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

They are the author of three critically acclaimed poetry collections, including Homie and Don’t Call Us Dead which won the Forward Prize for Best Collection and delves into the intricacies of their identity as Black, queer and HIV positive. They once described 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 honour of its 50th anniversary. A collaboration between Factory International and Contact, 50 Hours of Freedom invited three local artists to make new work in 50 hours which was performed in front of a live audience, all inspired by a brief given by Danez.