From a media release:
Counterfeit Pictures is thrilled to announce today that the Toronto-based production company specializing in scripted and non-scripted television comedy projects has hired Zoe Rabnett as Director of Talent and Comedy Development, effective immediately. Rabnett, a mainstay of Canada’s comedy scene, recently wrapped up her long-held position with Montreal’s Just For Laughs as Director of Canadian and International Programming. She previously held positions at Diamondfield Entertainment, where she produced and booked the Rivoli’s famed ALTdot COMedy Lounge for 10 years.
While at Just For Laughs, Rabnett was responsible for finding and booking comedy talent from Canada and around the world for the prestigious festival, as well as for the organization’s tours and TV specials. It was in this capacity that she first collaborated with the Counterfeit Pictures team, acting as a producer on Counterfeit/Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night With Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy), and a variety of stand up specials for Crave.
Counterfeit Pictures was established in 2013 by partners Anton Leo, Shane Corkery, and Dan Bennett, who rallied together around the goal of amplifying and creating platforms for Canadian comic talent. The company’s past projects include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). Counterfeit is also currently in post- production on the new scripted half-hour comedy SHELVED for CTV, created by award-winning showrunner Anthony Q. Farrell (Overlord and the Underwoods, The Office) and slated to premiere in 2023.
About Zoe Rabnett
Zoe knows and loves Canadian comedy. As a junior agent right out of university at Diamondfield Entertainment, she learned about representing comedians for commercial, television and film work. At the same time, she began producing live shows, booking, and running the weekly ALTdot COMedy Lounge at The Rivoli in Toronto for 10 years. Prior to Counterfeit, in her position as Director of Canadian & International Programming at Just For Laughs, Zoe was responsible for finding and booking the best comedy talents from across Canada and from around the world. Scouting talent year-round, Zoe programmed countless festivals, tours, and TV productions. The scope of her scouting was enormous, and included cross-Canada showcases yearly as well as internationally, at the Edinburgh Fringe and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. In the past two years, she assembled and worked with hundreds of comedians to create more than 25 audio albums under the Just For Laughs Originals label. She has been a producer on the Counterfeit / Just For Laughs co-productions of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy), Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC), The Stand Up Show (CTV Comedy) and a variety of stand-up specials for Crave. Zoe’s passion and enthusiasm for Canadian comedy is her focus as she seeks out unique and funny voices to collaborate with.
About Counterfeit Pictures
Counterfeit Pictures was established by Anton Leo, Shane Corkery and Dan Bennett. Their credits include the award-winning Sunnyside (CityTV/FX Canada), Dark Cargo (YouTube Premium) and the mockumentary Decoys (CBC Gem). They have also produced, in association with Just For Laughs, six stand-up comedy specials, including Mark Forward Wins All the Awards and Debra Digiovanni: Here’s the Thing (Crave). Most recently, they co-produced a new season of The Stand-up Show with Jon Dore (CTV Comedy), three seasons of Roast Battle Canada (CTV Comedy) and Comedy Night with Rick Mercer (CBC). They are currently in post-production on Shelved from creator Anthony Q Farrell (CTV).