The Orwell Festival is hitting the shelves
Celebrating the Orwell Prize finalists live in London and across the UK
The Orwell Festival is in full swing, and next week it's all about authors and bookshops. This year, we’re thrilled to be partnering with eight independent bookshops across the UK to celebrate the Orwell Prize shortlists. From Exeter to Wigan, each shop will champion two titles: one from the 2025 Orwell Prize for Political Fiction list and one from the 2025 Orwell Prize for Political Writing.
Check out what’s happening near you, or read on for our events in London and online. If you’re looking for more inspiration, head to our bookshop.org site, where our finalists have made their own lists inspired by their works. Just don’t ask Orwell to dust the shelves…
“The top of a book is the place where every bluebottle prefers to die” - George Orwell, Bookshop Memories
Live in London
📚 17 June – Natasha Brown & Gabriel Gatehouse
Natasha Brown (Universality) and Gabriel Gatehouse (The Coming Storm) join us at Waterstones Gower Street to unpack what happens when the truth gets twisted.
🍷 Come along for fascinating conversation and a welcome glass of wine.
🎟️ Tickets from £7–£10
📚 19 June – Mishal Husain and Simon Parkin, with Thangam Debbonaire
Mishal Husain (Broken Threads) and Simon Parkin (The Forbidden Garden of Leningrad) join Orwell Prize judge Thangam Debbonaire to discuss their moving and evocative books, at Foyles Charing Cross.
🎟️ Book now
🎨 23 June – “Benefit of Clergy”, with Helen Lewis and Nathan Waddell
What do we do with great art made by deeply flawed, even reprehensible, people? Helen Lewis (The Genius Myth) and Nathan Waddell (A Bright Cold Day) dig into one of Orwell’s most incendiary essays.
🎟️ Get your tickets
⚽ Thursday 12 June – The Politics of Football
Can we still love the game and keep our principles intact? With Philippe Auclair, Miguel Delaney, and Orwell Prize judge Matthew Beaumont.
🎟️ Last tickets available
💻 Online Masterclass
Tuesday 17 June – Peter Apps: Getting to the Truth
For anyone trying to tell human stories well, Orwell Prize-winning author Peter Apps (Show Me the Bodies: How We Let Grenfell Happen) leads a one-off masterclass in partnership with our friends at the Arvon Foundation.
🎟️ Register here
✨ Free places available for Orwell Reporting Homelessness entrants.
Coming Soon: Orwell Prize Winners Announced
It all culminates on 25 June (Orwell’s birthday) with the announcement of the 2025 Orwell Prize winners. Until then:
📸 Follow us on Instagram for new finalist interviews
📰 Stay subscribed for insights from our writers
Stay tuned to your telescreens — or better yet, join us in person.
The Orwell Youth Prize shortlist is here!
This year’s theme, “Freedom is…”, sparked a record number of entries from young writers across the UK. A huge thank you to everyone who took part, whether you entered your work, joined a workshop, or were one of over 1000 entrants who received individual feedback from our volunteers.
Inspired by Orwell’s vision of a world where thought is free, truth valued, and brave writing celebrated, the Youth Prize prize invites young people across the UK to reflect on the world around them and write both creatively and critically.
With the help of our brilliant team of volunteer readers, we have shortlisted 45 standout entries for our judges Anthony Anaxagorou, Manveen Rana, and Gary Snapper to consider. Congratulations, all. Watch out for the winners on 25 June.
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