Must-see events at Bradford Literature Festival 2026
From film screenings to comedy shows and political discussions, here are some highlights of the upcoming programme, running from 3 to 12 July
The Bradford Literature Festival is back for its 12th year, bringing together books, history, politics, faith and the arts in the west Yorkshire city. Running from 3 to 12 July, this year’s programme continues to reflect Bradford’s reputation as one of the country’s most culturally diverse places, with events exploring identity, migration, global affairs and creativity.
Here are our picks from this year’s programme.
Screening: A Separation
Iranian cinema takes centre stage with a screening of director Asghar Farhadi’s A Separation (2011). The film follows a Tehran couple whose marriage reaches breaking point as they disagree on whether to leave Iran in search of a better future or stay to care for an ageing parent. As their divorce unfolds, an incident sets in motion a chain of events that exposes deep divisions of class, faith and morality. A Separation won the Golden Bear at the Berlin Film Festival in 2011 and the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film in 2012, the first Iranian film to win an Oscar.
An Evening of Comedy
A regular fixture on the festival programme, this year’s comedy night brings together four of the UK’s most exciting standup comics. Ola Labib, known for her razor-sharp observations on race, faith and everyday life, joins comedian Eshaan Akbar, whose work draws on his British Asian identity and current affairs. Completing the line-up are Britain’s Got Talent finalist Jack Carroll and comedian and actor Desiree Burch.
Black History and the Forgotten Worlds of Islam
Black Muslim history takes the spotlight in this lecture by historian and scholar Shaykh Mustafa Briggs as he draws on his internationally acclaimed Beyond Bilal lecture series and bestselling book, which explores the often-forgotten histories and contributions of Black Muslim communities across Africa, the Middle East and beyond. From Timbuktu and the Mali Empire to the Ottoman world, the talk will challenge mainstream narratives and offer a deeper understanding of Islam’s global history.
What Does Britain Think it Is Now?
Ten years on from the Brexit referendum, questions of British identity and immigration remain as charged as ever. This discussion explores what it means to be British today, as those ideas continue to evolve in an increasingly diverse and politically divided country. Chaired by journalist Robert Nisbet, the panel features speakers Naz Shah, Labour MP for Bradford West, and priest and Labour life peer Lord Russell Rook.
Bangladeshis in Bradford: Stories of Migration, Community and Belonging
Bradford’s Bangladeshi community has played a central role in shaping the city’s identity. This conversation, hosted by writer and ethnographer Irna Qureshi, explores the research behind Dr Shaukat Ahmed’s book, Bangladeshis in Bradford on the experiences of first-generation migrants. Ahmed reflects on stories of migration, anti-racist organising, community activism and the networks that helped successive generations establish roots in the city.
Saima Mir: Deliverance book launch and walking tour
Calling all crime-fiction fans. Bradford-born writer Saima Mir returns to launch Deliverance, the latest installment in her Jia Khan thriller series. Alongside discussing the new novel, Mir will also lead a walking tour through Bradford, exploring the streets, landmarks and communities that inspire her fiction and revealing the real-life locations behind her character’s world.
9/11 and the World it Created
Nearly 25 years on, the legacy of 9/11 continues to shape our world. This panel explores how the attacks transformed foreign policy, expanded surveillance and changed media narratives about Muslim communities. Joining the discussion are journalist and writer Shahed Ezaydi, activist Nabeela Rasheed, historian Saeed Khan and Bradford University’s emeritus professor of peace studies, Paul Rogers.
The Living Script: Soraya Syed on Arabic Calligraphy
Internationally recognised calligrapher Soraya Syed explores the history of Arabic calligraphy, reflecting on its evolution from manuscripts to contemporary art. Syed will share insights into her own practice and discuss her specially commissioned holographic artwork now on display as part of Global Perspectives and Islamic calligraphy at Cartwright Hall.
