I created the spotlight with a CSS3 radial gradient. I used pointer-events: none; on the element with the gradient so that mouse events would "go through" that element to the content below (the links). The lighting shadow casting effect is created via a box shadow and a text shadow. I'm adjusting the offset of the shadows based on the mouse position, and I'm also adjusting the blur on the shadows based on the distance of the "light source" for the content that is "casting" a shadow.