After an eight-year in-person hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the long-awaited return of Showlight – the quadrennial gathering of lighting minds – took centre stage at Le Parc des Expositions et Congrès de Dijon. With over 400 attendees, 40 exhibitors, and an enthusiastic cohort of students and emerging professionals, the event proved that its community spirit remains undimmed.
In May, some of the world’s leading lighting professionals gathered in eastern France for Showlight 2025. As a journalist who reports on touring technology, I was fortunate to be able to engage with both seasoned veterans and rising stars of the lighting design world either during early morning group runs, in paper sessions, workshops, or over dinner. Departing Dijon with a sketchbook of leads borne out of the event, I tracked down some representatives of the volunteer-led Showlight committee members to reflect on its orchestration.
“This is my 50th year as a professional lighting designer, and I’m prouder of what we achieved at Showlight than any show I’ve worked on,” announced Showlight Chair, Jim Tetlow – who’s lit everything from the US presidential debates to the handover ceremony of Hong Kong.
Showlight 2025 attracted participants from across Europe, the US, Australia, and Brazil. “There was concern that Showlight wouldn’t return post-pandemic,” admitted Tetlow, praising the support of the Showlight committee and the wider lighting industry for resurrecting the much-loved event. “We typically host around 350 attendees – I optimistically budgeted for 400, and we ended up with over 420! We’ve all learned a lot that will help shape Showlight 2029.”
Christie Lites’ Jess Allan, co-Chair of the Papers Committee, outlined some of the major changes made for 2025 like the addition of Whova – a platform for attendees to foster communities, and the organisers to manage administration and ticketing. “Previously, everything ran off Excel. I’d seen Whova in action at THE Conference: Live at Lititz and suggested we give it a go,” she said.
Paper presentations and their lively Q&As were made more dynamic thanks to a foam CATCHBOX microphone. All discussions were translated into five languages.
“We received over 90 proposals, up from 40 to 50 in previous years,” reported Tetlow. “We work hard to present a balance of sectors, scales and subjects.”
Hosting the event in France was a long-standing ambition for headline sponsor, Robert Juliat. After two cancellations and a virtual edition in 2021, the partnership finally came to fruition. “Dijon offered the perfect mix of culture, accessibility and intimacy,” said Robert Juliat’s Séverine Zucchiatti. “It’s a city rich in history yet ideally suited to hosting an international event. And, of course, being in Burgundy helped – nothing sparks creative dialogue quite like a good glass of Pinot Noir after a full day of lighting talk!”
According to Zucchiatti, the event encourages deep conversations – not just networking, but genuine exchanges of experience across generations and disciplines. “It reaffirms the value of creativity, mentorship, and community. Robert Juliat is grateful to the entire volunteer committee – that’s what Showlight is about: people,” she commented.
‘CHALLENGING CONVENTION AND SPARKING INSPIRATION’
Originally a peer-to-peer broadcast lighting event, Showlight has evolved into a broader educational platform for professionals and students alike. “Travel costs being what they are, we raised additional sponsorship to provide travel allowances and accommodation for the students,” Tetlow explained. “They also ran the show’s production – from stage management and lighting programming to audio and A/V.”
A new Emerging Professionals scholarship successfully bridged the gap between students and early-career designers and, like the student sponsorship programme, was oversubscribed.
“People were so eager for Showlight to return, they supported it in all sorts of ways,” echoed legendary Lighting Designer and committee member, Rick Fisher. “I remember the cost challenges when I was starting out – the pass, travel, hotel, and the potential loss of paid work. Thanks to Ayrton’s generous sponsorship, we brought in 20 emerging professionals from around the world, which is incredibly rewarding.”
With nearly 30 speakers, sessions ranged across concert, film, television, theatre, art, themed attractions, public installations and fashion. “Showlight was borne from a desire to explore the many facets of lighting,” said Fisher. “It’s about people’s journeys with light – how it inspires and connects us. The breadth of discussion is always thrilling.”
From Willie Williams’ illuminating journey with U2:UV Achtung Baby Live at Sphere through to Sophya Acosta’s emotional love letter to small venues, the programme had something for everyone. “The mixture of papers is curated to challenge convention and spark inspiration. We’re an industry that thrives on connection – and at Showlight, that connection happens freely, across experience levels. I’ve seen students go on to successful careers across the industry and credit their time at Showlight, for inspiring and creating a unique networking experience. Also, for seasoned professionals it offers a rare experience… after all how often does a rock ’n’ roll LD and a DOP of a blockbuster film, get to hang out and chat creatively. We work hard to create an open, welcoming space where ‘light’ is the spark for conversation,” commented Allan.
“Showlight is where I meet up with like-minded friends and colleagues, and those I have admired from afar, to share case histories, tales of victory and defeat, and what has been learned in the process. The exhibiting manufacturers were able to devote quality one-on-one time, and the evening get-togethers cemented the experience,” added Bruce Springsteen’s Lighting Designer, Jeff Ravitz. “This year’s conference proved how Showlight can evolve and improve on the extremely solid foundation of past gatherings. The logistics were smooth, the presentations were varied in topic, and the projects ranged in scale from ‘do-more-with-less’, to oversized shows with king-sized challenges, to new or rarely explored technology. I enjoyed the workshops, too!”
Workshops were held in three locations in the venue and proved hugely popular. “Though we have exhibitors, we’re not a trade show,” Tetlow clarified. “Exhibitors don’t showcase full product lines. They spend meaningful time with attendees. We even close the exhibition area during presentations so everyone can attend – it’s the backbone of this entire event.”
This year’s conference dinner brought a touch of magic with a champagne reception and candlelit meal at Château Vantoux’s Orangerie, set to the soundtrack of a live string quartet.
Fisher added: “People are so generous – with time, money, and support. In return, Showlight is generous with knowledge-sharing and hospitality. Once you’re there, you won’t need to reach into your pocket. The atmosphere is relaxed, social, and a celebration of our shared – if slightly unusual – passion for light.”
While the 2021 virtual edition kept the community connected, it’s the in-person interaction that remains at Showlight’s heart. “Selling booth space was a challenge at first,” admitted Ayrton’s Matt Hallard.
“Past participants signed up immediately, but those new to Showlight needed more convincing. I admire the companies who took that leap without fully knowing what it was about – they’re the real heroes of our exhibitor story.”
Reflecting on his first year as a committee member, Hallard said: “It’s been an honour to work alongside such a dedicated team, most of whom donated their time or were supported by their companies. We filled the exhibition hall with 40 manufacturers and four industry organisations. If you’re curious about getting involved, now’s the time – get in-touch at: exhibit@showlight.org.”
