In this episode, we’re entering the dream space of award-winning author and poet Danez Smith.

Known for their critically acclaimed poetry collections Homie and Don’t Call Us Dead, which won the Forward Prize for Best Collection, Danez's work explores their identity as Black, queer, and HIV positive. They describe their work as a chance to "peer into the surreal edge at another version of us."

For MIF23, Danez Smith set the creative tone for a lock-in at Manchester’s Contact Theatre in honor of its 50th anniversary. In collaboration with Factory International, 50 Hours of Freedom invited three local artists to create new work in 50 hours, performed live, inspired by Danez's brief.