Bimla Jackson brings over 20 years of creative events and brand experience industry knowledge, most recently heading up operations for the British Film Designers Guild. Born into a theatrical family, Bimla’s passion lies in connecting and inspiring creative minds, giving them a vital space to grow and share brilliant ideas.
Behind the scenes
Set & Scene started with a simple idea.
Film, theatre and live events face the same challenges and share the same opportunities, yet these industries rarely share the same room. We are here to change that.
With decades of combined experience across film, TV, live events and the creative industries, our three founders bring industry insight to Set & Scene.
We’ve spent time working and listening to designers, artists, suppliers and craftspeople across the creative spectrum. We’ve asked what topics inspire them, explored their challenges and gathered their ideas, across film, theatre, live events, and beyond.
This ongoing research and dialogue has shaped every aspect of Set & Scene.
Our team connects the dots, brings top suppliers into the conversation, and aim to drive collaboration across stagecraft, scenic design and visual storytelling.
Thank you
Thank you to those who supported Set & Scene in 2026 and for being an essential part of our journey.
A special shout out to:
Tahra Zafar, Creatures & Costume Designer
Matt Myatt, Creative Producer
Simon Bowles, Production Designer
Jo Riddell, Supervising Art Director
Kate John, Head of Workshops, National Theatre
Frances Dawes, Production and Sustainability Manager, National Theatre
May Davies, Production Designer
Will Saunders OBE, Creative Head of CoSTAR
Mona Rezazadeh Wishkahi, Art & Creative Director
Chris Melgram, Production Designer
Conrad Alexander, Set Designer
Russell Bennett, Event Designer
May Leung, VFX Producer
Naomi Day, Architect and Designer
Meet the team behind Set & Scene Show 2026
Co Founder | Content & Partnership Director
Yosien Burke
With 30 years of experience supporting the film and TV industry, Yosien has built a strong foundation in crew training, industry events and sustainability initiatives. Renowned for her ability to foster cross-industry collaboration, she enjoys connecting crew, suppliers and stakeholders across the wider industry, creating exciting opportunities and innovative partnerships.
Strategic Marketing & PR Lead
Bonnie Poole
Bonnie has worked across theatre, film, TV, events, and digital marketing for over a decade. A dynamic and creative professional, she is known for delivering projects to the highest standard with flair, strategic insight, and boundless energy. Her work has taken her internationally, and she brings a deep appreciation for the artistry and skill behind storytelling, grounded in extensive experience across the creative industries.
Exhibition & Production Manager
Hannah Gregory
Hannah Gregory brings over 15 years of experience in creative events, festival production and brand experience. Hannah is responsible for managing Exhibitor logistics and will be bringing her love of spreadsheets to the Set & Scene team.
Co-Founder
Murray Ashton
Murray Ashton adds a global perspective to the team. As the founder of The Location Guide and FOCUS, he has been instrumental in building international partnerships that shape the creative landscape. His understanding of the industry’s commercial and creative needs helps Set & Scene deliver world-class opportunities.
Speaker Coordinator
Kirsten Farley
Kirsten spent over 12 years working as a Stage and Company manager running professional productions in the West End, supporting Broadway transfers as well as stages and artists at festivals from Latitude to Edinburgh Fringe.
Central Saint Martins, Granary Square, Kings Cross, London N1C 4AA
You build worlds. We built a space for you.
On April 25 2026, over 800 creatives across film, television, theatre, and immersive events gathered in London to share ideas and celebrate scenic craft. Designers, makers, and technologists had a single place to connect and collaborate.
Missed out? We’re already planning what comes next. Join the mailing list to get early access to future events, priority booking, and opportunities to be involved in 2027.
We also hope to run cross-industry events throughout the year, so be sure to sign up to stay in the loop.
Follow Us
@ setandsceneshow . Aug 5
From the exhibitors who brought bold ideas to life, to the creatives who came to be inspired, the first Set & Scene Show was built by a community that showed up in full force.
The gallery is live. Step back into the moments, the makers, and the magic that shaped our debut. Featuring the delightful Sleeping Pine Martin by @tahrazafarltd.
Link in bio. Photography by Ula Blocksage.
#SetAndScene #EventDesign #FilmAndTV #TheatreDesign #ImmersiveExperience
#LiveEvents #CreativeCommunity #ProductionDesign
@ setandsceneshow . Jul 31
A huge thank you to @stylofilmtv for supporting the inaugural Set & Scene event as one of our sponsors.
Not only did Stylo provide the beautiful event signage seen throughout Central Saint Martins, but they also embodied the themes at the heart of the event.
“Every piece on the stand had a history and a purpose, allowing visitors to see how pieces we make fare in the real world. We wanted the stand itself to reflect the values being discussed throughout the show. The stand was constructed from corrugated board, creating a lightweight and highly recyclable framework that was responsibly recycled after the event. We aimed to create memorable experiences whilst reducing waste.”
Simon Wheeler, Managing Director of Stylo Film & TV, reflected on the day:
“What I enjoyed most about Set & Scene was the quality of the conversations and the genuine sense of collaboration throughout the show. It brought together an incredible mix of production designers, scenic artists, prop makers, fabricators, theming specialists and creative thinkers, all united by a passion for bringing stories to life.
Whether you were an established industry professional or just starting your career, there was a real willingness to share ideas, techniques and challenges, creating an atmosphere that felt refreshingly collaborative rather than competitive.
As a first event, Set & Scene exceeded our expectations. It created meaningful connections between people who genuinely make things happen, while showcasing how traditional craftsmanship, creativity and emerging technologies can come together to create extraordinary experiences.
For Stylo, it perfectly reflected what we believe in – that the best work happens when talented people collaborate to turn great ideas into reality.”
Thank you, Simon and the entire Stylo team, for helping us bring Set & Scene to life. We can’t wait to build on this together.
#SetAndScene #StyloFilmAndTV #ProductionDesign #ScenicArt #CreativeIndustries Sustainability Collaboration FilmAndTV Theatre LiveEvents
@ setandsceneshow . Jul 8
Some mornings remind you why this industry is so exciting.
Yesterday, our co-founder, Yosien Burke, attended the launch of The ReStage Script at the National Theatre. ☀️
A glorious morning on the Southbank. The Thames glinting outside. And a room full of people committed to changing how our industry makes things.
The ReStage Script is more than a report—it’s a 10-year roadmap towards zero-waste stage and screen production across the UK, with a simple but ambitious idea at its heart: design sets to be reused, repurposed and restaged, not sent to landfill.
For us, this felt especially meaningful.
Sara Turnbull, Chair of ReStage, first brought this conversation to the Set & Scene show floor, and seeing that work now become part of a national roadmap is a reminder of why bringing people together matters.
It was also brilliant to see so many familiar faces from the Set & Scene community, including
@nationaltheatre
@resetscenery
Theatre Green Book
@assetflow_hq
@camaassetstore
@used.creative
@footprintscenery
Everyone in the room was working towards the same goal.
Because real change doesn’t happen through reports alone. It happens when designers, makers, suppliers and production teams come together, share ideas and build better ways of working.
That’s what Set & Scene is all about.
The ReStage Script gives the industry a roadmap. We want Set & Scene to be one of the places where those ideas become action.
What’s one sustainable practice you’d love to see become the industry standard? 👇
#SustainableFilm #CircularProduction #SetDesign #ReStage FilmAndTV ProductionDesign
@ setandsceneshow . Jun 25
Last week, we returned to Central Saint Martins for the UAL Degree Shows.
Having debuted Set & Scene here earlier this year, it was inspiring to see the spaces transformed by the work of graduating students across art, design and performance.
From material experimentation and making to immersive experiences and new approaches to storytelling, the exhibition showcased an exciting breadth of emerging creative talent and the ideas shaping the future of our industries.
Many of the themes at the heart of Set & Scene - craft, sustainability, technology and collaboration - were evident throughout.
Congratulations to all the students exhibiting their work. We look forward to seeing where your creativity takes you next.
#CentralSaintMartins #CreativeEducation #DesignCommunity #FutureOfDesign
@ setandsceneshow . May 15
We want to thank everyone who supported Set & Scene 2026 on the day, across guest management, room coordination, speaker support, registration, production coordination and overall event delivery. Your professionalism, energy and calmness under pressure made a real difference and helped everything run so smoothly.
At the centre of it all was a core group who shaped the event together from the very beginning: our co-founders Bimla Jackson, Yosien Burke and Murray Ashton, with the support of Hannah Gregory (Exhibition & Production Manager), Kirsten Farley (Speaker Coordinator) and Bonnie Poole (Strategic Marketing & PR Lead) and Olivia Peers (Events Co-ordinator). Together, they formed the engine of Set & Scene, bringing the event to life through shared commitment, problem-solving and a genuine belief in the project.
A special thank you to Aaron Rozanski, the team at Industria Studios, and Ula Blocksage for capturing the event so thoughtfully. The photography and film genuinely reflect the atmosphere of the day - the energy, the detail, and the people who made it what it was.
Thank you as well to Joe Craig and the team at Central Saint Martins for hosting us and supporting the event throughout.
Seeing over 800 people come together for the first Set & Scene was a real moment for all of us. More than anything, it was the conversations, generosity and openness across the day that stayed with us.
Thank you to everyone who helped make Set & Scene 2026 happen. We’re proud of what we built together, and we’re excited for what comes next.
Photography by Ula Blocksage
#SetAndScene #CreativeIndustries #ProductionDesign #EventProduction #FilmIndustry TheatreDesign LiveEvents ImmersiveDesign CreativeCommunity
@ setandsceneshow . May 11
A huge thank you to @roscodigitalimaging for their incredible support of Set & Scene 2026.
As a leading global manufacturer of creative solutions - from LED fixtures and backdrops to scenic products, filters and effects - Rosco brought a powerful visual presence to the event.
They sponsored and transformed the LVMH Theatre with a cinematic night cityscape, creating a striking backdrop for a full day of talks, panels and live discussion. In addition, their beautifully crafted rental SoftDrops elevated The Street, enhancing the atmosphere of the exhibition space and demonstrating the impact of scenic detail at scale.
Alongside their installation work, Rosco also had a fantastic stand in partnership with @drsfilmsets, showcasing the materials, techniques and innovation that support production across film, theatre and live events.
A special thank you to Jo Riddell for being part of the day, both on the ground and on stage. Jo joined our panel “Building Wonder: Designing The Magic Faraway Tree”, contributing to a rich and insightful conversation about the artistry, collaboration and problem-solving behind bringing this ambitious world to life.
“Rosco have thoroughly enjoyed working with Yosien & Bimla over the last few months to bring Set & Scene to life. This community focussed event brought so many incredibly talented people together in one space to celebrate all types of scenic craft, it was a pleasure to take part and exhibit alongside other amazing suppliers.” - Jo Riddell
From transforming spaces to sharing knowledge, Rosco’s contribution was felt across every part of the event. Thank you for helping us bring Set & Scene to life. ❤
Photgraphy by Ula Blocksage
#SetAndScene #ProductionDesign #ScenicDesign #FilmIndustry #TheatreDesign
@ setandsceneshow . May 6
A debut year to remember -and a real moment for the creative industries.
Set & Scene 2026 was a complete sell-out and it simply would not have been possible without the incredible support of our sponsors, partners, exhibitors, scenic circle, and every attendee who joined us.
Thank you to: @amazonmgmstudios @bectufilmtv @blooloop @british_film_designers_guild , CAMA AssetStore, @cineco.co @citytheatrical @decoramouldings @drsfilmsets @essexfilmoffice @filmandfurniture @filmbase.uk @flintstheatre @glyndebourne @grangerhertzog @greens_team @industria.studios @jmss_ltd @_lightroomldn @macfarlanepkg, Motorhouse Hire, @nationaltheatre @proteuscompany @paperloungeuk, PD-Ren, @pandpflowers Peonies Ltd @poly.props @resetscenery @revolvermotion @roscodigitalimaging @wearesbtd @smart_scenery @solasmind @sterlingeventgroup @stylofilmtv Televisual, Theatre Green Book, @totomconstruction @2scale.shop @used.creative @vaudevillesound @vectarsetsuk @fivestarcrew @utaproductionarts @artdeptrepresents @talkingpointfilm and @59dotstudio
You brought the exhibition and event to life. The space was filled with innovation, craft and meaningful conversation across every corner.
And to our 800+ attendees... thank you for the energy, curiosity and openness you brought into every session and every conversation.
We are incredibly grateful. And we are only just getting started.
Be sure to follow along on socials or sign up to our mailing list for future event announcements.
Photography by Ula Blocksage
#SetAndScene #CreativeCommunity #ProductionDesign #FilmIndustry #TheatreDesign
LiveEvents ImmersiveDesign Networking CreativeIndustries
@ setandsceneshow . May 2
A huge thank you to all of our speakers, panellists and moderators who shaped Set & Scene 2026.
Across three dedicated stages, we heard from leading voices in production design, scenic construction, sustainability, emerging technology, craft and immersive storytelling.
Your honesty and generosity made each session feel real, grounded and genuinely inspiring. From deep dives into traditional craft to conversations about AI, sustainability and the future of design, every discussion helped move the conversation forward.
The response spoke for itself - sessions were packed throughout the day, with many attendees telling us they couldn’t get into the rooms or find a seat. We hear you… we’ll need more space next year.
We are especially grateful for how openly you shared real workflows, challenges and ideas. That openness is what makes cross-industry collaboration possible.
Thank you for being part of the first Set & Scene. We couldn’t have done it without you.
Photography by Ula Blocksage.
#SetAndScene #Speakers #ProductionDesign #CreativeIndustries #FilmIndustry
TheatreDesign LiveEvents DesignCommunity EmergingTechnology Craft SustainableDesign
