America Meet World

Connecting the world through laughter & entertainment!

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Australian Heath Bradley's 'Bangers' animation: perfect'shion

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Read Through - Chin Up! Episode 4

Done binge watching House of Cards Season 3?

If you are, it's time to move onto CHIN UP!, a series following the life of a struggling actress in ‪#‎Johannesburg‬, South Africa. the web series stars and was created by Lara Adine Lipschitz, in collaboration with some of SA's best comedic actors.

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The Samaritans Trailer

Developed by Kenyan production company, Xeinium, The Samaritans is a comedy series about an NGO that does nothing. Creator - Hus Kurji. Director - Salim Keshavjee/Amirah…

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Action shot of an AMW favorite. Loyiso Gola from last week's show Stand Up NY​ 

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Sold-out show at last Thursday! Thanks to the comedians & everyone who came to enjoy international comedy.

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Parenting Tips - America Meet World - SPT Productions [STAND UP COMEDY]

Kids will screw up your sex life. Forever.

(Video from South African Comedian Nik Rabinowitz. He has kids. Presumably no sex life.)

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Vancouver's very own Ed Hill performs at Yuk Yuk's. 

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“America Met World”: A Note On Trevor Noah & Our Show @ Stand Up NY

Last week, South African comedian Trevor Noah was announced as Jon Stewart’s replacement at The Daily Show. Comedy Central’s decision to name Noah as successor to Stewart’s satirical legacy signifies more than a simple ‘changing of the guards.’ A long-time bastion of American humor, The Daily Show has been unique in its ability to reach into the American psyche, extending its humorous observances far beyond politics. Placing a multi-racial comedian at the helm of such an influencer has real consequences- good consequences. The decision signifies a narrative shift within the entertainment industry.

“Choosing Noah represents an opening, the possibility that other international stories and artists could find a welcome home in the power hubs of American entertainment.” -Trina DasGupta, America Meet World founder, pulled from her op-ed featured in Mic.

One of the good consequences? Trevor Noah is igniting America’s interest in global comedy. Following the big reveal last week, our showcase at Stand Up NY sold out. Playing to an audience as international as its performers, six comedians from six continents brought the room to its feet. In some small way, the showcase’s success validated one of our cornerstone ideas- that exposure to difference allows us to see that we’re all the same.(There’s no better way to learn about each other than to laugh with one another. Cheers to many more sold-out comedy nights.)

All video clips from the showcase will be available in the next few weeks. In the meantime, here are a few photographs to tide you over.

Loyiso Gola- Star of the Emmy-nominated political satire show, Loyiso Gola has been the winner of numerous accolades, including South Africa's top comedian, he has been featured at top global festivals, including Just for Laughs and the Edinburgh Fringe.

Anuvab Pal- Anointed by the New York Times as “India's most intelligent stand-up comic," Anuvab is a world renowned stand-up comedian, screenwriter and playwright from Mumbai.

Julio Torres - Brooklyn-based comedian  who moved to NYC from El Salvador, has parlayed his short story and play writing into stand-up, most recently making him a Comedy Central Comic to Watch and part of the StandUp NBC College Tour.

Carmen Lynch- Made her network debut as one of the top 20 comics on the first season of "Last Comic Standing.” She's also done a lot of Spanish shows including SiTV's "Latino Laugh Festival" and toured as one of the Latinas of Comedy with Paul Rodriguez. 

Jon Fisch - Last Comic Standing 4 Audience Favorite Jon has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman. Former host of the widely popular podcast “In the Tank”, he’s also been featured in Maxim Magazine. 

David Smithyman - Current writer for the ABC’s hit comedy 'Fresh Off The Boat,” David  was a finalist and touring member of NBC's Stand Up For Diversity competition in 2013. He was recently named one of Comedy Central's Comics To Watch.

Arnaud Collery- Born in France, Arnaud  traveled the globe before setting in the US. Since 2005 he’s written and directed more than 30 shows in comedy, short film, theater, stand-up, and improvisation interviews on the streets of Los Angeles. 

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Trevor Noah and the Global Trade Deficit In Entertainment

Diversity isn’t just about race and gender. It’s about perspective. And the rest of the world has a lot to say.

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America Meet World @ South By Southwest

The team at America Meet World hosted a panel discussion at this year’s South By Southwest. From an initial pool of 6,000 applicants, AMW was selected to present alongside six hundred other individuals & teams. Why did we do it?

Because we love good laughs, we revel with great comedians, and we believe that comedy has tremendous power to speak human truths. Comedy can be an incredible catalyst for change- in the way that we treat one another, relate to one another, and ultimately in the way that we coexist.Humor doesn't just entertain. It generates the stuff that make this world a better place.

“When Jon Stewart did the impossible and turned the economic crisis into something funny and approachable, it was a game changer. When Modern Family portrays a married gay couple and turns the concept from the demon to the prime time norm, it's a game changer. When the entire Western world challenges one another to pour ice buckets over themselves in a silly gag, prompting those same individuals to learn about a not-so-sexy, previously little-known disease, it's a game changer. When Israelis and Palestinians willingly walk into peace negotiations (even funny ones) and come out laughing--that is THE game-changer.” From Omri Marcus's article (Huffington Post)

Our session explored international political satire and - with no shortage of humor - reflected upon how the rest of the world sees the United States. Here are some of our favorite snapshots & soundbites from our four days in Austin!

“If we get attacked by aliens then we're all going to have to work together. That's the only thing that will unite us.”David Kibuuka theorizes on what it will take to come together

"It shows how weak a government is when they're afraid of a comedy show." Saman Arbabi,  on the reaction of the Iranian government to his widely popular satirical television show Parazit

"What I learned from college here was freedom of thought."  Anuvab Pal, on attending college in the United States

"Can political satire undermine the political process?" Trina DasGupta, posing a question to the panel

South By Southwest provided us a phenomenal stage to speak honestly (and humorously) about people, politics, and global perspectives. Without you, we wouldn’t have been given this incredible opportunity.Your support helped us get there. For that, we can’t offer enough love and gratitude!

Want to see more?

Here’s the video introduction to the panel: https://vimeo.com/122005931

Great photos from our week in Austin: https://www.facebook.com/AmericaMeetWorld

Podcast of full panel discussion- available soon!

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Seven days & 1700 miles til’ ‪#‎SXSW2015‬

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP39631

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Comedy is {AUSTIN} power{s}. See you for our groovy discussion on politics and satire.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP39631

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Last call for all you ‪satire & politics groupies! Today's the day we present SXSW.

Check out the link for event information:http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP39631

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America Meet World is rolling deep at South By Southwest.

http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP39631

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Dating in New York City - Anuvab Pal | America Meet World - Gotham Comedy Club [STAND UP]

Anuvab Pal is headed to Texas on March 14th, to talk politics and satire on our SXSW panel. Reacquaint yourself with his comedy genius before you meet us in Austin!

(You can learn more about our panel discussion, "America Meet World: How Global Satirists See Us" by checking out this link: http://schedule.sxsw.com/2015/events/event_IAP39631)

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Love comedy? Comedians love love.

Well, sort of. "Comedy is truth and pain," so naturally love and relationships are pretty funny.

Five of our favorite comedians from around the world tell us how it is this Valentine’s Day.

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Happy Valentine’s Day To All The Citizens Of The World!

To celebrate this day of love, we’re giving you something special. We’re giving you some Wood, some really good Wood.

(We’re talking Nollywood here folks!) 

What is Nollywood?

Nigerian cinema, often referred to as Nollywood, is huge. Ten-billion-dollars-second-largest-film-industry-on-the-globe huge. In just a few short decades, aided by the explosion of affordable digital technologies, Nigeria’s film industry has become an international powerhouse.

Nigeria’s film industry is the third most valuable in the world, with respect to profit generation (In 2013 Nollywood productions amassed nearly 10 billion US dollars) And those of you who might be familiar with Nigerian cinema know Nollywood is prolific in terms of output. The country is outpaced only by India in the amount of movies produced each year.

(Editor’s note- all figures & information in the previous two paragraphs have re-purposed from Wikipedia articles. Wikipedia is truth...respect the Wiki.)

So what does Nollywood have to do with Valentine’s Day?

Generally speaking, nothing. But hear us out:

Nollywood has been picking up steam in the past years, slowly garnering international notice. Pretty soon the world is going to be involved in an extraordinarily grand love affair with Nigerian cinema. Since we love Nolly films, and V-Day is about spreading the love, we thought that we’d share with you five of our favorite love-inspired films.     

We hope something catches your fancy.   

If You Like Flowers, Girls, & People Accidentally Getting Hit By Cars:

Watch: Flower Girl (2013)

Starring: Damilola Adegbite, Chris Attoh, Chuks Chukwujekwu

Wiki-synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Girl_(film)

If You Like Strangers, Handwriting, & Telephones

Watch: Letters To A Stranger (2007)

Starring: Genevieve Nnaji, Yemi Blaq, Fred Amata, Elvina Ibru, Joke Silva

Wiki-synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Letters_to_a_Stranger

If You Like Airports & Films Sponsored By Cell Phone Companies:

Watch: Phone Swap (2012)

Starring: Nse Ikpe Etim, Wale Ojo, Joke Silva, Chika Okpala, Lydia Forson

Wiki-synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Phone_Swap

If You Like Drama, Dirty Secrets, & Being Single And Married At The Same Time:

Watch: Single & Married (2012)

Starring: Yvonne Nelson, Chris Attoh, Nadia Buari,  Jane 'Efya' Awindor

Wiki-synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Single_and_Married

If You Like Events Planning, Jobs, Relationships, & Really Pronounced Screen Chemistry

Watch: When Love Happens

Starring: Weruche Opia,OC Ukeje, Beverly Naya, Oreka Godis

Wiki-synopsis: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/When_Love_Happens