Festival Programme

Join literary agents Jemima Forrester, Meredith Miller, and Oli Munson as they reveal what agents seek, what to avoid, and how to make your manuscript stand out.

Join evolutionary biologist Neil Shubin for Your Inner Fish, a fun, lighthearted look at how our bodies reveal our ancient aquatic ancestors, with quirky anecdotes and surprising science about evolution in every bone.

Hoda Barakat is a novelist who has turned text into a home spacious enough for love, exile, and wounds. In this session, we delve into her works, which consistently explore her ability to unify her homeland, Lebanon, through various forms of pain.

Join writer-illustrator Sharon King-Chai for Hello Sun, an interactive sensory play session for children under four, full of colour, sound, and imaginative fun for little ones and their families.

The Little Journalist with Mohamed Fathi. Every answer turns into a bigger question, allowing children to delve into a world of curiosity and wonder. Let's discover the power of questioning in opening the doors to knowledge, adventure, and continuous learning.

The first Gulf story comes alive in a session with writers Abdulwahab Alhammadi, Hasan Madan, Maryam AlZarooni, and Mohammed Alhebsi. Relive tales of diving and travel, and explore how life before oil shaped the region’s cultural identity and collective memory.

Who gets to tell whose story? Vaseem Khan, Ali AlShaali ​and Bettany Hughes explore cultural identity, history, and authorship in a powerful discussion on storytelling, truth, and the ethics of representation.

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Learn what makes an irresistible hook from the mentors of the First Chapter: ELF Seddiqi Writers’ Fellowship. The session concludes with the announcement of the names of the fifth cohort of fellows.

Join BAFTA-nominated Brothers McLeod for the heroic and hilarious adventures of Knight Sir Louis, with storytelling, animation, and a magical behind-the-scenes look at bringing tales to life.

After a decade travelling to 203 countries without flying, Thor Pedersen brings The Impossible Journey to the Emirates LitFest, with stories that pushed him to the brink, testing his sanity, finances, and friendships.  

Join Joanna Barakat as she explores how Palestinian embroidery, also known as tatreez, has become a contemporary visual language across art forms, documenting heritage, resistance, and identity

A crime, a detective, and a baffling case investigated by a detective with a supernatural ability to communicate with the spirits of the dead! Join author Mirna El Mahdy in one of the most mysterious sessions and try to uncover the killer.

Create your own imaginary heroes with Dr. Bashayer Alatrouzi. Children discover story characters and reshape them to create their own worlds. Let's bring adventures full of imagination, fun, and surprise to life.

Grab your pencils for a fun-filled session with award-winning illustrator Rob Biddulph, creator of #DrawWithRob. Enjoy stories, laughter, and step-by-step tips as you create your own masterpiece!

How are Gulf women turning sport into a platform for ambition? Jessica Smith and Fatima Al Bluoshi share stories of grit, success, and breaking barriers, inspiring the next generation of female athletes.

Join authors Aube Rey Lescure, Eowyn Ivey, Keshava Guha, and Michael Pedersen as they explore creating unforgettable fictional landscapes and how place shapes story and character.

Writer Ali AlShaali takes us on a reflective journey through the fragility of reputation and the resilience of love, redefining fatherhood and daughterhood through his new novel My Name is Alia, and This is My Father.

Explore imagination, curiosity, and artistic discovery with award-winning author-illustrator Oliver Jeffers in this in-depth conversation on storytelling, creativity, and seeing the world with wonder.

Fasten Your Seatbelts and Embark on an Adventure with Noura Al Khoori!A fun-filled session for children inspired by the book Please Fasten Your Seatbelts. Kids will experience their first journey through interactive activities and engaging storytelling, learning the steps of travel from the airport to the airplane, and taking part in games and stories drawn from the fascinating world of aviation.