COMEDIES may be getting the last laugh at the Berlin International Film Festival. While plenty of dramas are being sold at the European Film Market this year, it’s the slew of buzzy comedies with A-list talent that have buyers clamoring for lighter, funny fare.

    The first big sale of the festival was for a comedy: The George Clooney-helmed “Suburbicon,” a dark comedy about a quiet neighborhood that gets caught up in a web of betrayal and paranoia, was scooped up by Paramount in a big US$10 million deal for U.S. rights.

    With stars Matt Damon and Julianne Moore attached, the package is expected to do strong sales internationally as well.

    Among other high-profile comedies attracting buyers is “Drunk Parents,” starring Salma Hayek and Alec Baldwin.

    Like “Drunk Parents,” other hot properties all come with notable comedic talent attached, including just-announced project “An Ideal Home,” which stars Paul Rudd and Steve Coogan as a troubled married couple.

    Other buzzy packages with notable talent include “The Brits Are Coming” featuring Uma Thurman and Sofia Vergara; “The Clapper” with Ed Helms; “Tom’s Dad” starring Will Ferrell; and “The Big Sick,” which is written by and will star Kumail Nanjiani (“Silicon Valley”) and is being produced by Judd Apatow.

    (SD-Agencies)