Festival of Dangerous Ideas in Sydney is designed to challenge and subvert the way we think. Across 10 days and multiple venues, FODI is packed with talks, films and behind-the-scenes excursions that are driven by ideas and a sense of open dialogue.
The Festival is meticulously curated, uninterested in outrage for its own sake, and instead focuses on ideas that are complicated and deserve greater insight.
FODI’s full program has just been released and is overflowing with topics guaranteed to blow up the group chat. Raising more than a few uncomfortable questions such as is Trump the cause or merely a symptom of a deeper issue in the USA? In our current world of diminishing attention spans does art and culture matter anymore? And in our multicultural society, is empathy over historical injustices killing our nation?
The main Festival weekend is 22–23 August at Carriageworks, with events happening at Sydney Town Hall and major cultural institutions across the city.
With some sessions already sold out, Festival of Dangerous Ideas 2026 is set to be a mammoth 10 days. Prepare to be challenged and dare to be curious.
The Festival of Dangerous Ideas will happen at various venues across Sydney from 20 – 30 August 2026.
For access to the full program and to purchase tickets head to the FODI website.
Image supplied by the Festival of Dangerous Ideas
