Leeds International Festival of Ideas

We're thrilled to reveal the first three names for #LIFI26 🎤 🎹 Tim Minchin 📚 Ashley James 🐦 Dr Mya-Rose Craig Leeds Playhouse, 6–10 October 2026. Subscriber priority sale 4 June, general sale 10 June. Full story 👇 leedsinternationalfestival.com/first-three-na…

After the stage. After the applause. With wine 🍷 LIFITV catches up with Claire Warren, Joeli Brearley and Annie Price following Can Mums Have It All? an honest, unfiltered post-talk conversation about motherhood, work and reality. 🎥 Watch & read: leedsinternationalfestival.com/lifitv-can-mum…

Before the stage, before the spotlight. LIFITV caught up with William Hanson backstage at #LIFI25 to talk Leeds, northern roots and why manners still matter at home and around the world. 🎥 Watch & read: leedsinternationalfestival.com/etiquette-leed…  #LIFITV #LIFI25 #MannersCostNowt #Etiquette

Before the stage. Before the debate. In this LIFITV backstage chat, David talks about atheism and why he wanted to be part of this event. not a book tour, not a literary festival, but a bigger conversation. 🎥 leedsinternationalfestival.com/religion-athei…  #LIFITV #LIFI25 #ReligionAndSociety

LIFITV is back! 👋 Who pays for a hospitable city? LIFITV sits down with hospitality and tourism leaders after their #LIFI25 talk to explore rising costs, careers in hospitality and the future of city centres. 🎥 Watch & read here 👇 leedsinternationalfestival.com/who-pays-for-a…

What happens after the applause fades? LIFITV caught up with Sally, Tamsin and Gaynor moments after I Predict a Riot at #LIFI25. Watch the full backstage conversation 👇 🔗 leedsinternationalfestival.com/lifitv-i-predi…

🎬 LIFITV is here. A rare pre-show chat with Chuck D & Nihal, raw, honest, and full of energy. Watch the full episode 👇 leedsinternationalfestival.com/ahead-of-the-m…

🎬 LIFITV is coming… Ideas, stories, big questions and some of the most fascinating minds on the planet. Here’s your first look. Watch the trailer. Get ready.

What a year. What a festival. What an ideas movement 💭 #LIFI25 brought together thinkers, creators and changemakers from around the world and we’re not done yet. Watch the highlights 👇 PS 🎬 LIFITV coming soon…

'Why Leeds is taking a stand for women’s sport - and for every girl who dares to dream' Such an inspiring evening at @LeedsIntFest hearing @fara_williams47 @Brownskinjessie @VeritySmith19 @shebahn talk about levelling the playing field yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk/education/why-…

What a week. What a festival 💫 Thank you to our incredible speakers, @LeedsPlayhouse, the curious minds who filled every seat, and the team who brought #LIFI25 to life. We’re done for a year, but the ideas live on. More coming soon…

Hosted by Shebahn Aherne, “How Level Is the Playing Field?” #LIFI25 event brought together Emily Campbell, Professor Leanne Norman,  Verity Smith, and Fara Williams to explore equality in sport and how far it has to go. 🔗 Further info can be found here - leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

Finding Hope in Creativity: Music is Medicine celebrated how music can support people living with dementia at #LIFI25. Actor Vicky McClure joined Dr Nicky Taylor and Andrew Edwards to discuss the impact of Our Dementia Choir. 🔗 Find more info here-  leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

🎥 Highlights from the penultimate day at #LIFI25... From being sold lies as mums, to belly laughs, powerful conversations, and a gentle nudge to join the queue, it was a day to remember!

@MaggieM59892656 @RadioAndrewE @LeedsPlayhouse @OurDemChoir @Vicky_McClure It sure is tonight 🙂

@RadioAndrewE @LeedsIntFest @LeedsPlayhouse @OurDemChoir @Vicky_McClure Hope it goes really well ( is it this Saturday, tonight in fact?)

Thoroughly enjoyed launch event for @LeedsIntFest - very excited to be involved! There are still tickets for “Vicky McClure’s Our Dementia Choir: Finding hope in creativity – music is medicine”: leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/finding-… Saturday 7pm @LeedsPlayhouse @OurDemChoir @Vicky_McClure

📆 FINAL DAY – #LIFI25 📆 It’s the last day already, where did the time go?! We’re wrapping up with two of the most talked-about events of the festival 🔥 See you soon 👀

"Manners are just about being a pleasant, decent human being.” At today's #LIFI25 fireside conversation, Dr Kirsty Sedgman delved into William Hansen's way of thinking and how manners and etiquette can benefit all.  🔗 For more about the event - leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

Can women have it all? Can or do Mums even want it all? What even is 'all'?  At today's #LIFI25 panel, Myleene Klass led the heartfelt discussion on the realities of modern motherhood.  🔗 More info from the event can be found here on our journal section leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

Young LIFI was excitable, inspirational and refreshing.... 🔗 Find out more about the event and why over on our Journal leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

🎥 Day 3 highlights from #LIFI25 at @leedsplayhouse. 2 very important chats leave the audience in deep thought and inspiration. Join us for more ideas and powerful conversations 🫶