What the judges had to say

Comedy Club 4 Kids – Best Kids Show

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “With a line-up that changes every day, Comedy Club 4 Kids does exactly what the name suggests – it’s an introduction to live comedy for a new generation which rewards repeat visits. You never quite know what you’ll get, and with some of the acts enjoying their first experience trying to make a bunch of kids laugh, they don’t know what they’re in for either. It’s the Fringe in microcosm, a space to grow comedy audiences of the future as well as an opportunity for comics to experiment with adapting their act for the most terrifying critics of all.”

The Fringe Society – The Accessibility Award

This award is selected by Gig Buddies. Gig Buddies enables adults with a learning disability and autistic adults to live an active social life. They do this by pairing members to like-minded volunteers to enjoy their shared passion together. Each year at the Besties they choose the winner of the Accessibility Award and this year we are delighted to announce it goes to The Festival Fringe Society.

Neil, Gig Buddies Member said: ‘It’s great knowing I can approach the front of house team, have them scan my ticket and all of my access requirements show up. I don’t have to divulge any personal information in front of anyone. No one asks me any questions. It’s meant that I’ve not had an awkward experience at the festival in years.’

Sam Maggs, Gig Buddies Project Manager said: ‘Gig Buddies with Thera Trust believes that the Fringe Society embody the ethos that the festival is for everyone. From the systems they’ve put in place that enable people to easily make their access requirements known, to their openness in asking for feedback from access customers in creating resources, to the incredible implementation of ‘no questions asked’ +1 tickets for people in supporting roles. What’s more, their Fringe Days Out initiative works with over 30 local charities ensuring cultural, financial, and accessibility barriers can be broken down, and more people can access the festival who otherwise would not. Our experience of the Fringe Society’s attitude towards access and inclusion is that they are world leading.’

Molly Tavella, Gig Buddies Project Coordinator said: ‘Their policy of not requiring documentation to give people access accommodations is great. It saves people hassle and cultivates a positive, trusting culture.’

And finally, Joseph, Gig Buddies Member said: ‘The Fringe team are accommodating, understanding, and really listen to people.’

Palestinian Circus: Step and a Half – The Soul of the Fringe Award

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “We can’t think of a show that sums up what the Fringe should be about more than this year’s Palestinian Circus: Step and a Half. There is immense talent and technical skill on display, incredible innovation of circus arts through the fusion of dabke music, and a throughline of resilience and joy that is simply breathtaking to watch. We talk a lot about what it means to create resistance out of joy and this is the best example of it we have seen: it is a call to keep moving, to keep dancing, to keep connecting to people across the world.”

Trans Masc Studies at the Edinburgh Art Festival – [the gender euphoria award]

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “Trans Masc Studies is a rare and heartening space for trans people to reclaim their own histories and futures beyond the distorting media narratives peddled by Scotland’s anti-trans movement. It also demonstrates EAF’s long-term engagement with queer art and LGBTQ+ communities/issues, as well as their commitment to platforming work which seeks to shift the discourse in their home city.”

Legacy Museum: The Legacy of Slavery – The Impact Award

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “This carefully considered, highly detailed display offers necessary perspective on the reality of the transatlantic slave trade, its enduring manifestations and Scotland’s complicity in it. The Legacy of Slavery provides a factual basis which underpins much of this year’s Edinburgh Interantional Festival programming. Situated within the gilded surrounds of the University of Edinburgh’s Playfair Library, the exhibition is unflinching in its representation of the evolution of oppression. It’s just around the corner – if you haven’t been yet, go.”

Dane Buckley: Darling – The Breakthrough Award

The Skinny team praised Dane Buckley’s incredibly strong writing and consistent performance from the start to the very end. Comedy editor Phoebe Crawford said “I didn’t stop laughing and also crying – equal parts moving and hilarious! I haven’t stopped thinking about it since I saw it.”

Farah Ashraf and NAZAR Arts, Little Stitch Productions: Pink Rabbit – The Solo Play Award

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “For people (us) who have seen many a Fringe festival, the solo show can become an old and dreaded form. Pink Rabbitjolts us back to its potential. The moment Farah Ashraf speaks as Amna, an 18-year-old OnlyFans creator hiding a double life, we are gripped by this skilled solo performer with something fresh and exciting to say. Exploring faith, desire and the intoxicating power of attention, Ashraf makes an indelible impression with a debut that lands its laughs and emotional punches in equal measure.

“Ashraf…navigates the raw naiveté, humour, charisma and spirit of Amna with sensitivity. Her Amna is gutsy, vibrant, naughty and vulnerable…bouncing back and forth between Amna’s character and those around her with command and fluidity.”

Craig Manson: Bunny – The Local Hero Award

The Skinny and Fest team commented: “One day very soon, this proverbial (and literal) circus will leave town, and Scotland’s artists will go back to the hard task of creating, producing and developing exciting new work.

“Craig Manson’s Bunny! is a clever, ambitious and extremely funny satire of life as an artist in Scotland. It’s a tale of the scramble for funding and opportunity, but it’s also a shining example of the joyful and energetic arts scenes that exist across Scotland. The Skinny praised Manson’s performance for its “passion and vigour”, while Fest said that Bunny!offers “arch reflections on the meaning of fame and art”. It’s cheeky, it’s funny, and it has a surprisingly high body count for a one-person show – Bunny! captures the invigorating, disheartening, beautiful and tragic nature of creativity, and of working as hard as you can to make the art you want to make.”

About The Besties

Reflecting the broad and diverse coverage both The Skinny and Fest magazines produce every summer and celebrating the breadth of Edinburgh’s Festivals, The Besties span all the festival activity taking place in the city over the month of August, including the Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Book Festival and the Edinburgh International Film Festival.

Winners of The Besties are chosen each week by the editorial teams of The Skinny and Fest, drawing on their cross-festival expertise to celebrate the best work happening anywhere in the festivals. 2026 winners were announced across three weekends. We’ll be back in 2027 with more awards!