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Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2025

Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) returns this October with five days of bold conversations, big names and fresh perspectives. This year’s programme features 46 speakers tackling the biggest questions shaping our world – from power and politics to parenthood, identity, resilience and equality in sport. Expect headline appearances from Chuck D, David Baddiel, Caitlin Moran, Sally Wainwright OBE, Vicky McClure MBE, Fara Williams MBE, Victoria Derbyshire, and many more.

CAFÉ ECONOMIQUE: The world in 2030. A Talk by Professor Paul Rogers, Emeritus Professor of Peace Studies at Bradford University

The talk will cover the changing causes of international conflict, the relevance of marginalisation, military-industrial complexes and especially climate breakdown and how the risk of further conflict can be limited.

About Paul Rogers

Joshua Van Leader - Inspire to Inspire - Beyond the Game: A Fireside Chat on Mental Health & Resilience with Larry Budd, Stevie Ward plus Kruise Leeming

Join us for an incredibly special evening as we gather for a warm and open Fireside Chat, stepping Beyond the Game to explore the vital topic of mental health and resilience, expertly hosted by Larry Budd. Larry will be joined by panel guests Stevie Ward and Kruise Leeming.

Larry Budd (Host)

Breaking barriers to Net Zero: Practical insights for SMEs

Join us for an insightful lecture on navigating the journey to net zero. Discover the business risks of climate change, explore the challenges faced by SMEs and practical steps to take action, with real-world case studies and expert insights.

Climate change is reshaping the business landscape, from financial risks and supply chain pressures to increasing disclosure demands. Beyondly’s sustainability experts will unpack the latest insights and provide practical guidance on starting your Net Zero journey.

50 Years On: Caribbean women and the Chapeltown Bonfire Night incident of 1975

On the 5 November 1975, around one hundred mostly Black male youngsters clashed with police on the streets of Chapeltown. Within the aftermath twelve children and young men were arrested and charged, many of whom faced decades in prison. They became known as the Bonfire Twelve, and their campaign for justice fostered solidarity as well as disunity within Chapeltown. 

An Evening of Zombies & Black Humour with Leigh Radford

Join Leigh Radford as she delves into One Yellow Eye, her darkly funny, debut novel; a zombie thriller set in London. The book is full of heartbreak, revulsion and black humour.

Leigh will tell us more about her transition from broadcast media to writing a horror novel, described by the Times as, ‘Snort-inducingly funny . . . One for those with strong stomachs and big hearts.’

About the Book

A scientist desperately searches for a cure to a zombie virus while also hiding a monumental secret.

An Evening celebrating Northern Gothic with Andrew Michael Hurley and Michael Stewart

In Halloween week, two writers at the pinnacle of their craft explore myth, place and meaning and our darkest imaginings.

Two writers get together to discuss all things folk horror, macabre and menace! We can’t wait for this meeting of minds as these two authors chat and tell us more about their new books and the work that goes into researching and writing them.

Burning An Illusion

Set against the backdrop of Thatcher’s London, Burning an Illusion follows the story of a young Black woman in England becoming increasingly frustrated with her life and with her lazy, demanding boyfriend. With the help of friends, she seeks something better.

This special screening will be introduced by the late director's daughter, Khemi Shabazz.

Part of Menelik Shabazz: Rebel Generation – a special HPPH season this Black History Month, celebrating a true pioneer of Black British filmmaking.

Leeds Filmmaker Network

We are teaming up with our friends at Studio 12 and the INDIs Film Fest to bring you a new and exciting networking opportunity to help support and connect with aspiring filmmakers in our local region. 

Whether you’re straight out of university, already working within the industry or making films on the side, we hope this event will be a fun, inclusive and accessible way to make new connections, find inspiration and watch some amazing new films.

For our next event, we will be joined by writer, director, producer Louisa Rose Mackleston.

HPPH Architecture Talk with Page\Park

Join Mark Johnston, architect behind the exciting redevelopment of the Hyde Park Picture House, to hear about how Page\Park Architects approach regeneration projects in sensitive historic contexts. Mark will give a special behind-the-scenes look at the Picture House redevelopment and insight into some of the complex challenges that were overcome during the works.