2025 has felt like a tug of war between powerlessness and a compulsion to act with urgency and the audio world hasn’t been immune. Using the deliciously democratic Long Table format inspired by artist Lois Weaver (with Chatham House rules in place) we’ll examine where power lies in the audio world, how to navigate it, scope out strategies for resistance and resilience from activist movements, engage in introvert-friendly participation and get inspiration from short audio pieces curated from audio makers around the world. 

One thing is guaranteed: we definitely won’t be leaving the room with the audio scene in the same shape as when we arrived; we’ll have a juicy collective decision to make. 

Kicking things off with hostess Lina are Helen Zaltzman, Sarah K. Kramer, Bernard Achampong, Fatuma Khaireh and Diarmuid McIntyre, founder of Hearsay Festival – and –  as the format suggests – they’ll be joined in turn by members of the audience as they feel compelled to share their thoughts.

Lina Prestwood is an audio producer based in London where she co-runs Scenery Studios, a production company that seeks to bring out the best in humanity, one listen at a time.

Festival Pass Holders Only