-1981)

2010: Michael Palin CBE

For “outstanding contribution” to the field of visual comedy

Cited work included A Fish Called Wanda (1988) and Fish Slapping Dance (1971)

2009:  Eric Sykes

For “Excellence” in the field of visual comedy

Cited work included The Plank (1967), and Mr H is Late (1988)