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Explore the program
The Festival Precinct at Carriageworks absolutely comes alive in May with events running from early until late. Our evening events range from performances and debates to fireside storytelling and panel discussions. Whether you're looking for entertainment, discussions covering topics as broad as the history of human sexuality and the African diaspora, deep-dives into beloved genres like romance or crime fiction or a good ol' debate about the value of books, there is something for you at the Festival after dark.
Thursday night highlights
Thursday is the first full-day at Carriageworks and the evening is jam-packed with local favourites and international sensations. Fantasy has taken the world by storm with plenty of readers embracing a bit of magic in their stories. In Fantastical Worlds, three fantasy connoisseurs discuss the genre and its popularity while Aussie Crime All-Stars brings together local crime fiction writers to consider what makes their take on the genre unique.
Sweatshop and Bankstown Poetry Slam are Sydney literary institutions and both have performances on Thursday night with writers taking the stage to share their powerful voices. Or head out to the Blacksmith's Workshop for a free fireside storytelling session with First Nations writers curated by Guest Curator Jazz Money.
Friday night highlights
Our Festival isn't just about novels, but storytelling in all forms. On Friday night, hear from journalist Alisa Sopova and photographer Anastasia Taylor-Lind whose documentary photography project, 5km From the Frontline, captures the everyday existence of people in Ukraine's war zone. Or join historians Esmé Louise James and David Baker as they explore the history of human sexuality in History of Sex.
Festival favourite Queerstories returns this year with another line-up of writers ready to share their humorous and heart-warming stories while FEAST brings writers together to share their hilarious food-themed stories with host Jennifer Wong.
But, we are a writers' festival, after all, so those more novel-inclined can hear from esteemed writer Charlotte Wood and her new favourite writer Emily Perkins or answer the burning question, Do We Need Books?
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Saturday night highlights
If you love zeitgeist-y conversations then Saturday is full of events for you. James Colley and Jonathan Seidler discuss the wildly popular genre of romance as they debut their romantic novels and 'sad girl' novel experts Madeleine Gray, Jessie Stephens and Nadine J. Cohen join forces to unpack the publishing phenomenon. True crime enthusiasts will be glad to hear that Jake Adelstein's Tokyo Vice, which exposed the criminal underbelly of Tokyo and was adapted for HBO, has a follow-up in Tokyo Noir.
In Speak the Light, poets share language's power to bring clarity in confusing times and Booker Prize longlistee Sebastian Barry will join the Festival via video link in a very special event that includes a performance from ACO.
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