Speakers
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.