Bystanders standing by

Festival of Dangerous Ideas is back this August – and bigger than ever. 10 days. 14 iconic Sydney venues. 20 international guests. 115 sessions.   We've gathered the world's most compelling thinkers, artists and provocateurs for ten days of talks, films, art, excursions and world-premiere commissioned works across Sydney this August.   The program is on sale now. Dig deeper and save with a Festival multipack at festivalofdangerousideas.com   Festival of Dangerous Ideas is the flagship event presented by The Ethics Centre.    

Presented by The Ethics Centre, Festival of Dangerous Ideas (FODI to those in the know) has been luring curious minds across 12 festivals to be part of bold, brilliant and occasionally uncomfortable conversations that actually matter. From 21–23 August 2026, FODI returns to Sydney. Its Opening Night event with Salman Rushdie will ignite a jam-packed weekend, where global thought leaders, trail-blazing artists and fearless experts converge upon some of Sydney's most iconic venues. The Festival's 'Little Black Book' is stacked with international and local provocateurs itching to take the stage at its proudly home-grown festival. But here's the thing: a festival with global reach doesn't come cheap, and big ideas don't fund themselves. If you love FODI – and want it to keep dragging the world's sharpest thinkers to Sydney IRL – please consider making a tax-deductible donation today at festivalofdangerousideas.com.au.    

Simon's job in a Yemeni refugee camp was to enforce a new rule about food distribution. By following orders, he left people hungry and started a riot.    A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey. 

Michelle left a seven-year relationship abruptly, taking only a few clothes and a toy xylophone. Years later she wonders why. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.

Lukasz is a font designer who wanted desperately to complete a project he cared deeply about. He was prepared to do anything – even if it meant ripping off someone else's work. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.

Dan saw a stranger harassing women and went over ready to punch him, to be the vigilante. When he got there he changed his mind. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.

David knowingly led someone into a bad investment. Then he found out it was even worse than he'd thought. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey. 

Lucia did something that made thousands of people's lives better, but some days she wishes she could take it all back.  A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Edits by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.

Thomas didn't stop the worst thing he'd ever seen. He always wondered why. Then he thought about his own past and saw that day anew. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix: Bryce Halliday. Music: Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Editing by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.

Champagne was flowing at the jazz bar when Georgina got a text calling her a thief. She didn't agree then. But now she does. A production of The Ethics Centre. Mix by Bryce Halliday. Music by Breakmaster Cylinder & Blue Dot Sessions. Hosted & produced by Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Editing by Colin Ho, EP Danielle Harvey.