Chicago Comedy Film Festival announced today that Jane Lynch will receive a Lifetime Achievement in Comedy award at this year’s festival. Lynch will accept the award in person on Thursday, November 10th at 7:00 pm during the opening reception at The Second City’s Harold Ramis Film School. The school will co-present the award with Chicago Comedy Film Festival. The event is invite only. There will be a Chicago Filmmakers showcase to follow the reception at 8:30 pm, which is a ticketed event open to the public. Ticket holders to the 8:30 screening will be allowed entrance to the 7:00 pm reception.

Lynch is a Dolton, IL native. She spent 15 years in Chicago where she acted with Steppenwolf Theater Company and was one of two women picked to join The Second City comedy troupe. Lynch went on to gain fame and recognition in the Christopher Guest films Best in Show, A Mighty Wind, and For Your Consideration and later the hit television show Glee. She played the memorable role of Steve Carell’s boss in the film The 40 Year Old Virgin.

“We are honored to have Jane Lynch join us for the film festival and to recognize her for her contribution to comedy, film, and television. She has been an inspiration to those who work in comedy and especially an inspiration to women who work in this industry” says Jessica Hardy, festival director.

Lynch stars in the short film Writers Block which will screen as part of the festival Saturday, November 12th at 7:30 pm at The New 400 Theater.

Chicago Comedy Film Festival schedule and tickets are now available at chicagocomedyfilmfestival.com
2016 trailers can be watched at youtube.com/chicagocomedyfilm.

View Jane Lynch’s viral commencement speech from Columbia College earlier this year here.