Leeds International Festival of Ideas Concludes After Five Days

October 21, 2025 Off By

Festival Brings Together Thousands to Discuss Key Social Issues

The Leeds International Festival of Ideas 2025 (LIFI25) concluded on 21 October after five days of events featuring a wide range of speakers and discussions. The festival, held in Leeds, attracted approximately 5,500 attendees and expanded to a five-day format for the first time.

LIFI25 hosted a variety of sessions covering topics such as mental health, modern motherhood, domestic abuse, and storytelling, with contributions from notable figures across arts, media, and academia.

Key Highlights and Themes

Keynote and Performances: The festival opened with a keynote address by Chuck D, who also engaged informally with attendees. The event featured performances and talks by writers and actors including Sally Wainwright, Tamsin Greig, and Gaynor Faye, focusing on themes like women’s roles in storytelling.
Mental Health and Social Issues: Discussions on men’s mental health were led by Caitlin Moran, while sessions on modern motherhood involved Myleene Klass MBE. Victoria Derbyshire hosted conversations on domestic abuse, aiming to raise awareness and empathy.
Community Engagement: The festival included a segment called Young LIFI, aimed at younger audiences. Students from the Ruth Gorse Academy participated in shaping the event and selecting speakers, contributing to the festival’s educational outreach.
Closing Event: The final day featured a performance by Our Dementia Choir, led by Vicky McClure, which was met with a standing ovation from the audience.

Festival Impact and Future

Martin Dickson, Festival Director, noted that the event demonstrated Leeds’ commitment to fostering conversation, creativity, and community engagement. The festival is recognised as one of the UK’s distinctive platforms for exploring ideas that address contemporary challenges.