Amanda Knox: Lessons in Freedom

What happens when your life is taken out of your hands – and how do you reclaim it? In 2007, Amanda Knox was a 20-year-old student studying in Italy when she was wrongfully convicted of the murder of her roommate, Meredith Kercher. After nearly four years in prison, she was fully exonerated by Italy’s highest court. But the damage of trial-by-media and public spectacle lingered. What followed was a long, complex journey of rebuilding – one that Amanda shares with courage and clarity.

In this powerful live-streamed conversation, Amanda joins us from the US to discuss her new memoir Free: My Search for Meaning – an extraordinary reflection on identity, truth, and what it means to move forward when the world has made up its mind about who you are.

More than a story of injustice, this is a story of resilience, reinvention and self-liberation. With sharp insight and disarming honesty and humour, Amanda explores how we heal from public and private trauma, how we tell our own stories – and why freedom isn’t given, but made. Essential for anyone interested in justice, media, autonomy, and the quiet power of defining your own story.

Please note: this event will happen via videolink and lasts for one hour, followed by an opportunity to purchase the book upstairs in The Clearing. We are working out logistics to have dedications and signatures sorted in advance. We'll be in touch about this...

This event will be chaired by Ellie Newton. Ellie is the founder of The Trouble Club, the trailblazing members’ community that brings together curious, outspoken women for provocative conversations about culture, politics and ideas. With a background in media and events, Ellie has hosted hundreds of live discussions with leading thinkers and change-makers. Known for her wit and fearless curiosity, she’s on a mission to make intelligent conversation fun again.

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Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of books, bold ideas and the power of storytelling – by the sea. Curated by award-winning author and journalist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s programme features more than 50 events over 11 days, bringing together world-class writers, radical thinkers and unforgettable conversations – all inspired by Folkestone’s spirit of enabling creativity and transformative change.

We want the festival to be for everyone. That’s why we’ve introduced a £5 ticket – a no-questions-asked option for anyone who might be struggling to afford events.

And if you’re planning to come to more than a handful of events, don’t miss our great-value Festival Pass, which gives you access to all events (excluding classes, which need to be booked separately) for just £140.

There’s so much to discover – from headline talks to intimate workshops, big ideas to local voices. Check out the full programme, including our much-loved Local Talent Showcase and a new series of Creative Writing Workshops designed to spark your imagination.

We delighted that our onsite bookseller this year is Waterstones Folkestone.

We thank our major sponsor Saga and supporting sponsors Eurotunnel, Holiday Extras and Friends of the Folkestone Book Festival along with our Education Partner, Canterbury Christ Church University for making this year's festival possible. Creative Folkestone is also supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone and Hythe District Council and The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.