The UK's most important and much loved live comedy awards dubbed "The unofficial Oscars of Comedy", is being re-branded as the Edinburgh Comedy Awards (the Eddies for short), following a consultation with the industry. Founded in 1981, the Awards enjoyed a 25 year relationship with Perrier. In 2005, Intelligent Finance took over the sponsorship, which ended in April of this year. They are now celebrating 29 years of discovering comedy genius at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Veteran Producer Nica Burns says,

"Whilst being completely independent, these Awards have always consulted with the key players in the live comedy industry and have mirrored its changes and growth. There is clear agreement that we need a name that reflects exactly what it is and which can remain at the heart of the Awards as sponsors change.

Otherwise there are very few changes to the 2009 Awards - everything is reassuringly the same.

I am delighted to announce that in 2009 we are going international. For the first time, the winner of the best comedy show will be invited to perform at the Just for Laughs comedy festivals in Montreal, Toronto and Chicago. The Montreal festival in particular is famous as an extraordinary showcase for comedians in North America and we are delighted to offer this opportunity for the winner."

There will be no changes in regard to the judging or the Awards categories. All shows eligible will be automatically seen – last year over 350 different comedy shows were seen by the Awards team.

The judging panel consists of seven professionals and three comedy punters representing the public. The panel will be chaired this year by Tim Arthur, the respected comedy critic for Time Out.

The Awards and prizes are:-

• Best Comedy Show with a cash prize of £8,000 and a new addition of an invitation to perform at the Montreal, Toronto and Chicago Just for Laughs Comedy Festivals
• Best Newcomer with a cash prize of £4,000
• Panel Prize with a cash prize of £4,000

The shortlist will be announced on Wednesday 26th August 2009 and the winner announced on Saturday 29th August 2009. In order to hit increasingly earlier press deadlines, the winners will be announced at a lunchtime ceremony, not at midnight as before.

Nica Burns said: "In a now highly developed, competitive and successful comedy industry - the Edinburgh Comedy Awards remain an independent force for uncovering outstanding comedy talent. 2010 will be our 30th anniversary and having gone international in 2009, I look forward to the Awards’ 50th anniversary when perhaps we will break the final frontier and send our winner to perform in space!"