Will Smith to Headline Sharjah Book Fair 2025

The celebrated actor Will Smith will make his debut at the 44th edition of the Sharjah International Book Fair (SIBF) in 2025, marking his first appearance as a guest at any international literary festival.

This landmark announcement places Smith at the forefront of one of the Middle East’s most prestigious publishing events, combining his cinematic fame with his latest literary ambitions.

Set to take place from November 6 to 17 at the Expo Centre Sharjah, the fair will host over 2,350 publishers and exhibitors from 118 countries, supported by more than 1,200 events and 251 guests from 66 nations.  

With Greece as the guest of honour, this year’s SIBF promises a rich blend of global literary voices and cultural exchanges. Smith’s live discussion is scheduled for November 14, where he will draw on his memoir, Will, and reflect on his diverse career spanning film, music and entrepreneurship. 

Smith’s participation underscores the expanding scope of literary festivals in the region, bridging mainstream popular culture with serious publishing forums. His appearance adds a high-profile moment to an already star-studded lineup that includes authors such as Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and Italian physicist-turned-writer Carlo Rovelli.

 The fair also spotlights new features such as a “Poetry Pharmacy”, a Pop-Up Academy and a Podcast Station — innovations designed to engage younger and multilingual audiences across eight languages. 

As a major cultural landmark, SIBF has grown into one of the world’s largest book fairs, drawing millions of visitors annually. 

Smith anchoring the event not only reinforces its global appeal but adds cross-sector relevance, drawing both traditional book-loving audiences and fans from the world of film and celebrity. For organizers, his involvement offers fresh momentum; for attendees, it opens unexpected dialogues between entertainment and literature.