Jonathan Schuster
Ok, so Jonathan Schuster is hardly a noob on the scene. He's been around for a few years (since 2007 to be precise), but with the stellar success of ABC 2's Fancy Boy in the last year, his career is certainly hitting its stride in 2017. The Melbourne-based comedian's latest stand-up show, Earth Choice, features Schuster's personal brand of geek-chic storytelling. Join him for a 50-minute whistle-stop tour of the highs and lows of living in a "scuzzy" (his word, not ours) flat in St Kilda. And don't worry if Earth Choice sounds a little on the new agey side - it's just his brand of washing powder.
What: Earth Choice
When & Where: 3 - 23 Apr, Trades Hall
Richard Gadd
He may be new to Antipodean audiences, but this Scottish comic arrives Down Under with some seriously impressive creds in tow. Winner of Best Show at the 2016 Edinburgh Comedy Awards, he's already considered one to watch in his native Britain. In addition to being pretty damn funny, Gadd's humour has also been praised for its thought-provoking undertones. Making his Australian debut with a bare-all exploration of mental illness and masculine identity in the modern world (see, we told you it was brainy stuff), Monkey See Monkey Do promises to be one of the shows not to miss at this year's fest.
What: Monkey See Monkey Do
When & Where: 30 Mar - 23 Apr, ACMI
Natalie Harris
The flame-haired funnylady returns to MICF with a brand new show, fresh off the success of her last solo stand-up, Good Greif in 2016. This is good news indeed, given that there was a two-year hiatus between her solo stand-up debut in 2014 and last year's second outing, but that's not to say Harris was sitting on her hands. With appearances on The Vagina Diaries, Twentysomething, Gender Matters and Fancy Boy, she certainly has been keeping busy. Her latest show draws on themes close to Harris' heart, namely female empowerment, agency and identity in the modern world. She's a dragon - hear her (and her audience) roar (with laughter).
What: Dragon
When & Where: 30 Mar - 23 Apr, Trades Hall
Danielle Walker
Hailing from Queensland, Walker has already laid the foundations of a promising future as a major player in Australia's comedy scene. She was crowned the 2016 RAW Comedy National Champion, before taking out third prize at the UK's So You Think You're Funny competition. She's quickly honed a unique comic voice, that leans a little to the dark side with plenty of twisted observational humour to keep things interesting. If you like your comedy kooky, with a generous side serving of anarchic mischief, then Walker's brand of "slightly deranged" storytelling will definitely be up your alley.
What: The Comedy Zone
When & Where: 30 Mar - 23 Apr, Trades Hall
Rohan Ganju
To say Rohan Ganju is chilled out would be a colossal understatement - the man is a god damn black belt at deadpan, which makes the speed and bullseye aim of his one-line comedy all the more powerful. His zingers are brilliantly sour, brain-teasing, unexpectedly edgy and delivered with Prozac-level chill. Basically, he is a living, breathing, Aussie Droopy dog. Despite placing as National Runner-Up at Raw Comedy 2015, and numerous TV and Radio spots, Rohan admits "success has failed to fill the void inside myself that I believed would be sated by the approval of strangers." We'll be doing our best to fill your void this MICF, Rohan, don't you worry...
What: The Comedy Zone
When & Where: 30 Mar - 23 Apr, Trades Hall
Sam Taunton
2016 was a big year for Sam. He became a presenter for MTV Australia and NZ, and toured across the nation and overseas in Asia with the Melbourne International Comedy Roadshow. He's already trodden the comedy boards as part of The Comedy Zone showcase and has also formerly been a RAW Comedy National Finalist, so it's safe to say, the boy's got skillz. For his latest show, he'll be letting the audience in on his regretful teenage years as well as tackling that oft pondered conundrum: how often should you change your bedsheets?
What: Taunts Down For What
When & Where: 30 Mar - 23 Apr, Victoria Hotel.
