Pigeon Laughs is screening comedy short films from around the world in a city that loves a good time
“WELSH people love to laugh out loud,” says the organiser of a short comedy film festival returning to Cardiff this weekend.
“The Welsh comedy scene is loud because I think Welsh people love to have a good time and they love to laugh out loud.
“The true Welsh grittiness comes from speaking your mind and saying what’s in your heart,” said José Pedro Fortuna, organiser of Pigeon Laughs Short Comedy Film Festival.
He created the festival’s Made in Wales category to respond to a huge demand from audiences to see Welsh cultural identity being celebrated by Welsh and Wales-based performers and film-makers.
Now in its third year, Mr Fortuna said that the festival adds to Cardiff’s flourishing comedy scene.
“There is definitely a distinct comedy scene in Cardiff, he said.
“There are lots of pockets for small independent comedy events happening and that’s what makes the scene.”
‘When comedy is also touching it adds another layer’
From the silly to the light-hearted, and shorts that tackle loneliness, festival goers will experience a range of films that are testament to the “big spectrum of comedy,” said the former professional magician.
“Comedy can be expressed in so many different genres. When comedy can be not just funny, but also touching, I think it adds a layer that can be quite captivating.
“I compare it to music. There’s certain styles of music that people will love and naturally gravitate towards and there’s other styles they’re not interested in, he added.
This year’s line-up includes a parody of All Quiet on the Western Front made using eggs, and a story about Welsh couple who hate each other, being forced to have a baby as part of a government programme.
“There are so many things that sometimes get overlooked in comedy because, it can be very difficult. It’s tricky because it can involve very little or a lot,” said Mr Fortuna.
“To make really good nuanced comedy, it can take things like editing, filmography – they all play an important role when it comes to making a good comedy short,” he added.
Alongside the Made in Wales award, other categories include best performance, props, costume and animation.
This year’s festival received its highest number of applicants with more than 100 submissions from over 10 countries including Canada, India and Australia.
Organised by Mr Fortuna’s production company, Pigeon Talk Comedy, the independent festival is being supported for the first time by British Comedy Guide, the most visited website for British comedy.
A spokesperson for BCG said: “The UK has many great comedy creators, but there aren’t many places for them to showcase their creations, network and learn new skills. That’s why British Comedy Guide is keenly supporting this festival.”
‘A career in magic wasn’t what I was after’
Mr Fortuna, a former professional magician, moved in 2016 to Cardiff where he had his first contact with stand-up and live comedy.
“I quickly find out that pursuing a career in magic was necessarily what I was after,” he said.
“I’ve always leaned into funny things and comedy has been a safe place for me.”
He found his calling as a comedy producer and set up Pigeon Talk Comedy two years ago to put on a range of comedy events, including monthly stand-up nights and cabarets.
He is working on hosting a weekend festival with a line-up of comedy performers from across the country.
He chose the name Pigeon Talks because: “I find pigeons funny and if pigeons could talk, I suppose they would be very funny as well.”
Pigeon Laughs Short Comedy Film Festival is holding screenings on Friday, March 28 at University of South Wales Atrium at 6:00pm and Saturday, March 29 2025, at Mad Dog Brewery at 12:00pm, with the awards ceremony taking place after.
Tickets can be found here:
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