56 speakers. 5 days. 14 events. Over 6,000 of you.

Thank you for coming to #LIFI26. Here’s the week in one film 🎬

"We lead with our scars" Tim Minchin

Tim Minchin and Larry Budd closed #LIFI26 on creativity among the chaos 🎹 Thank you, Leeds. See you next year.

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

"We don't need to fight for a space, there's a space for all of us" - Ash Palmisciano

Samira Ahmed, Afua Hirsch, Ashley James, James O'Brien and Ash Palmisciano on what it means to belong in Britain today

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26

“We need an informed discussion of what being a parent is like” – Dr SJ Beard

Laura Hamilton, Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran, Betty Mukherjee, Olivia Bentley and Johnny I'Anson on whether kids are still part of the plan 👶

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26

Day 4 at #LIFI26 ✅

LIFI Futures wrapped, we went back to the 90s, then asked if it’s time to switch off social media 📱

Final day today at Leeds Playhouse 🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com

📆 FINAL DAY | #LIFI26 📆

We're finishing with whether kids are still part of the plan, a conversation about belonging, and Tim Minchin closing the festival in the Quarry Theatre.

See you soon 👀

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🎟️ Link in bio

#LIFI26

“Festival culture changed things in the 90s. Politically there was change in the air too.” - Miranda Sawyer

Miranda Sawyer, Harriet Harman, Judge Jules, Jason McGann and Denise van Outen on what the 90s really did to us 📼

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26

"Concerns around social media have existed for a long time"
Dr Sophie Bishop

Is it time to switch off social media? Joe Tidy, Dr Sophie Bishop, Mark Farid, Katy Leeson and Tulisa debated it. You're reading this on X 📱

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26

Day 3 of #LIFI26 ✅

“Environmental issues are human issues. No matter where you live, you deserve to be able to sit under a nice tree.” – Dr Mya-Rose Craig

“It used to overtake me, but now it’s my superpower.” – Tasha Ghouri

Two days to go

📆 DAY FOUR | #LIFI26 📆

Being yourself, switching off, and working out what the 90s actually did to us. Friday's got range.

Here's the menu 👇
📍 Leeds Playhouse
🎟️ Link in bio

#LIFI26 #Leeds

"When something happens and a door closes, there's always another way" - Dame Evelyn Glennie

Dame Evelyn Glennie and Tasha Ghouri joined Dr Hannah French on succeeding in a world not built for you🎤

For more 👉 leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26 #Welcometoleeds

"We’re not living through climate change, we’re living through climate breakdown.” – Chris Packham

Chris Packham, Dr Mya-Rose Craig and Juergen Maier CBE on climate fatigue, inaction and what still gives us hope 🌍

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26

Day 2 of #LIFI26. LIFI Futures, Rachel Riley MBE, the hardest conversation of the week on suicide, and Elizabeth Day. Hectic. Powerful. Three days to go.

Samaritans: 116 123, free, any time.

📍 @LeedsPlayhouse 🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com

📆 DAY THREE | #LIFI26 📆

Halfway already. Today it's careers advice nobody gave you at school, Tasha Ghouri and Dame Evelyn Glennie in conversation, and Chris Packham, Dr Mya-Rose Craig and Juergen Maier on a planet that hasn't stopped burning.

#LIFI26

On Day 2 of #LIFI26, Jamil Qureshi hosted an honest and candid discussion with podcaster Elizabeth
Day about the balance between success and failure and how we can be better humans by learning from our mistakes.

leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…
#LIFI26  #Leedsbid #LeedsPlayhouse

Presenter Amy Irons, Andy Airey MBE, Roman Kemp, Donelle Lawrence, Professor Rory O’Connor and Ellie Palma-Cass brought the difficult subject of suicide forward in conversation.
Samaritans: call 116 123

leedsinternationalfestival.com/?p=5123&previe…
#LIFI26 #LeedsBID #Welcometoleeds #Leedsplayhouse

"You're not on TV to be nicey nicey. I wanna get out there and do something messed up and weird." – @louistheroux

Harriet Rose turned the tables on Louis to open #LIFI26: 30+ years of the weird, the wonderful and the depraved 🎤

Takeaways 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com/top-takeaways-…

📆 DAY TWO | #LIFI26 📆

A full one today. Apprenticeships, maths, one of the most important conversations of the week, and Elizabeth Day making the case that failure is an option.

Here's what's on 👇

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🎟️ Link in bio

#LIFI26 #Leeds #ConversationsThatInspire

📆 DAY ONE | #LIFI26 📆

We're back. Five days, a lot of big questions, and it all starts tonight with Louis Theroux opening the festival in the Quarry Theatre.

Inside the Louisphere, 8pm. 
See you there 👀

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🎟️ SOLD OUT

#LIFI26 #Leeds

Tomorrow.

Five days, a lot of big questions, and Louis Theroux opening it all in the Quarry Theatre at 8pm.

#LIFI26 starts tomorrow. See you at the Playhouse 👀

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🗓️ 6 to 10 October
🎟️ Link in bio

#LIFI26 #Leeds #ConversationsThatInspire

LIFITV is back.

Speakers, audiences, and whatever happens between the two. We're filming at Leeds Playhouse all week, so keep an eye out for the camera.

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🗓️ 6 to 10 October

#LIFI26 #LIFITV #Leeds

🚨 EXCLUSIVE 🚨 And for once, Tulisa's telling it herself.

Tabloids wrote Tulisa's story in 2013. Now we all have a megaphone. Who gets to tell your story?

Tulisa joins Is it time to switch off social media? at #LIFI26
📅 Fri 9 Oct
📍 Leeds Playhouse
🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/is-it-ti…

7 days to go. Leeds International Festival of Ideas is back at @LeedsPlayhouse, 6 to 10 October 🎟️

Full programme and tickets: leedsinternationalfestival.com/programme/

#LIFI26

1 in 8 young people in the UK are now NEET. Why is getting a job so hard, and who is to blame? Final LIFI Futures addition: What no one told you about getting a job. Lloyds, Morrisons, NHS, Jet2 and Mushy Asghar, hosted by Rima Ahmed. Thu 8 Oct, 11am. #LIFI26 #LIFIFutures

Final additions to LIFI Futures revealed. First up: Why does no one talk about apprenticeships? Yorkshire Post, Leeds City College, Weightmans and Morrisons on the panel, hosted by Larry Budd.

Wed 7 Oct, 11am, Leeds Playhouse. Free for schools and colleges. #LIFI26 #LIFIFutures

Former Siemens UK boss. Chair of Great British Energy. And he thinks we stopped talking about the climate at the worst possible moment.

Professor Juergen Maier CBE on why he's looking forward to LIFI26 👇

How to be unapologetically you? is a LIFI Futures panel for young people on owning your identity. Shanequa Paris hosts Tasha Ghouri, Dr Radha Modgil, Ash Palmisciano and Stevie Ward.

#LIFI26 #LIFIFutures

Today is World Suicide Prevention Day. Today we are releasing a film. In 2024, David’s daughter Molly died by suicide. In Molly’s Dad, he talks about her life, her last days, and the letter she left him.

🔗 leedsinternationalfestival.com/mollys-dad-a-n…

New: Are kids still part of the plan? at #LIFI26: Olivia Bentley (Made in Chelsea) and Johnny I'Anson (BBC Radio 5 Live) join host Laura Hamilton, Dr SJ Beard, Yousra Samir Imran and Betty Mukherjee.

📍 Leeds Playhouse 🗓️ Sat 10 Oct, 2pm
🎟️ Selling fast: leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/are-kids…

🚨 ONE MONTH TO GO 🚨

Some people wait for answers. We'd rather chase the questions.

One month until Leeds fills up with them.

📍 Leeds Playhouse
🗓️ 6 to 10 October
leedsinternationalfestival.com/programme/

A community interest company. A generation of young men nobody was reaching. A conversation most of us still don't know how to start.

Donelle Lawrence of The Brave Project on why she's looking forward to LIFI26.

You'll read this on your phone. You check it over 100 times a day. Not judging, so do we.

Joe Tidy hosts Megan McKenna, Katy Leeson, Dr Sophie Bishop and Mark Farid, asking if it's time to switch it all off.

Fri 9 Oct, Leeds Playhouse 🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/is-it-ti…

"It's a question a lot of people are worried about."

Dr Sophie Bishop, University of Leeds, author of Influencer Creep, advised Parliament on influencer culture — on whether it's time to switch off.

Fri 9 Oct, Leeds Playhouse. Selling fast
🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/is-it-ti…

When someone is really struggling, most of us don't know what to say. So we say nothing.

Roman Kemp, Prof Rory O'Connor and Andy Airey of 3 Dads Walking, hosted by Amy Irons.

Not an easy conversation. That's why it's worth having.

On Friday night, every phone in England and Wales went off. Wildfires. Don't light anything.

It's Monday. Have you thought about it since? That's the entire point. Chris Packham, Dr Mya-Rose Craig and Juergen Maier, Leeds Playhouse, Thu 8 Oct. #LIFI26

🎟️ leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/the-plan…

"Failure isn't the opposite of success. It's part of it."
Performance psychologist @JamilQureshi on why getting it wrong is the fastest route to getting it right and why he can't wait for #LIFI26.

He hosts Elizabeth Day, Wed 7 Oct, Quarry Theatre.

Dame Evelyn Glennie + Tasha Ghouri (Love Island, Strictly), hosted by Dr Hannah French.
Two worlds, one story: when the world isn't built for you, you decide that's the world's problem.
🎟 Tickets leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/strength…

🆕 Is maths the root of everything? 🧮

To celebrate Leeds becoming the UK's first ever City of Maths, Countdown's Rachel Riley MBE hosts a panel revealing how maths shapes everything from music to disease modelling to space.

📣 JUST ANNOUNCED: Tasha Ghouri joins the line-up.

The presenter, entrepreneur and deaf advocate (2M+ followers, Love Island, Strictly) joins Dame Evelyn Glennie for Strength Beyond the Silence — a conversation on breaking barriers and redefining strength.

This is #LIFI26.

Louis Theroux. Elizabeth Day. A reckoning with the 90s. A hard look at who belongs in Britain now. Ten nights. Conversations that inspire. 

Leeds Playhouse, 6 to 10 Oct. Priority tickets 4 June 9am.
leedsinternationalfestival.com

Something big is coming to Leeds this October.

The full #LIFI26 line-up drops soon, and subscribers find out first, with first access to tickets. Get on the list 👇
leedsinternationalfestival.com

A heads-up: the #LIFI26 line-up lands 3 June. Some events are likely to sell out during priority access.

Newsletter subscribers go first → leedsinternationalfestival.com

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…

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

🎬 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…

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…

🎥 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!

📆 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 👀

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 🫶

📆 TODAY'S SCHEDULE 📆

A little something new for your Friday! Lunch brings our first EVER Young LIFI with Ruth Grose Academy, and tonight we’re diving into all things etiquette and mums.

See you soon 👀

🎥 Day 2 highlights from #LIFI25 at @leedsplayhouse, from hip-hop Tuesday to punk rock Wednesday! 2 very inspiring events. Join us for more ideas and powerful conversations 🫶

📆 TODAY'S SCHEDULE 📆

We’re over the halfway mark at #LIFI25 as Day 3 arrives! Here’s what’s happening today — it’s a big one, from daytime sessions to a lively Thursday night 💡

See you soon 👀

🎥 Day 1 highlights from #LIFI25 at @leedsplayhouse — inspiring ideas, powerful conversations, and plenty to think about 🫶

📆 TODAY'S SCHEDULE 📆

#LIFI25 Day 2 and another sold out day! While our speakers and hosts are arriving at @leedsplayhouse, you will be waiting for the full schedule of the talks today.

See you soon! 💬

📆 TODAY’S SCHEDULE 📆

It’s finally here, #LIFI25 has officially begun!
Here’s what’s on today 👇 Don’t forget to visit our pop-up Waterstones bookshop at @LeedsPlayhouse  and check out the LIFI25 merch stall while you’re there.

See you soon 👀

1 day to go until #LIFI25 begins!
Ideas. Inspiration. Conversation. Leeds, are you ready? 💭🔥
leedsinternationalfestival.com

Guess what? You can finally take a piece of #LIFI25 home with you! 🎉

Exclusive LIFI merch will be available on event days, so why not pop by the Playhouse Kitchen (Level 2) before or after your event to grab yours? Every purchase supports the future of the festival 🙌

🎤 We hit the streets to chat about some of the big topics from this year’s festival — from who should foot the bill for major events, to music, creativity, and modern manners (is the 👍 emoji passive-aggressive?) #LIFITV #LIFI25

New to @LeedsPlayhouse? This stunning space will be the stage for #LIFI25.

We can’t wait to welcome you, so familiarise yourself with the different spaces.

#LIFI25 authors. In Rebel Ideas, @matthewsyed argues that he ability to think differently is our greatest tool for tackling complex challenges. From unravelling the CIA’s thinking before 9/11 to Everest’s tragic miscommunications, are powerful, real‑world insight.

🎶 “Music is medicine.”

Andrew Edwards speaks with Duncan from The Piano on how music offers hope for dementia.

👉 Watch the full interview: leedsinternationalfestival.com/finding-hope-w… 

#LIFI25 #MusicIsMedicine #ThePiano

#LIFI25 speakers who do good books. How to Be a Woman by @caitlinmoran delivers razor‑sharp humour. As The Guardian puts it: “A book that might as well have been subtitled ‘common sense, with some very good jokes.’”

#LIFI25 takes on brave subjects. The content of this video discusses themes that are emotionally challenging around abuse and personal experience of abuse, violence and suicide. 

Watch this powerful chat in full 👉 leedsinternationalfestival.com/conversations-…

💡 New for 2025: Young LIFI

In partnership with @gorse_ruth, this strand gives young people a voice + tools for resilience in a noisy world. We can't wait to explore this 👉 leedsinternationalfestival.com/event/how-do-y… #LIFI25.

The countdown is ON ⏳

Just ONE MONTH until #LIFI25 kicks off!
🎤 Big voices.
💡 Big ideas.
👉 Watch the film + join us: leedsinternationalfestival.com

In Cuckooland, @tomburgis dives into the murky world where oligarchs, fixers, and courtiers play fast and loose with narrative control. 

His #LIFI25 session may be sold out, but this page-turning thriller of real-world corruption is your next best seat.

✨ Kicking off a brand-new series in the lead-up to #LIFI25 next month!

Here’s a clip from Conversations from LIFI25 🎤 featuring @WOKEUPWORLD in conversation with @larrybudd1.

🎥 Watch the full interview 👉 leedsinternationalfestival.com/conversations-…

Sam McAlister’s Scoops isn’t just a memoir, it’s a masterclass in persuasion, grit, and journalistic daring. From booking Stormy Daniels to pulling off the seismic Prince Andrew interview that ignited a media storm, McAlister pulls back the curtain on how news is really made.