We are delighted to share that Lilia Foster, an accredited writer as part of The Student’s 2025 Fringe team, has been named 2025 Fringe Young Writer of the Year.
Lilia reviewed a number of Fringe shows for The Student; her submissions included reviews of Sugar and Ziwe’s America, though it was ultimately her review of Saria Callas, described by Lilia as a “captivating exploration of womanhood and freedom,” which impressed judges the most.
Despite such a remarkable achievement, Lilia clarified that it was actually her first time receiving media accreditation, and her first time ever writing a review.
The award-winning writer said: “I usually much prefer writing history of politics — as you’re using facts — and often it feels like you’re not qualified to have an opinion.”
However, “a lot of Fringe is actually quite political underneath it all,” she explained.
A stand-out performance for the writer was The Horse of Jenin, a play about a boy growing up in Occupied Palestine.
Saria Callas, subject of the award-winning review, was flyered to the budding journalist.
No stranger to flyering herself, Lilia shared that being a reviewer this time around made for a much more enjoyable Fringe, jokingly referring to her previous gig as “rejection therapy.”
However, as a writer, she mentions the challenges of working to tight deadlines.
“It’s a bit scary. But I’ve written more for The Student this year and thought it was good practice getting things out.”
On her writing process, Lilia explains: “You get a main feeling overall — a few things stand out. Start with those and flesh it out.”
Another key piece of advice — “go to as much as you can.”
“I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I expected it to feel much more like labour, or much harder to write something quick.”
The star reviewer looks forward to her awarded mentorship with the arts team at The Scotsman, where she has earned a place on the paper’s paid review team for next year’s Fringe.
“It will give me a bit more structure next time when I’m not winging it.”
You can read Lilia’s other works, including her winning piece: Saria Callas, on our website.
Image via Audrey Yeung