Welcome to Joke Lab Festival Previews - an exclusive sneak peak at the best new comedy of 2026!
Australia's funniest comedians have been hard at work in the lab developing all new laugh-out-loud jokes, and now all they need are test subjects. Dive into a night of sharp wit, unexpected surprises, and hilarious experiments!
Don't miss the chance to laugh with the best in the biz for a bargain price - tickets are just $15 including a complimentary drink on arrival.

Leon Fileswood is the Winner of Deadly Funny 2018 at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival and the 2026 Moosehead Recipient.

In times of uncertainty – when the quiet part’s being said out loud and division is everywhere – we need voices for unity. We need to laugh. We need to feel less alone.

Holding Space is comedy with heart – Leon Filewood making sense of the madness, one joke at a time.

Leon Filewood is a Torres Strait Islander comedian with Cape York Peninsula connections who has taken a unique path to the stage. His journey, rooted in a desire to protect and empower his community, has led him from the courtroom to the comedy club, blending social commentary with sharp wit.

Driven by a passion for his community, he initially pursued a career in law. "I was worried about my community," Leon explains, "I thought, well, if you know the laws, you can protect your people."

Along side his legal career Leon has toured the country with his comedy career, and thanks to Melbourne International Comedy Festival's Deadly Funny program.

'A playful take on blackfella stereotypes.' Chortle (UK)

Directed by Tom Ballard