Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.
Banijay is the world's largest independent content creation Group for television and multimedia platforms. Banijay is present in 16 territories.

Tag Archive: Romain Sarfati

  1. Acclaimed Immersive Spectacle LUMINISCENCE arrives at São Paulo’s Cathedral da Sé in 2026

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    After captivating one million spectators around the world, the immersive show LUMINISCENCE will arrive in Brazil in January 2026, taking over São Paulo’s Cathedral da Sé for the first time, one of the most iconic landmarks in the city center. This new show forms part of Endemol Shine Brasil’s continued expansion into live and experiential entertainment.

    The attraction is a sensory journey that combines light projections and a symphonic soundtrack – featuring live orchestra and choir – transforming historic monuments into true stages of art. Created by LOTCHI (a Banijay Live company) in France and now an international cultural phenomenon, LUMINISCENCE has already been presented in cathedrals and basilicas across France, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain, and the United States.

    The choice of the Cathedral da Sé as the stage for LUMINISCENCE reinforces the proposal to unite art, technology, and history in a unique experience. One of São Paulo’s most iconic landmarks, the space takes on new life as it transforms into a setting for lights, music, and emotion, creating a dialogue between heritage and innovation.

    The spectacle has already captivated Europe, with 19 LUMINISCENCE shows, each running for several months across major cities including Paris, Nice, Münster, Barcelona, Delft and Brussels. With original musical arrangements, three-dimensional projections that interact with architecture, and a live choir, LUMINISCENCE offers a complete immersion in sound, light, and memory – a journey where light becomes language and space becomes the protagonist.

    LUMINISCENCE reinforces the commitment of Banijay Entertainment & Banijay Live to 360° entertainment that goes beyond screens, connecting and engaging audiences in different contexts and experiences.

    “It is a privilege to bring LUMINISCENCE to Brazil, especially in such a symbolic space as the Cathedral da Sé in São Paulo. This initiative is part of the company’s business expansion strategy in the live events sector, with the goal of offering Brazilian audiences the same emotion that has already captivated thousands of people around the world,” said Nani Freitas, CEO of Endemol Shine Brasil.

    “Expanding LUMINISCENCE to Brazil marks a beautiful new chapter in our journey. The Cathedral da Sé offers us an extraordinary canvas where light, music, and architecture will come alive. We’re genuinely proud and excited to welcome Brazilian audiences into a shared moment of wonder, emotion, and connection,” said Romain Sarfati, co-founder of LOTCHI.

    “Live events are vital to the evolution of Banijay Americas, and we look forward to forging meaningful connections with our audiences through narratives that celebrate architectural marvels and the rich tapestry of history,” said Ben Samek, CEO of Banijay Americas.

    “More than a cultural event, LUMINISCENCE is an opportunity for brands to be part of an experience that combines history, art, and technology. We want our partners to be present in moments that move and create genuine connections with the public, transforming historic spaces into stages of light and emotion,” said Fernanda Abreu, VP of Live Entertainment, Licensing, and Influencer Marketing of Endemol Shine Brasil.

    The waitlist will open on December 2, 2025, and the pre-sale begins on December 8. General ticket sales start on December 9 this year, on Fever website. The first performance open to the public will take place on January 16, 2026.

  2. LOTCHI Brings Acclaimed Immersive Experience LUMINISCENCE to Brussels Illuminating Cathedral of Saints Michael & Gudula

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    Following sold-out performances across Europe and the United States, LUMINISCENCE, the immersive sound and light experience from LOTCHI, a Banijay Live company, will make its Belgian debut at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula in Brussels on 11 December 2025. The launch, LUMINISCENCE’s 20th show in 18 global cities, forms part of Gudula26 – dedicated to celebrating the cathedral’s 800th anniversary.

     Created and produced by LOTCHI, the originators of LUMINISCENCE, the show transforms the cathedral, a jewel of Brabantine Gothic architecture, into a living work of art. Through monumental 360-degree video mapping, original music, and live choral performances, the experience reveals eight centuries of the cathedral’s history – from its construction to its key rebirths – allowing audiences to connect with the space in a deeply emotional and sensory way.  

    “Every site we visit has its own story, its own soul,” said Romain Sarfati, Co-founder and CEO of LOTCHI. “Bringing LUMINISCENCE to Brussels allows us to celebrate the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula not just as a historic monument, but as a living, breathing part of our shared cultural heritage. We hope audiences will leave with a renewed sense of wonder, connection, and pride in the stories that these walls hold.” 

    Audiences will be guided through a sensory prelude in the nave, accompanied by a soloist and cultural panels exploring the cathedral’s history. The 45-minute main show features the cathedral’s guardian spirit narrating the story, enhanced by immersive 360° projections. Select evenings will feature the LUMINISCENCE Orchestra, made up of 11 musicians, blending live orchestral music with the region’s finest choir, transforming the performance into a fully immersive auditory and visual experience. 

    The Brussels debut marks another key step in LUMINISCENCE’s international expansion, following Banijay Live’s acquisition of LOTCHI earlier this year.  Already, the show has reached new audiences in France, Germany, the Netherlands, Spain, the United States and now Belgium. Leveraging Banijay Entertainment’s international scale, the show has become a flagship example of how storytelling can transcend screens into large-scale cultural experiences. 

    Following the success of its German debut in Münster earlier this year, LUMINISCENCE will also illuminate the Lorenzkirche in Nuremberg from 6 February 2026, marking the show’s second venue in Germany. Produced by Banijay Germany in collaboration with the Lorenzkirche, this edition combines 360° video mapping, live choral music and original orchestral compositions to reveal the architecture and soul of one of Bavaria’s most remarkable Gothic landmarks.

    Produced by Banijay Germany Live (Banijay Germany’s all-new dedicated division), in collaboration with the Lorenzkirche, this edition combines 360° video mapping, live choral music and original orchestral compositions to reveal the architecture and soul of one of Bavaria’s most remarkable Gothic landmarks.

    LUMINISCENCE will also return to the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice with a brand-new show, The Celestial Odyssey, premiering on 28 November 2025. This production offers a renewed narrative, reimagined scenes, and a new musical composition, demonstrating LOTCHI’s commitment to continuously evolving and creating unique experiences for each venue. 

    LUMINISCENCE now represents one of the fastest-growing immersive touring franchises in Europe, with six shows currently live, and acts as a key pillar in Banijay Live’s international growth strategy. 

    Tickets for Brussels go on sale 19 November 2025 via luminiscence.com/brussels. The show opens 11 December 2025 at the Cathedral of Saints Michael and Gudula and runs through early 2026. For tickets to upcoming performances at the Basilica of Notre-Dame in Nice, visit luminiscence.com/nice; tickets for the Lorenzkirche in Nuremberg will be available at luminiscense.com/nuernberg from 25 November 2025.

  3. Spectacular Immersive Experience LUMINISCENCE Arrives in Barcelona After Sell-Out Run

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    After enchanting almost a million spectators throughout Europe, LUMINISCENCE is set to arrive in Barcelona with a stunning immersive experience that will transform the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi into a temple of light, music and emotion. Created by Banijay Live’s LOTCHI, and produced by Banijay Iberia, LUMINISCENCE will combine live music, narration, 360º video mapping and 3D projection to bring the walls of this historic cathedral and its story to life.

    Fusing cutting-edge technology with immersive storytelling and music, LUMINISCENCE has established itself as a cultural phenomenon through shows across Europe, previously making its Spanish debut in San Sebastián this summer, where more than 50,000 people have already enjoyed the experience – set to end later this month.

    Audiences in Barcelona are set to enjoy a multi-sensory experience celebrating the exceptional musical repertoires of Beethoven, Bach, Verdi, Vivaldi, Satie, Schubert, Debussy and other great composers, and enhanced by the supporting visual narrative and natural acoustics of the space. With sessions in Catalan and Spanish, the space will be filled with live choral music by the voices of the Francesc Valls Choir, founded in the city in 2003, and directed by Pere Lluís Biosca. A popular Catalan piece will also be performed a cappella.

    Pilar Blasco, CEO of Banijay Iberia, comments: “With the launch of LUMINISCENCE, we are putting our experience to work in producing live events that create unforgettable cultural moments. We are diversifying our offering with original projects that resonate internationally, while continuing to launch new live experiences we are passionate about.”

    LUMINISCENCE has been hugely popular with audiences so far, with visitors already heaping praise on the show: “An absolutely unique, exciting and immersive experience”; “The place and the music create a magic that is difficult to describe”; and “A show that you cannot miss”.

    Romain Sarfati, co-founder of LOTCHI, said: “Our mission is to preserve, transmit, and promote heritage worldwide, offering an artistic and inclusive experience that allows the greatest number of people to discover the cultural richness of these spaces, regardless of their age, culture, nationality or religion.”

    Advance tickets will be available soon and visitors can join the waitlist now by going to luminiscence.com/barcelona. Tickets will also be available for purchase in person from the Basilica, as well as the Cathedral of Barcelona and Tourist Information Offices nearby.

    The show has already been staged in historic cathedrals in several European countries including France, Germany and Spain, and will debut in the Netherlands in November. Outside Europe, LUMINISCENCE will premiere in North America at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis.

    About the Basilica of Santa Maria del Pi

    Considered one of the emblematic Gothic temples of Barcelona, the Basilica of Santa María del Pi was built between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. It features an imposing single nave, more than 54 meters long and 16 meters high, and a magnificent rose window, one of the largest in Europe. Located in the Gothic Quarter, a few steps from Las Ramblas, it is a living testimony to the spirituality and medieval artistic splendour of the city.

  4. IMMERSIVE LIVE MUSIC EXPERIENCE ‘LUMINISCENCE’ TO MAKE U.S. DEBUT AFTER SOLD-OUT EUROPEAN RUN

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     After captivating nearly one million spectators in Europe, LUMINISCENCE makes its North American debut at The Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. The basilica will be illuminated via 360-degree video mapping, while spectators listen to the rich and varied history of a U.S. landmark accompanied by a blend of live choir, organ and instrumental music. Stone walls will become living canvases as video mapping paints them with moving light. The immersive experience includes over 100 shows beginning October 31 and continuing through the new year. 

    “We’re excited to welcome LUMINISCENCE to The Basilica of Saint Mary, opening our doors to everyone and inviting them to experience the sacred in a new way,” said Fr. Daniel Griffith, pastor at The Basilica of Saint Mary. “At a moment when many are searching for deeper meaning, this immersive storytelling experience offers a unique path to reflection, connection and a renewed sense of community.” 

    The show, which has consistently played to sold-out audiences in Europe, is a multi-sensory experience that integrates art and live music with state-of-the-art technology. The Basilica of Saint Mary, which will mark the 100th anniversary of its designation as the first U.S. basilica in 2026, is the kickoff location for LUMINISCENCE in the United States. LUMINISCENCE has celebrated the history and heritage of cathedrals throughout Europe and is now bringing this immersive live music experience to the United States, telling the story of America’s landmark places of worship, as the country celebrates its 250th anniversary year. 

    “With our North American debut of LUMINISCENCE, we continue our mission to reveal the emotional power of heritage through immersive storytelling,” said Romain Sarfati, co-founder of LOTCHI, creator of LUMINISCENCE. “By blending light, sound and narration, we invite audiences of all ages and backgrounds to not just see sacred spaces, but to feel them, offering a fresh, universal perspective on history and memory.” 

    On September 16, spectators can sign up to receive first access to tickets for LUMINISCENCE by going to luminiscence.com/minneapolis. The show opens on Friday, October 31, at The Basilica of Saint Mary in downtown Minneapolis, continuing through early 2026. Performances are scheduled weekdays and weekends. 

    “LUMINISCENCE is a meticulously designed immersive experience that surrounds each guest with light, sound and story,” said Ben Samek, CEO Banijay Americas. “While the narrative follows a defined structure, the impact is uniquely personal, inviting individual reflection and connection. More than a visual installation, it reimagines audience engagement by breaking the fourth wall and delivering a new standard in experiential storytelling.” 

    The show has already been staged in historic cathedrals in several European countries, including France, Germany and Spain, with more to come including in the Netherlands. LUMINISCENCE was created by Lotchi and will be produced in the U.S. by Banijay Live USA. 

  5. Banijay Germany brings France’s best-rated immersive show, LUMINISCENCE to Germany for the first time

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    Banijay Germany, part of content powerhouse Banijay Entertainment, is expanding into live entertainment in a new cooperation with leading French immersive show producer, LOTCHI, a Banijay Live company, to bring LUMINISCENCE to Germany for the first time. The production tells the story of venerable cathedrals in the interplay of innovative technology and live music with choir and organ – via a mystical voice from off-screen and with an additional exhibition. The German edition will celebrate its premiere from 4 September in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Münster, in the year of the 800th anniversary of the laying of the foundation stone. LUMINISCENCE  was created by LOTCHI and will now be produced by Banijay Germany’s Brainpool Live Entertainment and CAPE CROSS Entertainment Services.

    With its hugely successful sold-out debut in France, the start-up LOTCHI, founded in 2023, has reached  over 500,000 visitors  to date with LUMINISCENCE. In France, it has already taken place in Paris Saint-Eustache Church, Bordeaux Cathedral, Lille Cathedral, Nice Basilica, Rouen Cathedral and Reims Basilica. In May, LUMINISCENCE  launched in San Sebastián (Buen Pastor Cathedral), with Germany the third country to follow.

    The live business is  not new territory  for Banijay Germany: Brainpool Live Entertainment can look back on a great deal of expertise in the implementation of numerous nationwide tour events, primarily in the comedy sector. CAPE CROSS Entertainment Services as a partner brings the technical full service know-how in the field of events and shows. Brainpool Live Entertainment is cooperating  with its external partner Fever for ticket sales.

    Ingrid Langheld, Managing Director of Brainpool Live Entertainment: “LUMINISCENCE has made it its mission to tell the fascinating stories of special cathedrals. At a time when we are looking for enriching and captivating experiences, the combination of architecture, voice, music and light creates a unique and poignant atmosphere. We are delighted to bring this extraordinary cultural event to Germany.”

    Manuel Meloh, Managing Director  of CAPE CROSS Entertainment Services: “Cathedrals impress with their centuries-old history and spiritual atmosphere. The highest precision is required for the projection with modern 360° projection technology – especially when it comes to the precise alignment with the architecture and the sensitive handling of the complex acoustics.  The technical implementation in such a room is demanding – but the result promises an immersive experience that will inspire the audience in the long term.”

    Romain Sarfati, Founder, LOTCHI: “LUMINISCENCE was born from the desire to bring heritage sites to life through emotion, technology, and storytelling. With Banijay Live by our side, we’ve been able to scale this vision beyond borders. Germany marks an exciting new chapter, and we’re proud to collaborate with Banijay Germany’s exceptional teams to deliver this immersive journey to one of Europe’s most iconic cathedrals. Together, we aim to create unforgettable experiences that celebrate history and spark collective wonder.”

    LUMINISCENCE will take place several times a week in St. Paul’s Cathedral in Münster from 4 September.

    Advance ticket sales start June 26 at www.luminiscence.com/muenster/.