16 September 2025
Leeds International Festival of Ideas – One Month To Go
Jamie Jones Buchanan
Fresh faces and a new youth strand announced for LIFI25
Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) is one month away, returning with a bold programme of talks, debates and live events exploring the ideas shaping our world.
The countdown begins with two exciting announcements: additions to this year’s Can Mums Have It All? and Who Picks Up the Tab for a Hospitable City? panels, plus a brand-new strand designed to inspire the next generation – say hello to Young LIFI.
Presenter, speaker, and founder of Well Woman Club, Annie Price joins Myleene Klass MBE on Can Mums Have It All?, a candid conversation on modern motherhood and the mental load.
Joanna Reeve, UK Director at Intrepid Travel, joins Fred Sirieix, LeedsBID Chief Executive Andrew Cooper and fellow experts on Who Picks Up the Tab for a Hospitable City? Jo has worked at Intrepid for over 12 years, leading its UK business and championing responsible adventure travel.
Brand new for 2025, Young LIFI is a festival strand created to inspire and educate younger audiences, co-curated with The Ruth Gorse Academy.
The debut event asks: How do young people acquire bouncebackability? In a world flooded with negative noise, from social media and the news to pressures at school, how can they tackle challenges, defy stereotypes and recover stronger from setbacks? Taking place on Friday, 17 October from 12:30-2pm, it is a schools event and is by invitation only.
Hosted by BBC Newsround presenter Shanequa Paris, the panel brings together inspirational voices from sport, broadcasting, social media, fundraising and mental health, including rugby league legend and newly appointed Chief Executive of Leeds Rhinos Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE and Ami Charles, social media personality and motivational speaker.
LIFI25, brought to the city by LeedsBID, spans five days at Leeds Playhouse from 14th-18th October, with 48 speakers, including headline appearances from Chuck D, David Baddiel, Vicky McClure MBE, Caitlin Moran, Sally Wainwright OBE, Fara Williams MBE, Victoria Derbyshire, William Hanson, and many more.
From power and politics to parenthood, identity and resilience, LIFI25 promises to be the most urgent and inspiring edition yet.
Tickets are limited and on sale now at leedsintfest.com.
“This year, we’re opening up the conversation to younger audiences with the launch of Young LIFI. Resilience and mental health are among the most important issues for the next generation, and by creating a platform for role models to share their stories, we hope to equip young people with tools to face challenges head-on. Leeds is a city of voices and it’s vital that our younger voices are part of that.”Martin Dickson
Leeds International Festival of Ideas Festival Director