Set & Scene 2026 made its debut on Saturday 25 April at Central Saint Martins. It welcomed over 800 attendees from film, theatre, live events and immersive design, and it sold out in its first year.
Bringing practitioners together across the creative industries, the event marked the launch of a new cross-industry platform for production design, creative collaboration and knowledge exchange. As a result, it created a shared space for ideas, craft and innovation to meet.
Opening Event: David Bowie Immersive Screening at Lightroom
The day began with a private screening of David Bowie: You’re Not Alone at Lightroom, offering attendees a shared immersive experience before the main programme began.
This opening moment set the tone for the day — combining storytelling, technology and spatial design in a way that reflects the evolving nature of the creative industries.
A New Cross-Industry Platform for Creative Collaboration
Set & Scene was founded on a simple idea: film, theatre and live events face many of the same challenges and opportunities, yet rarely share the same room.
Founded by Yosien Burke, Bimla Jackson and Murray Ashton, the event is built on decades of experience across film, TV, live events and the wider creative industries.
Through ongoing conversations with designers, artists, suppliers and craftspeople, Set & Scene has been shaped directly by the needs of the creative community — creating a platform designed to connect disciplines, share knowledge and spark collaboration.
Talks, Panels and Live Demonstrations Across Three Stages
The Set & Scene programme unfolded across three dedicated stages, hosting a full day of panel discussions, talks and live demonstrations.
Sessions featured leading voices from across the industry and explored key topics including:
- Sustainable design and circular production practices
- Emerging technology, AI and virtual production
- Brand storytelling and immersive experiences
- Creative careers and cross-sector working
- Craft, making and traditional techniques
From practical workflows to future-facing ideas, the programme offered a comprehensive look at how stories are being built across stage, screen and experience today.
The Set & Scene Exhibition: Materials, Technology and Making
At the heart of the event was the Set & Scene exhibition — a large-scale, interactive space designed to showcase the tools, materials and expertise behind creative production.
The exhibition brought together makers, suppliers and technologists from across the industry, offering attendees the opportunity to:
- Discover new materials and sustainable solutions
- Experience emerging technology through hands-on demos
- Engage directly with craftspeople and industry specialists
- Learn through live demonstrations and “meet the maker” sessions
This interactive environment created a space for meaningful exchange, connecting design and production in a tangible way.
Sponsors and Partners Supporting the Creative Industries
Set & Scene 2026 was supported by a wide network of partners across film, theatre, live events and immersive production.
Key sponsors and partners included Amazon MGM Studios, Cineco, Greens Team, the National Theatre, Royal Shakespeare Company (RSC), Rosco, British Film Designers Guild, Society of British Film Designers, BECTU and CAMA.
Additional support came from leading suppliers and innovators across scenic construction, materials, technology and production services, helping to shape a truly cross-sector event.
Networking and Industry Connection
The day concluded with networking drinks, sponsored by Cineco and Greens Team, providing space for continued conversation, collaboration and connection.
These informal moments brought together designers, makers, technologists and suppliers — reinforcing the importance of shared space and cross-industry dialogue.
Five Key Themes Shaping the Programme
The Set & Scene programme was built around five core strands, reflecting the forces shaping the creative industries today:
- Sustainable design
- Emerging technology
- Brand storytelling
- Creative fusion
- Celebrating craft
Together, these themes created a framework for exploring how production design is evolving across stage, screen and live experience.
Looking Ahead: Future Events and Set & Scene 2027
The response to Set & Scene 2026 highlights a clear demand for cross-industry collaboration and knowledge sharing.
Following this successful launch, Set & Scene will continue as a year-round platform, with further events in development and early access now open for 2027.
Share Your Feedback
Set & Scene has been built through ongoing dialogue with the creative community — and that continues beyond the event.
If you attended, we would love to hear your feedback. What worked? What would you like to see more of? What should we develop further?
Get in touch: [email protected]
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