< 2024 ILDA Awards, Wrocław, Poland
The ILDA Awards are the laser display industry's equivalent of Hollywood's Oscars. Each year, they honor companies and individuals from around the world for their achievements. These awards were bestowed during the 2025 ILDA Conference in Huntsville, Alabama, hosted by Rocket City Lasers, assisted by Audio Visual Imagineering.
• The Artistic Awards cover virtually all aspects of modern laser displays, from the creation of individual laser graphics to the production of huge outdoor shows.
• The Technical Awards, named for pioneering laserist Fred Fenning, honor technological achievements that advance the industry.
• Special Achievement Awards are given for significant achievements that are not already sufficiently covered by existing ILDA Award categories. (None were awarded in 2025.)
• The Career Achievement Award is ILDA's highest honor, given for work spanning many years in the area of show quality, innovation, and industry service.
For more details on the winners, download the 2025 ILDA Awards booklet (PDF format). The booklet lists all winners, plus credits and a description of the work.
YouTube links to videos of the individual winners are below, in the list of winners. Click on a photo to see the first place winner's YouTube video, or click the arrow to open a 2nd or 3rd place winner's description and get the YouTube link.
There is also an ILDA YouTube playlist for all 2025 winners' entries, as well as a playlist for just the 2025 First Place winning videos.
Note: Many of the videos may not be viewable in certain countries, due to music copyright restrictions.
If you want to get a quick overview of all of the winners, below is a video compilation of the 2025 Award winners. This 33-minute video contains short 15- to 60-second excerpts from the Award-winning entries.
Note: Some winners have had the music removed due to music copyright restrictions. This explains why some segments are silent, even though they were submitted to ILDA with music. And, despite the removals, there still may be some countries where the video remains blocked.
Judging Coordinator
Richard Gonsalves
Judges
Tim Colcombe, Andrew Dranetz, Mike Dunn, Chris Favreau, Ben Guerrette, Alex Hall, Stephanie Huston, David Kumpula, Jarod Lugowski, Ruben Fosse Malmin, Julian Navarro, Alberto Kellner Ongaro, Bill Rainville, Leon Ren, Karl Rothweiler, Markus Voggenberger, Steve Wade
One of the highlights of the city days was linear laser mapping on the facade of the City Hall. The show used BeamBrush technology, which worked perfectly on the building. In addition to the standard outlining of building elements, graphic effects placed in the building's mask were added, as well as architectural lighting accents that enhanced the entire show.
Credits: Laser Designers: Jakub Marcinek, Anna Nadolna
Music: Sanah, “Jestem Twoją Bajką”; Peter Doglov, “Inspiring Dubstep”
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
Laser mapping was complete in our implementation from proposal to projection. We built two position towers, each one with 18 pieces of lasers. Lasers had a combination of rendering scanners to achieve sufficient visibility and luminosity on the glass surface facade of the building. At the same time, it was important to render a sufficient number of points for a complex graphic. Two sides of the building formed two projection zones, which were divided into 96 parts. Two PCs were used with SW because each side of the building was accurately mapped separately.
Credits: Designer, Programmer & Laser Operator: Martin Gabco
Music: Various songs by Jean-Michel Jarre
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
The show on this newly opened building was a challenge due to the large number of windows and the small area on which to draw with the laser. Accents using BeamBrush technology helped to enhance the show.
Credits: Laser Designers: Jakub Marcinek, Anna Nadolna
Music: Jackson Frost, “Epic Dubstep 3”
YouTube link
This show was the opening entertainment for Australian Football League (AFL) Gather Round at the Adelaide Oval, South Australia. It was originally scheduled for the first day only, but the show was so well received that it was replayed every day of the 4 day festival. The intent of the show was to illustrate the teams coming to Adelaide, the team logos, the AFL branding stickers, AFL players, team clashes and high energy content. A key challenge was manually distributing the content across different lasers over the massive 185 m by 100 m (~600 x 300 ft) oval field.
Credits: Design by Ben Lawrence (Soulstorm Lasers) and Nisha Ramnath (Phase Designs). On-site programming and operation by Ben Lawrence. Lasers supplied by Lumina Visual Productions.
Music: Luude & Mattafix, “Big City Life”; Marlon Hoffstadt & Fisher, “It's That Time” (Fisher Remix); Kevin McKay, “Freed From Desire feat. Start the Party” (Jen Payne & CAMPS Remix); Darude, “Sandstorm”; Synthony, “Levels”
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
We added another layer to the vehicle deployment video. The laser particles and the shuttling lines interact with the car body as the scenes change, making the video more visually appealing. The laser engraving at the end of the video precisely projects the name of the car.
Credits: Laser Operator: Zen Xiong
Music: Original music track
YouTube link
Our task was to give a high-tech feel to six Volkswagen concept cars on a small stage. Vehicle movement paths and stage LED setups limited where we could place lasers. Still, we found ideal spots. While these locations didn't look dramatic on camera, the shallow-depth circular venue made the laser effects stunning for the audience. We used lasers to enhance the cars' unique looks and the dance performances.
Music: Original music track
YouTube link
The Innovation Award is among Germany’s most prestigious trophies for SMEs and Start-Ups. For the 40th anniversary of the award, the organizers had something special in mind. As the event location only had a very limited number of seats, this impressive beam show, which concluded the glamorous award ceremony, was presented to the TV audience at home via an internet live stream.
Credits: Show Designer: Florian Skrzypczak
Music: Woodkid, "Run Boy Run (instrumental)"
YouTube link
For Iceland’s 2024 Eurovision entry, we designed a laser show to match Hera Björk’s powerful vocals with elegance and energy. The goal was to complement the performance with clean, stylish laser looks that enhanced the music’s dynamic build-up without overshadowing the artist. A balance of simplicity and impact was key to delivering a classy, visually refined show.
Credits: Lead Programming & Operator: Love Karlsson; Programming & Operator: Anders Edström; Laser Safety Officer: Johan Lindell
Music: Hera Bjork, "Scared of Heights"
YouTube link
We created a fully synchronized laser show for Austria’s “We Will Rave” at Eurovision 2024. The design combined mapped laser effects on the LED floor with dynamic beams choreographed to the dancers. Tight integration with moving set elements and ultra-short changeovers demanded precise timing and innovative programming to ensure seamless execution during the live broadcast.
Credits: Lead Programming & Operator: Love Karlsson; Programming & Operator: Anders Edström; Laser Safety Officer: Johan Lindell
Music: Kaleen, "We Will Rave"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
The Last Goodbye Cinematic Experience offers an intimate glimpse into ODESZA's triumphant return to touring. Through candid interviews with the duo, their fans, and creative collaborators, the film explores the deep bond between the band and their audience, revealing how personal experiences shaped The Last Goodbye. Lasers are a common and connecting theme throughout the film. The lasers were filmed primarily for a home viewing audience, with unique camera methods employed. The ILDA Awards video includes excerpts of the laser effects that are interwoven with the primary story.
Credits: Creative Directors: Sean Kusanagi, Luke Tanaka; Production: Shane Crowl; Technicians: Glen Foy, John Hruska
Music: ODESZA – Various songs
YouTube link
During the filming of one of the scenes in the audio performance "Lukomorye", only a single laser was used. Despite the minimal technical setup, the visual impact of the scene was striking, thanks to the carefully crafted lighting design and the use of smoke effects. The laser beam cutting through the mist created an atmosphere of mystery and magic, immersing the audience in Pushkin’s fairytale world.
Credits: Technical Specialist: Sergey Zabosin
Music: Polnalyubvi, "Komety"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
HBO wanted to create a futuristic club scene for the new drug "Bliss" in the Batman side story of Oswald Cobblepot. Laser banding camera effect was the right choice from us.
Credits: Shane Martz, Matson McCrabb
Music: HBO MAX, “The Penguin Club Song”
YouTube link
This show was specially designed for the “Lord Of Lasers“ competition held in Wrocław in April 2025. Originally planned during the ILDA Conference in September 2024 it was cancelled due to flooding in Wrocław. We were able to choose the music ourselves so we decided to do a remixed 80’s medley. In this video you can see the final part of the 13-minute show including 38 atmospheric laser systems, two graphic laser systems as well as SFX, like pyro shots, flames, CO₂ launcher and sparkular.
Credits: Programming of Lasers and SFX: Markus Voggenberger & Helmut Gruber; Equipment Setup: Jarosław Nadolny & Team; Production: Leszek Tomaszewski; Camera: Jarosław Nadolny; Video Editing: Helmut Gruber
Music: Exhale ft. Queen, "The Show Must Go On (Exhale Hardstyle Bootleg)"
YouTube link
Emphasis was placed on creatively using 40 lasers to paint a precision timed experience for the audience.
Credits: Programming of Lasers, Pyro, Sparks, Flames, & Fog Jets: Nicolas Squire & Derek Garbos; Equipment Setup: Jarosław Nadolny & Team; Production: Leszek Tomaszewski
Music: Arista, “La Ziguezon (Psytrance remix)”; Outsiders, “Gimme Bass”
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
Incredibly challenging, but incredibly rewarding. A laser show for 40 lasers, played in a football stadium with the addition of fire, pyrotechnics, and other special effects helped create an amazing spectacle.
Credits: Laser Designers: Maciej Łukaszewski, Jakub Marcinek, Anna Nadolna; Equipment Setup: Jarosław Nadolny & Team; Production: Leszek Tomaszewski; Camera: Jarosław Nadolny
Music: Tommee Profitt, “In the End (Linkin Park Cover)”; Sagan, “Fire”; Maciej Goliasz, “Now We Are Free (Hans Zimmer remix)”
YouTube link
Lasers vividly bring one of the most dramatic and memorable scenes of Mozart’s timeless masterpiece “The Magic Flute” to life: The Queen of the Night extorts her own daughter to murder her rival, or else she be banished forever. One of the key difficulties in adapting this work to the medium laser was the lack of bass rhythm, the most typical musical feature of any beam show. The show designer masterfully solved this by synchronizing the beams to the rising and falling voice of the opera singer instead, perfectly capturing the gravitas of the moment.
Credits: Show Designer: Roman Schütz; Laser Arrangement Planetarium: Mirko Schinke; Videographer Planetarium: Nico Kuhn
Music: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, "Der Hölle Rache - Königin der Nacht (Die Zauberflöte)"
YouTube link
The visual content focuses on the sensuality of the female form and, to an extent, the male gaze and its reliance on carnal beauty. Rastered images on the sides of the rotating cube and in the photo frame depict contours of the female face – lips, eyes, curving locks of hair. The bridge of the song describes our “skewed” outlook on relationships in modern society. During that section, pulsating hearts in states of duress are struck by bolts of lightning, symbolizing the struggles we face in pursuing the perfect mate – a folly viewed through rose-colored lenses.
Credits: Imagery and Beams: Brian Adams
Music: Prince, "U Got The Look"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
We wanted to poke fun at the hysteria surrounding the lead-up to Y2K, where anything could happen. Preppers hoarded, cults were formed, some with ideas that aliens would abduct us! Before the advent of social media, we show a television as the primary news source, informing us of an alien crash. Of course, 1999 is about the need to party before the pending doom, so we focus on both the celebration and the story of alien abduction.
Credits: Imagery and Beams: Brian Adams
Music: Prince, "1999"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
Owl Festival is a smaller hardstyle event with big-stage ambitions. We delivered a laser show using a combination of high-power beam lasers and RGB laser bars to create a tightly programmed, high impact experience. Despite limited scale, the goal was to match the intensity of major festivals.
Credits: Programming & Operator: Anders Edström
Music: Owl Festival, "Intro"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
Laser effects performed live as well as pre-programmed during the all-night music festival.
Credits: Laser Designers: Jarosław Nadolny, Jakub Marcinek, Maciej Łukaszewski, Michał Gaborski
YouTube link
Laser effects performed live as well as pre-programmed during the all-night music festival.
Credits: Laser Designers: Jarosław Nadolny, Jakub Marcinek
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
The year is 2025. Humanity has become enslaved to content generated by AI. All forms of creativity have been suppressed. Come with us on a journey to rediscover what it means to be human.
Credits: Designers: Allen Harsting, Nathan Jin, Patrick Willett, Garrett Gosting; Operator, Ron Lake; LSO and Supply, Rick Hale
Music: Gareth Emery
YouTube link
Lasers are not merely used to create the atmosphere or capture the rhythm of the music. We delved deep into the background story of the show and created unique laser effects, including presenting the giant spiritual monster on the stage through 3D modeling and motion capture, the particle special effects that scatter and converge intermittently in scenes, the illumination of the dragon head totem representing the country of "DragonGate", using laser bars to simulate the penetrating feeling of a rainstorm, and using the lasers installed on a customized T-truss to create the head of a monster.
Credits: Laser Operators: Zen Xiong, Cong Lin
Music: MSR/Adam Gubman, Dreamer; MSR/BaoUner, The Forced March of Chernobog; MSR/Steven Grove, Ad astra; MSR/THE EITHER, Invitation to Wine; MSR/Taiga, Extinct; MSR/Adam Gubman, Lord of Wolves; MSR/Forts, Radiant; MSR/PMP, Break Through the Dome; Starset, Monster; Starset, Infected
YouTube link
For the European leg of Alan Walker’s Walkerworld tour, we were tasked with introducing fresh looks to the artist’s laser design. The show featured a range of elements, including laser projections on a kabuki drop during the intro, laser bars spanning the stage, and downward-terminating beams for added depth. All effects were carefully programmed and operated live; no timecode was used, allowing Alan full flexibility in his DJ performance.
Credits: Programming & Operator: Love Karlsson; Laser Techs: Victor Jönsson, Henrik Hoffman; Graphics Programming: Pieterjan Ruysch; Laser Safety Officer: Johan Lindell
Music: Alan Walker songs: "Walkerworld Intro”, “Lasers Remix”, “Laserbeam", "Move to Da Bass”, Alone Pt2 Remix”, “Welcome”, “Darkside”, "Man on the Moon"
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
Directed by Thomas Dechandon, who sought to create a spectacular alternative to traditional fireworks, this laser show created for Panam24 marks the Paris 2024 Olympic Games opening ceremony. With atmospheric and graphic designs enhanced by Eiffel Tower lighting, it features cutting-edge technology: two 600W laser beams, twelve RGBY 30W, twenty-six 80W, and fifty 60W lasers, delivering a breathtaking display of innovation and artistry.
Credits: Show Director: Thomas Dechandon; Programmer: Tara Winona; Project Director: Francois Vandermeeren; Technical Manager: Nathan Awouters
Music: Victor Le Masne, "Infinite"; Ceronne, "Supernature"; Victor Le Masne, "Parade IV"
YouTube link
This show is an uplifting tale of a mouse who rises above his rat oppressors by building a robotic tiger. The mouse uses his wits to make up for his physical strength and triumphs. During the song's breakdown, the mouse feels the power of and a connection to his creation.
Credits: Laser Programming: Nisha Ramnath; Equipment: MaxTENN; Show Producer: Pinnacle Lasers
Music: Katy Perry, "Roar"
YouTube link
A large-scale laser show was brought to life in Doha, illuminating two skyscrapers, each standing 220 meters tall. The project had extremely tight deadlines — just three days for content creation and two days for on-site setup and calibration. The show employed 36 laser projectors, with 18 units dedicated to each building. To achieve a bright and vivid image, a layering technique was used: each façade was covered by three groups of six lasers, ensuring high light intensity and sharp visuals even at such a large scale.
Credits: Art Director: Olga Saveleva; Laser Designers: Anna Usova, Mikhail Shebukov, Anastasia Izitsina, Dmitry Madrakhimov; Technical Specialists: Daniil Boiko, Aleksandr Balyberdin
Music: M-S-Studio, "Pathos"
YouTube link
Highland Gold Mining Ltd.is a gold producer with a strong reputation. They are engaged in a full cycle of gold mining and casting, including geological research and the creation of many jobs for workers. The company cares not only about making a profit, but also cares about the social benefits for employees – education, healthcare, sports and recreation. This laser show was created for a business corporate event of this company.
Credits: Laser Graphics: Kirill Nikitochkin; Project Manager: Taras Viter; Lasers Operator: Mikhail Smirnov
Music: Wave Music Studio, "An History"
YouTube link
This vibrant and dynamic performance is designed to bring you the magic, warmth, and joy of the holiday season. Spectacular laser effects, animations, and music come together in an unforgettable display to celebrate Christmas and the New Year with you.
Credits: Art Director: Olga Saveleva; Laser Designers: Anna Usova, Mikhail Shebukov, Anastasia Izitsina, Dmitry Madrakhimov; Technical Specialist: Sergey Zabosin
Music: Silverman Sound Studios, "Christmas Spirit"; Jack Pierce, "Awkward Dilemma"; Silent Partner, "Sugar Zone"; Wormwood Music, "Cartoon Intro"
YouTube link
This was created for the Lusail Sky Festival, which was held in Qatar. The animation tells the story of a young pilot who found his grandfather's old flight logbook and wants to follow in his footsteps.
Credits: Laser Designer: Anna Nadolna
Music: Maciej Goliasz, “Arabic Mood”
YouTube link
This is a single projector abstract show. Big and stompy with lots of shapes and sequences to evoke big destruction and explosions. Mechanical and natural mutations. Out of the atom was born the King of the Lizards. The hero we deserve.
Credits: Christopher Short
Music: Blue Oyster Cult, “Godzilla”; Bear McCreary cover for the 2019 “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” movie
YouTube link
This is a single projector abstract show. Siouxsie and the Banshees at their best. Post punk alternative goth with accordions and horns. I wanted to make a show that was seductive and a little unsettling. I used a nighttime palette with abstracts dancing in weird time and creepy shapes with tentacles. This show was so fiddly to do, but it needed to twist flow from one scene to another all graceful and strange to the music.
Credits: Christopher Short
Music: Siouxsie and the Banshees, “Peek-A-Boo”; Echo 3 cover for the 2001 “Jeepers Creepers” movie
YouTube link
This is a three-projector show. Something that's halfway between a hallucination and a photonic assault on your eyes. Layers of geometrics and tunnels. Temple doors, mandalas, or just your brain making symbols from noise? It starts with simple cycloids and builds and builds. It was a complex, but really fun show to make because I could just slam on the abstracts and fill the screen to the fantastic music with no holding back.
Credits: Christopher Short
Music: The Doors, “Break on Through (Infected Mushroom
Guitar remix)”
YouTube link
"Sky" is an immersive laser experience that transforms the night into a canvas of light, color, and sound. Inspired by the beauty and drama of the sky above us, the show leads the audience through a visual interpretation of natural phenomena — from the soft pastels of dawn to the intense energy of the sun, lightning storms and the calm wonder of a starry night.
Credits: Showdesign: Merlin Schaadt; Technical Management: Rico Behlke
Music: Supreme Devices, Epic Music World, David Klemencz, "Sky Is the Limit"
YouTube link
"Shadowless" is a hypnotic laser and mirror show set to the atmospheric track “Shadowless." Countless mirrors reflect and multiply the laser beams into a seemingly endless space of light. As the music evolves, so does the visual journey — from soft, flowing patterns to sharp, pulsating bursts. Reflections create illusions of depth and infinity, inviting the audience into a surreal world where light exists without shadow.
Credits: Showdesign: Merlin Schaadt; Technical Management: Rico Behlke
Music: Audiomachine, Mark Petrie, "Shadowless"
YouTube link
This show focuses on depth, perspective, eye focus and blending while creating shapes using precise geometry.
Credits: Nathan Jin
Music: Subtronics, Wooli, "Lock In"
YouTube link
This was created as the opening show for an electronic dance music festival. Being well aware of and falling in love with this famous part of "techno music history", we tried to create a laser show highlight with complex and new moving beam effects to honor this new incredible orchestra version of Sandstorm. The audience’s feedback confirmed our feelings. ;)
Credits: Show Design: Tobias Gebuhr
Music: Alex Christensen, "Sandstorm"
YouTube link
For nearly 20 years, the Christmas Laser Spectacular has raised over $100,000 for local charities using laser artistry to inspire attendees while providing meaningful support to those in need. The performance is fully donated and 100% of ticket sales directly support the community’s most vulnerable. This annual production blends modern laser displays with high production values, creating an engaging and emotionally impactful experience that resonates with audiences. The show’s enduring demand reflects its status as a cherished tradition, driven by its emotional and charitable impact.
Credits: Programmer: Mike Dunn; Live Operator: George Dodworth; Production: John Walker
Music: Lindsey Stirling, “Joy to the World”
YouTube link
This permanent installation at the Westin is designed to enhance seasonal street events with an immersive laser show that attracts and retains audiences to support local businesses. The show is operated from a permanently constructed rooftop laser booth that houses the projection lasers and playback computers. A special lifting mechanism was designed for the screen which is stowed in a hidden trough, and is deployed by an overhead crane system with minimal effort. Beam lasers live in permanent weather enclosures, and fog machine carts with wDMX are deployed on show nights.
Credits: Programmer: Mike Dunn; Design & Operator: George Dodworth; Production: John Walker
Music: Various songs and artists
YouTube link (blocked in some countries due to music copyright restrictions)
An enchanted night walk through a canyon of wonders. As night falls, an immersive storyworld comes to life. Follow a mystical deer on a journey in search of The Source, a legendary spring said to transform nature with the magic of water. Travel across a multimedia pathway of light, illusion and music to connect with nature in a bold new light.
Credits: Project Creation: Moment Factory; Survey and Laser Design: Derek Garbos; Laser Installation and Programming: Nicolas Squire
Music: Custom soundtrack
YouTube link
Starting in June 2023, BRC has opened four immersive installations for Great Wolf Lodge. The client's mission was to foster family togetherness through fun and adventure in a safe environment. This location-based signature attraction for the lodges is the first of its kind. The Legend of Luna opens new possibilities, turning otherwise ordinary spaces, like a hotel lobby, into immersive, storied places of wonder and magic. Lasers create pixie dust, stars and a lifelike aurora borealis; bringing viewers into Luna's world, letting them suspend disbelief and connect with the message of the story.
Credits: Creative Director: Edward Hodges; Technical Manager: Alex Mackay; Producer: Steven Farnsworth; Project Coordinator: Alex Eastman; Laser Installation: X-Laser; Laser Programming: Nisha Ramnath; Laser Install Technician: Dustin Derry
Music: Original score & narration produced by BRC Imagination Arts, "The Legend of Luna"
YouTube link
Lucida (I–VI), 2025. Lasers, acrylic, stainless steel, infrared cameras, software, speakers.
Lucida is the latest in Lachlan Turczan’s Veil Series, sculpting immersive environments from coherent light. Mist reveals dynamic veils that ripple and respond to movement, giving light a physical presence. As viewers engage, beams shift and bend, forming ephemeral architecture. Co-created with engineer Kevin Izard, Lucida explores a future shaped by perception, not mass.
Credits: Creators: Lachlan Turczan, Kevin Izard; Interaction: Will Michaelsen; Composer: Sebastian Sack
Music: Custom musical score by Sebastian Sack created for Studio Lachlan Turczan
YouTube link
I filmed this in an art gallery where we were set up to provide an artistic experience for a film production. It was an unusual setup with many effects, and I was trying to stretch out and use everything.
Credits: Laser Programmer: Tim Walsh
Music: Haydn, "Creation"
YouTube link
A Light Desert: The LuxoLaser was born out of a challenge to produce an edible laser, continuing my research into small-scale lasers. This is intended for a banquet situation, where a desert sheet cake can be lit with lumia. A Luxo lamp was dismantled, and its innards replaced with an RGB lumia rig. This lights up white frosting perfectly, and can be used on wedding cakes, pasta alfredo, or any light-colored food. The LuxoLaser runs off 12V DC and comes with a power supply. It has the required CDRH warnings. There is a dimmer switch built in and individual power trim pots for each color.
Credits: In Charge: Mike Gould
YouTube link
"Particle Play" is an interactive laser installation that allows real-time generated laser particles to be moved across a projection surface. Input options include hand trackers or body trackers. By directing the particles to certain "trigger areas," any interactive action can be triggered. In the video, for example, spotlights were activated. If the user remains still, the particles disappear. The entire installation was developed in TouchDesigner, and all laser graphics are generated in real time with TouchDesigner.
Credits: Idea & Programming: Martin Nowosad; Actress: Susanna Bergmann
Music: Tasty Audio, "Energy Pop Punk"
YouTube link
This is the first ever FAA-approved laser show from an aircraft in the United States. It took place over Burning Man in August 2024. Lasers, lights and pyrotechnics were mounted on the airplane. The show was performed and controlled by the pilots. One pilot flew the plane and controlled the pyrotechnics. The other controlled the laser and lights. The show lasted for approximately 15 minutes.
Credits: Milne “CC” Pocock, Christi Masi
Music: I mixed a soundtrack with music for the show. There were many mobile and fixed stages on the ground, and they all were playing different music at the time, so it was not possible to sync our soundtrack with all of them during the show. Many or most people on the ground just saw the plane flying, with no sync'd music, as shown in the entry video.
YouTube link
Winners selected by ILDA Members viewing photos online and voting via email
See photo above
This photo was taken during the Qadsiah Festival 2024 in Al Khobar, KSA. It captures the Al Khobar Water Tower with lasers and video mapping. Our task was to illuminate the largest water reservoir in the world so it could be clearly seen from a distance and from the surrounding area.
Credits: Photographer: Sara Simkovicova
Each laser emits only one color: red, green or blue. The light mixes in the air to create cyan, magenta, yellow and white.
Credits: Nathan Jin
A laser net crisscrosses the globe, representative of our modern, interconnected world. Touching even the most remote corners, the net brings us all closer together –– or does it?
Credits: Photographer: Florian Skrzypczak; Laser Design: Werner Most
The Laser Jockey competition was held November 4, 2025 during the ILDA Conference. Attendees viewed the competitors’ live performance, then voted for their favorites. The top three vote-getters received First, Second and Third Place in this category.
1st: Derek Garbos, LaserTech Canada Inc.
2nd: Nicolas Squire, LaserTech Canada Inc.
3rd: Matthias Frank, University of Bonn - Institute of Computer Science 4 (Laser & Light Lab)
For more information on how the judging and scoring was done, see the "2025 judging and scores" section below.
General Judges
Matthias Frank, Tim Hallmark, Horacio Pugliese
IDN Judges
Theo Dari, Tim Hallmark, Horacio Pugliese
A laser projector fitted with a comprehensive range of features suitable for laser display professionals, big displays and touring. The latest generation of Clubmax FB4 IP65 projectors represents an ideal standard for all those who need top-notch lasers that are reliable, powerful, compact, relatively light and easy to work with. The three models offer power outputs of 18, 24, and 40 watts in waterproof IP65 robust housing. They also have unique features that help show designers and operators work as quickly and efficiently as possible, especially at complex, large-scale installations.
A 1500-watt large-format full-color static laser beam with high luminous flux for landmark illumination. The Architect laser projector is built as a robust and IP65-certified container equipped with a closed-circuit water cooling unit. It outputs a 1500-watt large-format laser beam and is made to be used permanently in most outdoor environments. Due to its beam proportions and high luminous flux of 403,300 lm, it is considered as the most visible, single-source lighting fixture on the market.
The reference code library for the Helios DAC has been updated with seamless IDN support. This makes it easy for software developers to add support for output to IDN devices. The code is also open source, meaning that any developer can modify it to their needs, as well as study the implementation to learn more about the IDN protocol and translate it to other programming languages if necessary. The library is built to be cross-platform and is tested on both Windows, Mac and Linux. The library is publicly available as a Github repository: github.com/Grix/helios_dac/tree/master/sdk/cpp
Credits: Software Programming: Gitle Mikkelsen. The following people are not directly involved in the entry, but I wish to acknowledge their help and support during development: Dirk Apitz, development assistance and reference code; Matthias Frank, development assistance; Matthieu Beghin, testing and feedback; Luc Pinguet, testing and feedback
The “IDN-File-Recorder” is user friendly, flexible and can be used on Windows, Linux or (soon to follow) macOS operating systems. To create visual feedback to the user whether the IDN streams are correctly coming in:
• Incoming stereo audio data is visualized with a typical two-channel level indicator
• Incoming laser stream data is visualized individually for each offered IDN service
• The color indicator R, G, B each shows the maximum sample values for R,G,B
• The X-Y indicator shows an outline of the sample coordinates used in the same interval, filled with the respective RGB color
Credits: The work on the IDN-File-Recorder started in October 2023 in a Bachelor project course and is being carried out by students Maliheh Fakhraei and Seyed Hamid Vahabian. Both are still working on the project for their Bachelor theses in 2025. Our work on the ILDA Digital Network generally is only possible with the diligent help of students of (DE) Bachelor Informatik and (EN) Master Computer Science.
At the 2024 ILDA Conference in Wrocław, I wanted to perform my own unique arrangement of Polish folk music. Knowing from past experience how limited time is for setup, I used IDN to streamline the process so that when on site, I could playback my laser/audio backing tracks on IDN, and then concentrate upon my own performance on digital horn. I hope that this entry shows how the use of IDN can simplify a complex situation by working in the background. I think anyone watching the performance would come away thinking that it looked pretty simple and easy, and maybe they could do the same thing!
Credits: Musical arrangement and performance, laser music creation, laser graphics creation: Tim Walsh; Creator of the program “Parsec” used to record the laser and music signals into IDN: Dirk Apitz; On-site IDN playback, mixing and recording: Matthias Frank
In 2025, ILDA received 135 artistic video entries and 14 photography entries from 33 different Member companies. There were three general and two IDN Fenning Technical Award entries from three ILDA Members and one non-member. (Non-members can submit for the IDN award.). There were six Career Achievement Award nominees voted on by Members.
Judging dates
• The artistic entries were judged in May 2025 by an online panel of 17 judges (listed earlier on this webpage). Each category had three judges assigned. This was done to ensure judges did not evaluate any category where they had entries, and to spread out the workload of viewing so many entries.
• Laser Photography and Career Achievement Award entries were judged by ILDA Members voting online, June 16-27, 2025.
• Fenning technical entries were judged via online discussion of the three-member panels (listed earlier on this webpage). The judges voted July 18, 2025.
• Laser Jockey entries were performed and judged in person by attendees during the ILDA Conference in Huntsville, Alabama on November 4, 2025.
Judges’ scores
The 2025 artistic judges viewed the entries in their assigned categories via a secure, private video link. They rated each entry on a 0-10 scale according to three factors: Artistic Competency, Quality and Variety of Laser Effects, and Visuals Following Music (sync).
They also ranked each entry as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. within its category. The rankings were then converted into a 0-10 scale where the highest ranked entry (1st) received 10 points, the lowest ranked entry received 0 points, and entries in between received a number of points between 10 and 0 depending on the number of entries in the category. The chart below shows how 1st-2nd-3rd rankings are converted into 0-10 points:
For each entry in a category, the four 0-10 point scores — Artistic, Laser Effects, Sync and Ranking — were added up for each judge, and then the three judges' scores were added together to give a final score.
The highest scoring entry in a category won First Place, the second-highest won Second Place, and the third-highest won Third Place. In case of a tie, judges were asked to review the tied entries and express their preference. The entry with more judges' preferences won the higher placement.
Artistic awards results
For the artistic awards (including Laser Photography but not including Laser Jockey), in 2025 there were 46 winning video entries, from 24 different ILDA Members. This means that slightly over two-thirds of Members who submitted for an artistic award won First, Second or Third Place.
Below is some information about the entries' scores. This may be of interest to persons who submitted in 2025, as well as those submitting for future Awards:
• The "Results for all entrants" spreadsheet lists all of the 2025 artistic Award entries, and the scores they received from the judges. (For this public version, the show names and entrant names have been removed.) The most important column is "AVG. SCORE". This has been color coded, so that green means an entry received an above-average score in its category, yellow indicates an average score, and orange & red indicates a below-average score. The Average Score is used to determine the First, Second and Third Place winners.
• All Members who entered the 2025 Awards were emailed their row numbers and entry names. Here is an example, using made-up information. They can match this information with the row numbers in the anonymous "Results for all entrants" spreadsheet, so the Member can know how his or her entries did, relative to others in the same category. If the judges made notes on the entry, those notes are included.
• The Laser Photography category was voted on by Members making a preference ranking of all entrants. Forty-six Members voted. A vote for a person's 1st favorite gained 14 "points" since there were 14 entries. A vote as 2nd favorite gained 13 points, a 3rd favorite gained 12 points, a 4th favorite gained 11 points, etc. The entry with the highest point total received First Place; the entry with the second-highest point total received Second Place, etc. The scores are shown below. Only the names of the First, Second and Third Place winners have been publicly released; the other entries remain anonymous.
Laser Jockey competition scoring
The Laser Jockey competition was voted by persons attending the ILDA Conference in Huntsville, Alabama on November 4, 2025. Each of the three contestants played live to a randomly selected piece of music. The Laser Jockey contestants, and the voting audience were live in the Conference laser theater.
All attendees in the room, except for the contestants, were given a ballot. The contestants played in a random order and were unknown to the attendee voters, who gave each performance a score from 0 to 10.
There were 30 ballots received. Scoring was done by adding up the score that each contestant received from the voters. The contestant with the highest number of points received First Place. The First Place winner, Derek Garbos of LaserTech Canada, won with 279 total points. Second Place went to Nicolas Squire, also of LaserTech Canada, with 277 points. Third Place went to Matthias Frank of the University of Bonn Laser Lab with 193 points.
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