Punderneath It All
 
 

Exploring the PUNderbelly of wordplay culture in the US, “Punderneath It All” documents the subculture at the intersection of standup comedy, improv, and trivia: pun competitions.

 
 
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Synopsis

If laughter is the best medicine, then pun competitions are just what the doctor ordered. 

Visiting the “pun scenes” in respective US cities, Abby Hagan’s PUNDERNEATH IT ALL follows multiple characters as they create their own pun slams and navigate the live comedy world. You’ll meet an endearing cast of characters, including Seattle’s premier pun slam hostess, Forest Ember, as she forges her own path in the community and builds her “pun empire” across the Pacific Northwest. 

Exploring such themes as linguistics, the ethics of controversial comedy, and inclusivity within this niche world, PUNDERNEATH IT ALL ultimately centers around the idea of laughter as a means to foster community.

Buckle in for the most pun ride of your life—let the groans begin!

 

Festivals

PUNDERNEATH IT ALL is currently in its film festival run. See below for selections and screening dates!

Upper LEft Comedy Festival

  • Seattle, WA

  • Friday, April 26th (Live Pun Slam at 9 PM, followed by film screening at 10:45 PM)

LA FEMME INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

  • Los Angeles, CA

  • 12:00 PM on Saturday, October 21, 2023


Spokane INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

(Audience award winner for best documentary feature!)

  • Spokane, WA

  • 7:00 PM on Saturday, February 10, 2024 + streaming Sunday, February 11, 2024 8-10 AM

Tacoma FILM FESTIVAL

(Audience choice award for best pnw film!)

  • Tacoma, WA

  • 7:30 PM on Tuesday, October 10, 2023

Poppy Jasper International Film Festival

  • Hollister, CA

  • April 13, 2024, 11 AM

  • Granada Theater

 

Broad Humor Film Festival

(California Premiere)

  • Santa Monica, CA

  • September 1, 2023, 8 PM

SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

(World premiere)

  • Seattle, WA

  • May 16 & May 17, 2023

Deep in the heart film festival

(Special jury award winner!)

  • Waco, Texas

  • Friday, July 21, 2023

 
 
 

“…puns are the highest and lowest form of humor because they materialize the immaterial (language), which is magic…”

-RICH SMITH, THE STRANGER

 
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