The ECNY Awards were created in 2003 by Derek Gordon to honor rising stars in the New York Comedy world in various genres, including sketch, stand up, improv, musical comedy acts, and video. Nominees are selected by New York audiences and an Industry Committee, and the general public votes online to determine the winners, who are announced at an awards show gala each year.

After a one year hiatus in 2006, the awards were produced by a new production team consisting of Alex Goldberg, Jon Friedman, Carol Hartsell, Nate Sloan, and Alex Zalben. In 2010, Alex Goldberg left the team and Kambri Crews

Kambri Crews

Kambri Crews is an American comedic storyteller based in New York City and author of Burn Down the Ground, a memoir of her chaotic childhood with deaf parents...

 was added as an Executive Producer.

Previous winners of ECNY Awards include Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll

Nick Kroll is an American actor and comedian best known for appearing in television shows such as Best Week Ever, Cavemen and Sit Down, Shut Up. He co-stars in the shows The Life & Times of Tim and The League....

 (Best One-Person Show 2007), Kristen Schaal

Kristen Schaal

Kristen Schaal is an American actress, writer and comedienne, best known for her role as Mel in the HBO series Flight of the Conchords, as Louise in Bob's Burgers and as a contributor on The Daily Show.-Early life:...

 (Best Female Stand Up Comedian, 2007), Eugene Mirman

Eugene Mirman

Eugene Boris Mirman is a Russian-born American comedian, writer, and filmmaker. Mirman currently plays Yvgeny Mirminsky on Delocated, and voices Gene Belcher for the animated comedy Bob's Burgers.-Early life:Mirman was born in Russia to Jewish parents...

 and Michael Showalter

Michael Showalter

Michael English Showalter is an American comedian, actor, writer, and director. He is a member of the sketch comedy trio Stella. Showalter first came to recognition as a cast member on MTV's The State, which aired from 1993 to 1995...

 (Best Host, 2007), Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari

Aziz Ansari is an American actor, writer, and stand-up comedian. He currently stars as Tom Haverford on the NBC show Parks and Recreation....

 (Best Male Stand Up, 2005), Reggie Watts

Reggie Watts

Reggie Watts is a Seattle-based comedian and musician. His shows are mostly improvised and consist of stream of consciousness stand-up in various shifting personae, mixed with loop pedal-based a cappella compositions. He also performs regularly on television, radio, and in live theater...

 (Best Musical Comedy Act, 2008), and Mike Birbiglia

Mike Birbiglia

-Professional work:Birbiglia has released three albums, including My Secret Public Journal Live, which was named one of the best comedy albums of the decade by the Onion AV Club....

 (Best Male Stand Up, 2003). The 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award went to Eddie Brill

Eddie Brill

Eddie Brill is an American comedian, writer, and actor who started his career in Boston, Massachusetts. He is also the warm-up comedian and talent coordinator of Late Show with David Letterman. He tours frequently, performing in the US as well as England, Ireland, France, Australia, Amsterdam, and...

, and the 2008 Award went to the writing staff of Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Late Night with Conan O'Brien

Late Night with Conan O'Brien is an American late-night talk show hosted by Conan O'Brien that aired 2,725 episodes on NBC between 1993 and 2009. The show featured varied comedic material, celebrity interviews, and musical and comedy performances. Late Night aired weeknights at 12:37 am...

.