Day One of the Free Books Festival - join us for an incredible line-up of events, including activations from Gymshark, children’s workshops, explorations of South Asian Fashion, film screenings with award-winning directors (including an Oscar!), performances and our Gala Screening of The Kitchen at Hackney Picturehouse.
Our festival takes place across different spaces and rooms, see below for our full line-up of events all entirely free for you to attend!
The Playground
(1:30pm - 2:30pm)
An exploration of British South Asian Culture & Fashion with Coconut Residence & Muslim Sisterhood Join for an in-depth conversation about British South Asian diaspora identities, and the creatives bringing South Asian culture to the mainstream whilst preserving its authenticity, hosted by Ciaran Thapar.
(3pm - 4pm)
Gymshark
Join Gymshark’s fitness pros for a mid-festival wellness session.
(6pm - 7pm)
Storytelling on Screen with Somesuch – featuring Aneil Karia, Femi Ladi & Chris Watling
An hour of screenings and conversation about how filmmakers craft narratives in short & feature films, music videos and commercials – hosted by globally renowned production company Somesuch. Featuring Oscar-winning writer and director, Aneil Karia; acclaimed writer and director filmmaker, Femi Ladi, and Somesuch’s UK MD, Chris Watling.
(7:15pm - 8:15pm)
First Five: The People
Join Yomi Ṣode for an evening of conversation and vibes where, you! The audience are the guests. Arrive on the night and select from the following categories - Fave album, Book, Inspirational figure & Guilty pleasure! Then sit tight.
(8:30pm - 9:30pm)
Neoprene Genie at Free Books Festival
One hour curated by Tice Cin, a conceptual takeover from her interdisciplinary discovery vehicle Neoprene Genie. With VJing and mcing from Kareem Parkins-Brown. The visuals will include a short film screening from Mandisa Apena and graphics by Kareem. Featuring rising mc-producer 19floating, poetry from Tice and Mandisa and Kareem... Set to the energetic, club-driven and mystical musical backdrop of a DJ set from Tice Cin and babymoon.
Belly Full: Culture, Food and Storytelling Stage
(3pm - 4pm)
Savouring Stories: Celebrating heritage through the generations
Join writer Shani Akilah as she discusses ancestral connections and her Caribbean heritage followed by readings from her debut collection 'For Such a Time as This'. Hosted by John-Paul Kunrunmi. Enjoy some tasty snacks, kindly sponsored by Jamaican Creative Network.
The Library Stage
(10:30am - 11:30am) - Children’s Workshop
Cartoon Workshop with Ramzee Hassan
Brilliant Author and Illustrator of The Cheat Book Ramzee Hassan, will be sharing drawing cheats and tips in his cartoon workshop.
(12:00pm - 1:00pm)
Novel Narratives with Sophie Mackintosh and Priya Guns
An hour of readings and conversation, featuring stellar novelists: Sophie Mackintosh – author of The Water Cure, Blue Ticket & Cursed Bread – and Priya Guns, author of ‘Your Driver is Waiting’.
Hosted by arts journal, Somesuch Stories’ editor, Suze Olbrich – the event will focus on how storytelling works in short stories as well as novels, and devote time to audience questions.
(2pm - 3pm) - Children’s Workshop
Drawing and Storytelling Workshop with Denzell Dankwah
Join the amazing author and Illustrator Denzell Denkwah, of upcoming book series The Power Keepers -an action-packed graphic novel rooted in African mythology, that follows the protagonist Marcus' journey with his daring friends. Learn more about the story as well as participate in a drawing workshop!
(4:30pm - 5:00pm)
If My Words Had Wings with Danielle Jawando
Danielle Jawando, winner of the YA Book Prize 2023, in discussion about her latest novel that explores the criminal justice system and the power of hope.
Think Tank
(1:30pm - 2:30pm)
REBIRTH: FROM FILM TO COMIC with US.MAN.DERE (U.M.D)
A prelude to REBIRTH; U.M.D produced their debut graphic novel, based on REBIRTH, their award winning short film. The novel revisits the film's themes of unity, grief and resilience. With illustrations inspired by the traditions of comic book art and culture; hear from the team behind the comic as they discuss the process and approach they took to manifest the comic.
(2:45pm - 3:45pm)
Let This Radicalise You: Building Alternative Futures
Join Books Against Borders for an interactive workshop on resistance to the struggles of our times - from state violence on our streets to genocide and colonialism in Palestine, Sudan and around the world. We will be using Mariame Kaba and Kelly Hayes’ Let This Radicalize You: Organizing and the Revolution of Reciprocal Care - as well as the experiences and knowledge of organisers and attendees - to discuss how we can imagine and organise towards a world without prisons, police or borders.
(4pm - 5pm)
Telling Photographic Tales in Print – with Guest Editions & Somesuch Stories
Join brilliant London photo-book publisher, and book and magazine designer, Thomas Coombes of Guest Editions & Somesuch Stories’ editor and arts journalist, Suze Olbrich, as they discuss the infinite ways that visual narratives can be communicated in print. Audience questions about their own creative projects, magazine and book-making, and any other curiosities are welcome. Brought to you by Somesuch.
The Front Room
(Pop-in & Meet the Team)
Tony’s Chocolonely
Meet the team behind the iconic ethical chocolate brand Tony’s Chocolonely - learn about the power of storytelling-for-good through branding, how Tony’s are combatting modern-slavery in West Africa and what you as a consumer can do to support farmers. P.s. did somebody say free chocolate?
(All Weekend: 10:00am - 6:00pm)
Tapestry Weaving with Synonym Lab
Interactive pop-up installation for all to take part in throughout the weekend.
(All Weekend: 10:00am - 6:00pm)
Ninentendo Gaming Station
Come play some games and relax in our Front Room space!
(All Weekend)
Caleb Femi: Before Today Endz II (Exhibition)
A documentation of Deptford through a surrealist lens by Caleb Femi.
(All Weekend)
Summer is Ours (Exhibition)
Documenting Black British London, Summer is Ours is a visual archive of our summers.
Picturehouse Hackney (External to BSix)
(6:30pm - 8:30pm)
Free Books Festival Gala Screening of Netflix’s The Kitchen and Q&A
Join us for an off-site, special Gala screening of Netflix’s The Kitchen - starring Kano directed by Daniel Kaluuya. Come dressed in your best, enjoy some free snacks and a Q&A with a very exciting line up! Brought to you by Dark Matter, Picturehouse Hackney and Netflix. With popcorn provided by PROPER.