The Last Laugh: NIAJ Fest Wraps Another Successful Los Angeles Takeover

Are you experiencing abdominal discomfort? Is your funny bone, literally, sore? If you’re in Los Angeles, these symptoms may be attributed to Netflix Is a Joke Fest 2026, which just wrapped its epic third edition. (If you’re not in LA, you may want to get that looked at.)

Over the course of seven days, we put on more than 475 shows featuring more than 500 artists at more than 45 venues across the city. Shows ranged from the star-studded The Roast of Kevin Hart at Inglewood’s Kia Forum, broadcast live to our members around the world, to intimate backyard comedy battles and bookstore stand-up shows. At cornerstones of the local comedy scene like The Comedy Store in West Hollywood and The Ice House in Pasadena, we hosted multiple shows on multiple stages and multiple nights, bringing in both fan favorites and new faces.

“Coming to LA and getting to see it in these intimate rooms and these giant theaters is an experience like no other,” said Netflix Head of Comedy Tracey Pakosta. “It also gives the community the ability to go see things all around the city.”

One of those fan favorites was Fortune Feimster, known for her roles in Yes Day and FUBAR in addition to headlining three of her own stand-up specials for Netflix: Sweet and Salty, Crushing It and Good Fortune. The comedienne stopped by the festival to record a live episode of her podcast, Handsome, with co-hosts Tig Notaro and Mae Martin, and guests Malin Akerman and Brittany Snow, stars of The Hunting Wives.

“You are seeing your favorite comics together in all these places doing shows together. You're seeing the camaraderie,” said Feimster of the festival.

Added Pakosta: “It's why we love Netflix Is a Joke. It's because all of this amazing talent comes together to celebrate comedy because we all have a passion for it.”

While there were plenty of headliners like Dave Chapelle, John Mulaney and Seth Rogen (just to name a few), this year’s festival was also packed with up-and-comers whose big break may be one NIAJ show away. “What's beautiful about a comedy festival is that it brings people together,” said Feimster. “Just meeting each other and networking with each other is huge for a comedian’s career, because we put each other on shows. We lay the groundwork for each other to then hopefully get the Netflix opportunities.”

And those talents can stretch across a wide variety of Netflix projects. Take Bert Kreischer, who has five Netflix stand-up specials, in addition to his own lifestyle show, The Cabin with Bert Kresicher and his scripted series Free Bert. And we can’t forget his hilarious (and sometimes shirtless) appearances at Netflix live events like NFL Christmas Gameday Live and MLB Opening Night. Or Feimster, who can next be seen in both upcoming Netflix series (The Hawk) and movies (The Fifth Wheel). 

“Netflix wants to be the biggest place for comedy around the world. And I think we're doing that,”  said Pakosta. “It's about finding a variety of voices and a variety of talents.”

While Netflix Is a Joke Fest may be over, our talent is already looking ahead to the next laugh fest. Said Feimster, “I would recommend, especially on our next festival, to come and experience it for yourself because it really is a magical week here in Los Angeles."