USC Comedy Festival to Honor Filmmaker Jason Reitman

Filmmaker and USC alumnus Jason Reitman is slated to receive the Jack Oakie and Victoria Horne Oakie Master of Comedy Award at the seventh edition of the USC Comedy Festival, set for March 28-30 at the campus.

The three-day festival aims to examine the role that comedy plays in shaping popular culture and social movements. The tribute to Reitman, the helmer behind such films as 2024’s “Saturday Night,” 2009’s “Up in the Air” and 2007’s “Juno,” will close the festival and include a Q&A on stage with film historian and critic Leonard Maltin.

USC launched the event in 2011, the same year it established the USC Comedy department with the goal of “championing comedy as a field of university study.” The festival has been held every other year since. This year’s event includes a panel on AI’s impact in the creation of comedy (session title: “Can Comedy Be Automated?”), as well as panels on writing for late-night TV and for podcasts. Speakers include such veterean industry writers, directors and producers as Matt Selman, Jenni Konner, Jamie Loftus, Alena Smith, Madhuri Shekar, Roshan Sethi, Danny Ricker, Josh Halloway and Andrew DeYoung.

The festival’s first night will close with a preview screening of A24’s Paul Rudd-Tim Robinson comedy “Friendship,” which is set to bow May 9.

“This year’s festival showcases an extraordinary convergence of artists and filmmakers that are at the forefront of comedy’s evolution. As the comedic landscape continues to shift, we’re eager to explore the creative forces shaping its future, making this an unmissable weekend of reflection, revelation and, of course, endless entertainment,” said Alex Ago, executive director of USC Comedy Festival.

The event is produced by USC Comedy and the USC School of Cinematic Arts. It’s sponsored by the university’s campus-wide USC Voices & Visions arts and humanities initiative.

“The USC Comedy Festival remains a cornerstone for creators and artists to gather, discuss and challenge the ever-evolving landscape of the comedy industry. For us, comedy has always been more than entertainment — it’s a powerful tool for sparking meaningful conversations about the world around us,” said Barnet Kellman, co-director of USC Comedy. “This year, we’re especially excited to celebrate the incredible work being done right now, recognizing the fresh, innovative voices shaping the future. The Festival remains a celebration not just of laughter, but of the profound impact humor has in shaping cultural conversations and driving social change.”