Melbourne International Comedy Festival appoints Dylan Cole as new CEO/Festival Director

The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is pleased to announce the appointment of Dylan Cole as its new Chief Executive Officer & Festival Director, following an extensive international recruitment process.

A respected arts leader and a key member of the Festival’s executive leadership team for the past two years, Dylan will lead Australia's largest comedy festival into its fifth decade, building on its extraordinary legacy while shaping its next chapter of artistic and organisational growth.

Melbourne International Comedy Festival Chair Bill Shannon said Dylan's appointment reflected both his deep understanding of the organisation and his compelling vision for its future.

“Dylan emerged from a highly competitive field as the outstanding candidate to lead the Festival into its next era. He understands what makes this Festival so special, but equally, he has a clear vision for how it can continue to evolve, grow and remain relevant for artists and audiences.”

“We are well aware of the need to embrace change and Dylan’s combination of strategic thinking, commercial acumen and genuine passion for the arts, together with his collaborative leadership style, gives the Board great confidence in the Festival's future.”

Dylan brings a unique perspective to the role, having experienced the Melbourne International Comedy Festival from almost every angle. He began his comedy career as an artist through the Festival's acclaimed Class Clowns and RAW Comedy development programs and performing and producing work at 13 Melbourne International Comedy Festivals and 29 festivals around the world.

Alongside his artistic career, Dylan has an extensive background in arts leadership and cultural management, working across front of house, ticketing, event management and commercial programming at Arts Centre Melbourne before joining the Festival as Executive Director in 2024. Over the past two years, he has played a significant role in strengthening the organisation and helping to deliver two of the most successful Festivals in its history.

As CEO & Festival Director, Cole will oversee all aspects of the Festival's artistic, strategic and commercial direction, ensuring it continues to support artists and delight audiences while reinforcing its position as the world's largest dedicated comedy festival.

Dylan Cole said, “The Melbourne International Comedy Festival is one of Australia’s great cultural success stories. I’m incredibly proud to have the opportunity to lead this Festival alongside an exceptional team. We have a responsibility to honour the remarkable foundations laid over the past 40 years while boldly shaping what comes next: creating new opportunities for artists, delivering unforgettable experiences for audiences, and ensuring the Festival continues to bring people together through laughter for generations to come.”

Susan Provan said, “From our Class Clowns program to CEO is an incredible trajectory and we all wish Dylan every success in one of the best jobs in Australian showbiz”.

Founded in 1987, the Melbourne International Comedy Festival has grown from a grassroots celebration of local talent into one of the world's leading comedy festivals. In 2026, the Festival celebrated its landmark 40th anniversary with one of the strongest results in its history, welcoming a record 796,975 attendees across 9,164 performances from an expansive program of 803 shows and events. The Festival delivered a record $26.6 million at the box office, while expanding access through 124 free performances and maintaining an affordable average ticket price of just $38.20. Hundreds of successful comedians have launched their careers at the Festival, and it continues to nurture the next generation of comedy through its acclaimed development programs, including Class Clowns, RAW Comedy and Deadly Funny.

Cole will commence as CEO and Festival Director in the first week of August, with Susan Provan AO, the outgoing Festival Director and CEO, remaining through to her planned departure in early September to ensure a smooth transition.