Laff fest grows by 'Osmosis'
Farrelly, Hanks premiere two pics at Just For Laughs
Comedia world premiered two Hollywood comedy pics, the Farrelly brothers' live-action/animation blend "Osmosis Jones" and "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" from Tom Hanks' Playtone Co.
The laff fest's film section also hosted the North American premiere of two significant French films: Hit comedy "La verite si je mens II" ("Would I Lie to You 2") and "La tour Montparnesse infernale" with hot comic duo Eric and Ramzy. The fest also premiered the Quebecois vampire spoof "K2."
Peter and Bobby Farrelly, animation directors Piet Kroon and Tom Sito and thesps Laurence Fishburne, Chris Rock and Brandy Norwood all showed for the screening of Warner Bros. release "Osmosis Jones."
Nia Vardalos and co-star Andrea Martin were in town for the preem of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding." The one-woman show starring Vardalos that inspired the film was one of the hottest tickets at the fest, selling out a week at the Gesu Theater.
"I think we had a good balance," said Just for Laughs chief operating officer Bruce Hills. "We had films that got us a lot of attention, like 'Osmosis,' but we also had some smaller, quality films like 'Dean Quixote.' We want to offer a showcase for up-and-coming filmmakers and we also want to be a great platform for Hollywood to launch a film."
Other popular shows included the Australian full-frontal "Puppetry of the Penis," femme-focused "Mom's the Word" and Scott Thompson's one-man "The Lowest Show on Earth."
There were, however, no development deals signed.
Talent that generated industry heat included Montreal's Mike Patterson, Eddie Gossling from Texas, the U.K.'s Adam Bloom, Jamie Lissow, Mike Birbiglia and Dean Edwards. Edwards has just been added to the cast of NBC's "Saturday Night Live."
Up-and-coming standup Michael Jr.'s performance at the festival was broadcast live on "The Tonight Show With Jay Leno" Friday in a coup for both the fest and the comic.
Organizers announced Monday that the 20th edition of the fest will take place July 11-21. The 20th anniversary celebrations will kick off Sept. 29 with a Just for Laughs-presented show featuring Jerry Seinfeld at Place des Arts in Montreal.
