Alexandre Kominek, Lord Beeve and Cinzia Cattaneo, at the top

The Cultural Fund of the Swiss Society of Authors has just awarded its 2024 SSA Humor Prizes. This year, three new names have been added to the long list which lists, winners after winners, everything that Switzerland Romande has the best on its palette of happy guys, both in terms of established artists and on the up-and-coming side.

The title of figurehead goes to the Genevan Alexandre Kominek. His significant influence both in Switzerland and abroad, on radio and television, earned him the SSA Humor Prize, worth 10,000 francs. The actor, based in Paris since 2017, is praised for his “biting humor and his charisma on stage”. He follows in the footsteps of Yann Marguet, crowned last year, Marina Rollman in 2022, Thomas Wiesel in 2021 or artists such as Blaise Bersinger, Nathanël Rochat, Yann Lambiel, Joseph Gorgoni, Marc Donnet-Monay…

Born in 1989, he has carved out a place for himself among the big names in stand-up in French-speaking Europe. “He is known for his incisive humor, often tinged with sarcasm and hard-hitting observations on society. It addresses varied subjects, ranging from human relationships to the absurdities of everyday life, with great finesse,” observes the jury, made up of Marielle Friedli (programmer of Hameau-Z’Arts in Payerne), Nathalie Schnegg (co-director of the Casino-Théâtre at Locle), Emilie Chapelle (co-director of the Caustic Comedy Club in Geneva), Gaspard Boesch (author and director in Geneva) and Gérald Cordonier (Head of the Culture & Magazine section at “24 Heures”).

Alexandre Kominek continues to perform regularly on stage, throughout France and Switzerland, with his show “Sensitive Bastard” and is working on new humorous projects. Off stage, we will soon find him in an RTS series “Threatened species”a Netflix comedy “New Rich” and as a columnist on France Inter.

Young talents, rather twice than once

After deliberations, the jury decided to exceptionally award two SSA New Talent Humor Prizes (5,000 francs each) to Cinzia Cattaneo and Lord Beeve. The two winners stand out on the emerging side, after Jérémy Crausaz (2023), Capucine Lhemanne (2021), Thibaud Agoston (2020) and Simon Romang (2019).

The Genevan Cinzia Cattaneo has managed to make a place for himself in the world of stand-up thanks to his spontaneity, his authenticity and his sense of self-deprecation. She began her career on sets and in competitions, winning the Morges-sous-Rire springboard in 2019. She worked on Couleur 3 and on the Parisian stages, where she began to make a place for herself. Next season, she will go on a French-speaking tour.

“Cinzia Cattaneo is appreciated for her ability to connect with her audience and to tackle sometimes taboo subjects with lightness and intelligence,” pointed out the jury, which honored “her perseverance, her relentlessness at work and this unfailing desire to move forward, while remaining true to itself.

Friborg still in the place

Cinzia Cattaneo shares the honors with Fribourgeois Julien Rossier, better known as Lord Beetroot. Author and director, known for his absurd and offbeat humor, he seduces the public with his unique character and his surreal sketches.

Lord Beeve started out in local comedy clubs before becoming an emblematic figure at French-speaking comedy festivals. His popularity has grown through his appearances on television shows, on the radio, and with his online videos. He likes to experiment with new formats with podcasts and web series. The artist participated, among others, in the “Revue vaudoise” and that of Fribourg. He has already won several awards including the Coup de Cœur of the Le Souffleur d’Arundel festival, the springboards of Printemps du Rire, Lions du Rire and Morges-sous-Rire. The jury noted “his talent as a “chameleon” actor, his appetite for bringing his offbeat humor to life in all forms and his ability to advance alone and collaborate as a team.”

“These three comedians each bring a unique style and a particular perspective to the French-speaking comedy scene, contributing to the diversity and richness of contemporary French-speaking humor,” commented the jury. The official proclamation will take place on Thursday, June 13 at 7 p.m. as part of the Morges-sous-Rire festival.

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