Moscow is set to host its first Projection Light Festival, an event that organisers say will combine cutting-edge audiovisual technology with large-scale art and music performances.
Running from 30 to 31 August at the Moskino Cinema Park, the festival is expected to transform the site into a cultural hub showcasing immersive installations, live music, and interactive light displays.
The initiative is being organised by the Moscow Department of Culture, which described it as an effort to merge cinema, digital art, and music into a new format of urban entertainment.
International stars join
The festival will feature performances from international musicians. On 30 August, Swedish-Congolese R&B artist Mohombi will headline. A songwriter, dancer, and award-winning performer, Mohombi has received honours including the Kora All African Music Awards and the Billboard Music Awards, with his tracks streamed more than 550 million times worldwide.
On 31 August, the spotlight will shift to American rapper and producer Busta Rhymes. Known for his rapid lyrical style and energetic stage presence, the artist has won multiple accolades, including the BET Hip-Hop Awards and the MTV Europe Music Awards. His music has been streamed more than 650 million times globally.
Organisers say more than 10 artists will perform across various stages during the two-day event, with shows designed to blend sound, light, and motion.
A city of light
Beyond music, the Projection Festival will highlight immersive art installations. The park’s main alley will be turned into an LED tunnel, creating what organisers call a “cinematic corridor of light and motion”.
One of the central attractions will be a video mapping project titled Moscow of the 1940s. Using archival images reinterpreted with modern digital tools, the installation will bring to life scenes of everyday city life from that period. The façade of the park’s clock tower will serve as the main projection screen.
Another installation will feature a full-scale airplane with animated lighting, designed to simulate motion and direct visitor flow. Each installation will be paired with musical elements to enhance the immersive effect.
Cultural ambition
The festival’s organisers say the event reflects Moscow’s ambition to strengthen its role as a hub for creative industries.
“The Moscow Cinema Cluster is becoming a popular destination not only for the film industry but for the entertainment scene as a whole — from music to digital art,” said a statement from Moskino’s press office. “The Projection Festival shows how technology can enhance the perception of art and transform urban spaces into the media environments of the future.”
Tickets for the festival are available online, with separate passes offered for parking.
