The Second Macau International Comedy Festival is set to officially open on April 9 in Macao and Hengqin, as announced at a recent press conference held in Macao.

The second festival will see a major upgrade in scale and innovative content. It aims to create a global comedy extravaganza, bringing together comedians from around the world to deliver a passionate and spectacular event for residents of Hengqin, Macao and the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and comedy enthusiasts worldwide.

Leong Wai Man, Director of the Cultural Affairs Bureau of the Macao SAR Government, emphasized Macao’s role as a cultural bridge between China and the West and its active efforts in promoting cultural exchange and storytelling from China’s perspective.

The festival not only builds on the success of the first edition but also sees comprehensive upgrades in both content and format, with five major event segments taking place in both Macao and Hengqin.

The opening stage play, Peppa Pig: Wonderful Day, breaks the boundaries of traditional theater and takes the audience on an immersive journey exploring Hengqin's landmarks. On April 10, 11, and 13, three stand-up comedy shows will be staged in Macao and Hengqin, featuring both domestic and international performers.

The film screening segment, to be held from April 10 to 13, will also be upgraded. It will feature the Asian premiere of a Chaplin documentary and the China premiere of Takeshi Kitano’s new film Broken Rage. Takeshi Kitano and well-known Chinese comedy director, Xu Zheng will exchange ideas with film lovers after the movies. The festival will also welcome Dolores Chaplin, the creative force behind Charlie Chaplin: The Spirit of the Tramp, and Pete Chiarelli, screenwriter of the Hollywood hit Crazy Rich Asians, to share their international creative experiences.

A pitching event focused on screenwriters and presented through immersive stage performances, aimed at discovering emerging screenwriting talents and exploring the potential of intellectual properties, will be held on April 11 at Hengqin, with renowned directors Feng Xiaogang and Xu Zheng joining. They will collaborate with famous comedy actors and the festival’s initiators, Shen Teng and Ma Li, to support the next generation of comedians with their seasoned industry insights.

On April 12, a comedic red carpet event will be held, along with an awarding ceremony and the "HER WAY" women's forum. The festival will conclude on April 13 with a closing forum themed "Laughter is the Best Medicine."