MONTREAL and LOS ANGELES — The Just For Laughs Group announced today the launch of its new Galleria NFT (non-fungible token) beta marketplace, where fans can purchase pieces of comedy history in the form of original digital art.
Starting today, Just For Laughs, which is owned by Bell Media, Groupe CH and ICM Partners, is offering “The Victor Collection”, digital art of the festival’s beloved mascot Victor “in three very clever and humorous poses,” reads a press release. These pieces are being sold in tiers representing their rareness, from exclusive (US$14) to rare (US$40) to legendary (US$240), the release explains.
“Each design includes a mini 3D world, encased in a cube, with one element in the world being animated,” the release says.
People who purchase legendary Victors will be granted access automatically into the exclusive Just For Laughs Legend Club (JFLLC), which features perks including pre-sale offers for some upcoming shows and festivals, access to some online content before it is made available to the general public, and priority access to new drops.
Fans who sign up with the Galleria beta marketplace (nft.hahaha.com) will receive a limited-edition anniversary pin as an NFT, commemorating the festival’s 40th anniversary.
Just For Laughs Group also announced it will run an auction Dec. 7-9 that will see the sale of “The Laugh That Started It All”, with bidding starting at US$500. This is a one-of-a-kind minted piece, 3D animated graphic “that moves to the rhythm and sound of the first-ever laugh recorded at the very first JFL Festival Gala”, which took place July 15, 1983 at Montreal’s Théâtre Saint-Denis.
A portion of the proceeds from the sale of JFL’s “first laugh” will be donated to mental health initiatives, the release says.
“As leading comedy curators of the world, this is the next natural step in Just For Laughs’ journey in honouring the incredible comedy content collected over the last legendary 40 years,” said Charles Décarie, president and CEO of Just For Laughs Group, in the press release.
“This is a dynamic, technological innovation for the company, and we are proud to provide our fans with a piece of comedy history.”
Just For Laughs Group is partnering with Fanaply, a carbon neutral NFT platform, to host the JFL Galleria NFT beta marketplace.
