Comedian Kemah Bob is taking her beloved project to a new level with FOC Fest, an all-day festival that celebrates and supports women and non-binary people of color in the world of comedy.
From a simple idea to a strong community
In 2018, Kemah Bob founded FOC It Up, a comedy club for "femmes of color," with a simple idea: to create space for more underrepresented artists.
What started as a small segment at a festival turned into:
numerous comedy nights with different artists
a podcast
performance at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe
The goal was clear: a warm, inclusive, and authentic environment – not just for show.
A different festival
Now comes FOC Fest, the biggest event yet, which includes:
workshops and masterclasses
discussion panels with industry professionals
networking opportunities
an evening comedy show
Between the sessions there are:
stand-up training for trans and queer people
workshop on coping with emotions through humor
discussions with figures such as Nana Hughes and Julia McKenzie
This festival isn't just aimed at aspiring comedians. According to Bob, humor is a powerful tool for coping with difficulties and regaining control over oneself.
Challenge and lack of support
Despite its impact on the British comedy scene, the project continues without financial support. Organizing the festival has been a tedious process, with many applications for funding and sponsorship requests often being rejected.
Bob points out that interest in such initiatives seems to have waned, leaving them to rely mainly on their own resources.
Activism or trend?
According to Kemah Bob, after George Floyd and the global backlash in 2020, there was a temporary surge of interest in the voices of marginalized communities.
However, she describes this as “performative activism” – a support that waned once public pressure subsided. This, she says, shows that these voices are still seen by some as a trend, not a core part of the industry.
Looking to the future
Despite the challenges, the ambitions are high. Bob wants FOC It Up to become an international platform, bringing artists from cities like New York, Berlin, and India and creating a global network of collaborations.
“This is just the first festival,” she says. “The talent in our community is endless – and the desire for spaces like this is just as great.”
At its core, FOC Fest is not just a comedy event, but an effort to create a fair, authentic, and empowering space for voices that are often left in the shadows. /GazetaExpress/
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