EIUFF 2026 Theme announcement: All That Surrounds Us

We live in an age where understanding what’s happening in the world around us is more important than ever. With constantly changing headlines flooding our phones and so many conflicting ideas in the air, the first step towards understanding is to pause and reflect upon how we have arrived at this unique moment in time.

We are constantly in motion, striving to improve and keep up with an ever changing world

By understanding the past and what drives human behaviour, we gain clarity about where we are headed. It is important not to forget that we exist in the context of everything and everyone that came before us and what surrounds us. Without taking the time to listen to one another, we risk becoming nothing more than passing bodies on this earth. Our stories are what inspires, grounds and connects us all. As a society, we are constantly in motion, striving to improve and keep up with an ever changing world .But how can we expect to choose the right path if we do not first take a moment to notice the steps in our journey that led us here?

Telling stories is our greatest gift

Humans are born curious. As children, we dive headfirst into the world and experience it in its rawest form without fear or judgement. Yet as we grow older, we often forget to set aside our prejudices and approach life with an open mind and a fresh perspective, narrowing the world which was once so unlocked to us. Telling stories is our greatest gift. Our essence and experience is in the ability to construct worlds, pass on knowledge and acknowledge our beautiful and complicated existence. This is why we believe that understanding what surrounds us, our history, nature, and our communities is essential to shaping a better future.

This year, with All That Surrounds Us, we aim to bring attention to the ongoing events that shape not only our present but also our future. We invite our audience to pause, look around, and truly take it all in. From there, let curiosity lead the way. Observe more, question more, and explore the world with openness and intention.