The 12th Canadian Comedy Awards & Festival aren’t until this fall, but The Canadian Comedy Foundation for Excellence is gearing up now by opening submissions for nomination on Friday, March 11. Along with it are two new categories to be voted on by the public.

Those new categories include Best TV Show, Best Film, along with existing Best Web Clip, Best Radio Program or Clip and Comedy Person of the Year.

Categories to be voted on by the industry include writing, direction and performance in television, film, as well as awards for live (stand-up, sketch troupe, improv).

The awards ceremony itself will be surrounded by a five-day festival that comprises performances, workshops, seminars and networking.

Both public and industry voters must sign up at www.canadiancomedy.ca and submit by April 30, 2011. The awards will be doled out in Toronto this fall.