Fresh faces and a new youth strand announced for LIFI25

Leeds International Festival of Ideas – One Month To Go

Festival takes place October 14th – 18th October 2025

Leeds International Festival of Ideas (LIFI) is just under one month away, returning from Tuesday 14 – Saturday 18 October 2025 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.

New panellists announced

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.

Meanwhile, Joanna Reeve, UK Director at Intrepid Travel, joins Fred Sirieix 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. A former TV and media professional, she now balances her career with life by the coast and countryside alongside her young family.

Young LIFI: Building Bouncebackability

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, 12:30 -14:00, this event 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:
• Jamie Jones Buchanan MBE – rugby league legend and newly appointed Chief Executive of Leeds Rhinos.

• Dr Radha Modgil – NHS GP, broadcaster and wellbeing expert

• Matthew Akpan – entrepreneur, educator and advocate for young people

• Ami Charles – social media personality and motivational speaker

Martin Dickson, Festival Director, said:
“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.”

One month to go

#LIFI25 has become the fastest-selling festival to date, with the full programme spanning five days at Leeds Playhouse and 46 speakers, with 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.