Showlight 2025 made its return in May, after an eight-year break, visiting the historic city of Dijon, France. The event was held at Le Parc des Expositions et Congrès de Dijon on 19-22 May.
The organiser commented that the show was hailed as the largest and most international Showlight to date, that it is here to stay, and would next be held in 2029, in an as-yet undisclosed location.
The event exhibited a greater international presence with participants coming from all over the world, not just Europe but from as far afield as America, Brazil and Australia.
“I sensed an enormous feeling of joy and relief that Showlight was not just back, but had if anything moved on,” said Bernie Davis, papers committee and technical manager. “I am sure it was the most international Showlight I have experienced!”
Speakers and lighting designers from every genre of lighting had the opportunity to make new connections and exchange ideas. Paper presentations and the Q&A sessions that followed were available in five languages.
Nearly 30 speakers elaborated on a wide range of lighting topics, with strong representations from the worlds of film, television, theatre, art installation, themed attractions, public installations, and haute couture.
Sessions included Willie Williams’ talk on the Las Vegas Sphere and his lighting of U2; Tim Lutkin and Adrien Mourey’s session on lighting a castle at Disneyland Paris; David Duffy’s take on lighting a puppet festival in a remote village on the edge of the Arctic Circle; and an account from Sophya Acosta of the creative challenges of working in a small venue. The conference was rounded off with an ‘in-conversation’ session with film cameraman and second unit director Peter Macdonald, who recounted tales from his 70-year career in cinema.
There were more opportunities for students with the introduction of Showlight workshops, held in three locations, which were well attended and laid the grounds for an expanded programme in future editions of Showlight.
“It was an amazing experience making some amazing personal and professional connections, while also listening to some fantastic talks and workshops from industry professionals,” said Tayo Rio Wilson, undergraduate in sound, light and live event engineering, and a Showlight 2025 sponsored student.
The new Emerging Professionals scholarship caught those who fell between the gaps of student and established professional and, like the Sponsored Student programme, was over-subscribed with worthy applicants, the organiser shared. Those students and EPs selected got a lot out of the experience, but also put a huge amount into their time there too, with students helping the organisers in every aspect of Showlight whether backstage, camera operating, assisting exhibitors or front-of-house.
“Showlight was a highlight of my early career and gifted me with connections and memories I will treasure for a long time,” said Dominick Zayne Riches, lighting designer, photographer and artist, and a Showlight 2025 sponsored student. “I arrived as a damp sponge, and now I’m completely soaked! I’m eager to take all I’ve absorbed and wring it out into my craft and conversations with fellow artists and collaborators.”
A global fraternity of lighting designers, manufacturers and speakers mixed with students, emerging professionals, exhibitors and delegates over three days of networking – during the day in the exhibition hall hosting more than 40 exhibitors, at lunch and tea breaks, and at the company dinners hosted by exhibitors on the first evening.
“What I found was a community of incredible and supportive light artists – and I use that term intentionally – gathering to hear from each other about the highest level work that is happening in the world today,” said Clifton Taylor, colour and light workshop, Showlight 2025.
For the Conference Dinner, everyone was transported to a champagne reception and elegant dinner at Chateau Vantoux, held in the Orangerie and accompanied by a string quartet playing classical and contemporary music.
“What a week!! I feel spoilt rotten to have been enveloped in such an amazing environment of shared passion and enjoyment with the added bonus of amazing evenings out too,” said Elanor Higgins, a Showlight 2025 speaker. “Merci Showlight 25. This was my first Showlight, I look forward to the next.”
“We have had an overwhelming response to this edition of Showlight,” said Jim Tetlow, Showlight 2025 chairman. “It’s difficult to choose the highlights as everyone took away something different and had their eyes opened to many alternatives and inspirations. We have definitely seen an evolution with our expanded student programme and the new Emerging Professional programme, which have made Showlight more accessible to the next generation.”
Showlight thanked its headline sponsor, Robert Juliat, for its work and support in helping to bring about the successful return of the show, as well as all the speakers, exhibitors, students, emerging professionals, lighting designers and delegates.
“I’m so excited,” said Cameron Moore, a Showlight 2025 Emerging Professional. “I feel like the future is ahead of me.”
