ACT Entertainment 2025 MA3 Programming Contest
- LimeLightWired
- Apr 1
- 2 min read
Sun's Out. School's almost out. Now its time to show out.
Whether you just wrapped up finals or finally have a break between gigs, there’s no better time to level up your MA3 chops. The 2025 ACT Entertainment MA3 Programming Contest is officially live—and this year, ACT is throwing it back with an EDM-fueled theme that’s all about energy, movement, and iconic tracks.
Pick your song. Build your show. Prove what you can do.
This Year’s Theme:
Program a full timecoded show to one of these anthems:
"Animals" – Martin Garrix
"Clarity" – Zedd (feat. Foxes)
"Shelter" – Porter Robinson and Madeon
"Behind the Sun" – Odesza
"10:35" – Tiësto (feat. Tate McRae)
"Happier" – Marshmello (feat. Bastille)
"Ghosts 'n' Stuff" – Deadmau5 (feat. Rob Swire)
What You Can Win:
Grand Prize
🏆 For your school: (1) grandMA3 onPC command wing XT + (1) grandMA3 viz-key
🎉 For you: (1) grandMA3 viz-key
1st & 2nd Runner-Up
🏆 For your school: (1) grandMA3 onPC command wing + (1) grandMA3 viz-key
🎉 For you: (1) grandMA3 viz-key
Plus: more surprise prizes may drop—stay tuned.
ACT 2025 MA3 Programming Contest
The 2025 ACT Programming Contest is the best way to build your grandMA3 programming skills, get some (virtual) hands-on with Ayrton fixtures, and win some top-tier MA3 hardware. Plus, you get connected with the ACT community.
Visit the official competition page here: ACT Academy
About the Contest
Rules for Participating
Open to students enrolled in a secondary or higher education program in the U.S. or Canada.
Compete individually while representing your institution.
Entries will be judged by a panel of industry pros (we’ll reveal the lineup soon). Winners take the spotlight this December at LDI 2025 in Las Vegas.
Submissions are accepted April 1, 2025 - August 31, 2025
Rules for Programming
ACT Entertainment provides a grandMA3 show file featuring Ayrton fixtures—you work with this foundation.
A Magic Sheet is included for reference (we dropped the PDF download, and images for you to check out below)
Fixture types and positions cannot be altered.
You may patch up to 12 additional fixtures of any type, placed anywhere (including hanging positions, if desired).
grandMA3 Bitmap functionality (including NDI as a source) is fair game. No external pixel mapping or video elements.
Lighting Plot PDFs:
Rules for Submission
Send entries to academy@actentertainment.com
Students must copy a faculty sponsor or have the sponsor submit on their behalf.
Subject line must include: "grandMA3 Programming Contest 2025"
Multiple entries from the same institution are welcome.
Required submission materials:
Video recording with audio showcasing the programmed performance.
Completed grandMA3 show file.
Playback must be recorded using timecode.
From Us
Craft a strong show, stand out, and you could walk away with some serious gear.
Use this competition as a creative playground—test your instincts, learn by doing, and build something you're proud to share!
Get all the official details straight from ACT Entertainment here.
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