Speakers
Ana Seidl
Senior Account Executive at Red Button
With over 12 years of experience, Ana Seidl is a digital marketing expert, specialized in the video game and Esports sectors. She focuses on helping brands to connect with their audiences through strategic advertising and influencer collaborations. Currently working at RedButton, she leads marketing efforts that drive engagement and growth for her customers.
Casandra Yamile Garcia Cadeñanes
CEO of Tachido Games
Casandra Yamile has six years of experience in various roles, ranging from production to art direction and illustration for brands and children's audiences. She graduated in animation and digital art from ITESM. Her recognition includes second place at Creativa Guadalajara and national and international awards in the creative and entrepreneurial sectors.
Bernard François
CEO of PreviewLabs
At the end of 2009, Bernard decided to combine his passion for game design and game programming by starting the first company dedicated to the development of prototypes using game technology. PreviewLabs turns ideas into interactive prototypes, allowing its clients to evaluate concepts early on. This service enables them to explore more different concepts and ultimately helps them to be more successful developing new products.
Amélie Fabre
COO at Gara Store
Passionate about digital, Amélie’s career has given her rich and varied experiences: From a job of product owner in a small company, learning to manage limited resources while meeting user needs, to business analyst in a multinational, where she gained a deeper understanding of global markets and complex environments.
Elizabeth Andrews
Vocal Stunt Performer at The Monster factory
Elizabeth Andrews who has more than 14 years experience as a metal vocalist in extreme voice techniques both on stage and in the studio. She is also a vocalist, lyricist & frontwoman of the Swedish melodic death metal band Frantic Amber. Elizabeth is also one of vocal stunt performers at The Monster Factory, debuting with voicing Illtauga in Hellblade 2
Sébastien Croteau
CEO of The Monster Factory
Metal vocalist since 1991 (Necrotic Mutation) and throat singer (Tibetan, Mongolia and Inuit throat-singing) since 1996, Sébastien Croteau masters an impressive number of extreme vocal techniques. He began teaching metal voices and throat-singing 15 years ago. Since then, he has trained hundreds of metal vocalists and voice talents around the world and he is a renowned expert in vocal distortion, extreme sounds and creature voice design.
Molly Heady-Carroll
Creature Consultant and co-founder of Arcane Circus
Irish-born Molly Heady-Carroll is a 2D artist and animator based in the Netherlands who specializes in all things creatures. Always obsessed with studying animals (especially reptiles), she now makes up her own as a Creature Consultant in the games and animation industry. In 2014, alongside his studies, he decided to get into video games to promote Africa and created his first game, which was a success in 2018.
Jennifer Lufau
DEI & Social Media Consultant in Games, Founder of Afrogameuses
With a strong background in social media and marketing at Ubisoft, Jennifer is a communication and diversity consultant in gaming and tech. As a content creator, she shares her expertise on social media and analyzes the gaming industry, raising her voice at the RFI international radio. As a seasoned speaker and consultant, Jennifer has been working with French and international game studios to help them create better narratives and communicate their games in an inclusive way. In 2014, alongside his studies, he decided to get into video games to promote Africa and created his first game, which was a success in 2018.
Adinda van Oosten
Game journalist, teacher and coach
Adinda van Oosten combined her bachelor's degree in China Studies with a degree in Game Design and Development. Leveraging this combination she landed a full time internship as a game designer at 宇峻奧汀(Userjoy) in Taiwan and at Pillogames in the Netherlands. After joining a Game Jam in Guangzhou she came to realize that she enjoyed teaching more than making games and continued her studies with a game design and research Master in Germany. In 2014, alongside his studies, he decided to get into video games to promote Africa and created his first game, which was a success in 2018.
Ruslana Kruchek
Co-Founder, Brand Manager, Art Director at VP Production
Ruslana Kruchek is the co-founder, brand manager, and art director of VP Production — a Ukrainian audio agency that crafts impactful sound for games, brands, and apps. She comes from a marketing background and switched to full-time work in the audio agency in 2019. Ruslana is responsible for VP Production’s work pipelines and unique data-driven approach to creating game audio.
Gabriel Esteves
IP Attorney
As an IP attorney, Gabriel Esteves is heavily involved in the French and European video game industry. He has 10 years' experience in the resolution of legal matters and he intervenes in all aspects of intellectual property law as well as in new technologies law. He founded AKEYA, an IP law firm specialized in the video game industry. They assist their clients in protecting, optimizing and increasing the value of their intellectual property, in France, the European Union and internationally.
Rafael Teixeira
CPO at Mito Games
Rafael Lontra is a seasoned video game developer with over a decade of experience in the industry. He founded Mito Games in Brazil, a studio known for its innovative and engaging games. In 2023, Rafael moved to Belgium to pursue a Master's degree in Game Design, further honing his skills and expanding his horizons. During his time in Belgium, he established Myth Jeux, a new game development company that continues to push the boundaries of creativity and technology. Rafael's work is characterized by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences. His journey from Brazil to Belgium reflects his dedication to the craft and his ambition to make a global impact in the world of video games.
Cliff Laureys
Senior 2D artist at Larian Studios
Cliff Laureys is a senior 2D artist at Larian Studios.Born in Brussels in 1979, he spent most of his youth drawing comic books, watching cartoons and playing video games.He studied animation at the RITSC School of Arts in Brussels and graduated in 2002 with his 2D animated short based on Shel Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree'. In 2014, alongside his studies, he decided to get into video games to promote Africa and created his first game, which was a success in 2018.
Allie Weis
Ethics Coordinator in IGD, Internships Coordinator
Allie Weis is the Ethics Coordinator in International Game Development and Internships Coordinator at Howest Digital Arts and Entertainment (DAE) in Kortrijk, Belgium. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Allie received a Fulbright grant and relocated to Belgium. While working at Howest DAE, she discovered the overlaps between her background in ethics and psychology and digital entertainment.
Masahiko Murakami
CEO of Skeleton Crew studio / Organiser of BitSummit
Masahiko Murakami is the organiser of BitSummit, Japan's most important indie games show. He will present the local indie game market and advise Western studios interested in distributing their games in Japan. After graduating from a Japanese design college in 2002, he moved to the United States, where he graduated from the San Francisco Academy of Art University Illustration Department in 2007.
Tomas Sala
Solo developer of the Falconeer
Tomas Sala is an independent game artist,designer and BAFTA nominated solo dev. Best known to most gamers as creator of The Falconeer, an XboxSeries X/S Launch Title which he developed solo, as well as for his exotic Skyrim Mod series: Moonpath to Elsweyr, Tomas has developed a unique visual style over the years and just released his city building follow up to the Falconeer, Bulwark : Falconeer Chronicles.
Eleonore Dambre
Animator at Larian Studios
Eleonore Dambre is an animator at Larian Studios, where she started her career four years ago. She joined Larian during the production of Baldur's Gate III. She had the opportunity to contribute to a broad range of gameplay and cinematic animations for player characters, combat, spellcasting and creatures.
Juliana Brito
CEO of Indie Heroes
Juliana Brito - CEO and co-founder of Indie Hero and Game Jam Plus, fellow YLAI and with experience in companies such as DLR, PTB and Empodera. Participated in the acceleration programs of Startup Farm, Inovativa Brasil and Shell Iniciativa Jovem. She is also a pitch and business mentor at events such as NASA talks, entrepreneurial DNA, startup weekend, Inovativa Brasil.
Ruslana Kruchek
Co-Founder, Brand Manager, Art Director at VP Production
Ruslana Kruchek is the co-founder, brand manager, and art director of VP Production — a Ukrainian audio agency that crafts impactful sound for games, brands, and apps. She comes from a marketing background and switched to full-time work in the audio agency in 2019. Ruslana is responsible for VP Production’s work pipelines and unique data-driven approach to creating game audio.
Rafael Teixeira
CPO at Mito Games
Rafael Lontra is a seasoned video game developer with over a decade of experience in the industry. He founded Mito Games in Brazil, a studio known for its innovative and engaging games. In 2023, Rafael moved to Belgium to pursue a Master's degree in Game Design, further honing his skills and expanding his horizons. During his time in Belgium, he established Myth Jeux, a new game development company that continues to push the boundaries of creativity and technology. Rafael's work is characterized by a passion for storytelling and a commitment to delivering high-quality gaming experiences. His journey from Brazil to Belgium reflects his dedication to the craft and his ambition to make a global impact in the world of video games.
Cliff Laureys
Senior 2D artist at Larian Studios
Cliff Laureys is a senior 2D artist at Larian Studios.Born in Brussels in 1979, he spent most of his youth drawing comic books, watching cartoons and playing video games.He studied animation at the RITSC School of Arts in Brussels and graduated in 2002 with his 2D animated short based on Shel Silverstein's 'The Giving Tree'. In 2014, alongside his studies, he decided to get into video games to promote Africa and created his first game, which was a success in 2018.
Allie Weis
Ethics Coordinator in IGD, Internships Coordinator
Allie Weis is the Ethics Coordinator in International Game Development and Internships Coordinator at Howest Digital Arts and Entertainment (DAE) in Kortrijk, Belgium. Hailing from Baltimore, Maryland, Allie received a Fulbright grant and relocated to Belgium. While working at Howest DAE, she discovered the overlaps between her background in ethics and psychology and digital entertainment.
Masahiko Murakami
CEO of Skeleton Crew studio / Organiser of BitSummit
Masahiko Murakami is the organiser of BitSummit, Japan's most important indie games show. He will present the local indie game market and advise Western studios interested in distributing their games in Japan. After graduating from a Japanese design college in 2002, he moved to the United States, where he graduated from the San Francisco Academy of Art University Illustration Department in 2007.
Tomas Sala
Solo developer of the Falconeer
Tomas Sala is an independent game artist,designer and BAFTA nominated solo dev. Best known to most gamers as creator of The Falconeer, an XboxSeries X/S Launch Title which he developed solo, as well as for his exotic Skyrim Mod series: Moonpath to Elsweyr, Tomas has developed a unique visual style over the years and just released his city building follow up to the Falconeer, Bulwark : Falconeer Chronicles.
Eleonore Dambre
Animator at Larian Studios
Eleonore Dambre is an animator at Larian Studios, where she started her career four years ago. She joined Larian during the production of Baldur's Gate III. She had the opportunity to contribute to a broad range of gameplay and cinematic animations for player characters, combat, spellcasting and creatures.
Juliana Brito
CEO of Indie Heroes
Juliana Brito - CEO and co-founder of Indie Hero and Game Jam Plus, fellow YLAI and with experience in companies such as DLR, PTB and Empodera. Participated in the acceleration programs of Startup Farm, Inovativa Brasil and Shell Iniciativa Jovem. She is also a pitch and business mentor at events such as NASA talks, entrepreneurial DNA, startup weekend, Inovativa Brasil.