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About Roots & Pixels

Roots & Pixels is an initiative designed to bring together female game developers from Belgium and Africa; specifically within Africa, devs from the countries of South Africa, Uganda and Kenya.  Though there are several initiatives in these countries to reinforce women in games and tech/digital entertainment, a gender gap remains -- and we've noticed a lack of collaboration between these initiatives across Belgium/Europe and Africa.

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In 2022, the project was first submitted for funding (VLIR-UOS) by Allie Weis (Ethics Coordinator, Howest DAE), with the greater mission in mind to:

  • Empower awesome female game devs (and awesome human beings)

  • Increase collaboration between European and African game developers

  • Shrink the digital divide

  • Encourage participants to reflect on how they can use elements from their own identities/stories to tell meaningful & unique stories through games made during
    a game jam

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In 2024, the project funding was APPROVED. And, here we are, preparing for our FIRST edition in March 2026. 

 

​This is the space where we'll be sharing our journey, the challenges we aim to address, and our commitment to inclusivity and diversity in games & storytelling.

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Join us and let's see what we can make together!

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You have questions.

We have answers!

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WHAT is the project? 
Roots & Pixels is a 2-week training for female game developers (juniors and above), focusing on storytelling, narrative design, worldbuilding, game design (focusing primarily on designing games for impact), business development/marketing. The training will also offer a visit to a local games studio in Flanders (Dutch-speaking region of Belgium), and will end with a game jam -- in which participants will work together in internationally-comprised teams to create a fully-functioning game based on a societally-relevant topic chosen by our friends at Games for Change. 

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WHEN is the training? 

The training will take place in both 2026 and 2027.
The dates for 2026 have already been determined: 23 March-3 April 2026.

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FOR WHOM is the training? Should I apply?

(2026 TRAINING APPLICATIONS CLOSED FOR SOUTH AFRICAN, KENYAN, & UGANDAN APPLICANTS)

The training is for female game developers (junior level and up) from Belgium, South Africa, Kenya, and/or Uganda. (**Key note: If you do not have extensive experience in game development, don't let this keep you from applying! Experience from game jams joined in the past, or experience from self-teaching or engaging in game development as a hobby, is also very valid. Remember that creativity comes in many different shapes and sizes, and games need multiple different profiles to succeed). 

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We have 17 maximum spots per project cycle: 9 spots for intercontinental participants* (from South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda) and 8 spots for Belgian participants**.

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*Funding covers travel (flight ticket), accomodation (hotel), daily food costs, and hardware/software for intercontinental participants. 

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**For Belgian participants, travel, accomodation, and hardware are not provided.
   Costs for the training and for catering (200 euro) have been generously covered by the

   Flemish Audiovisual Fund (VAF).

 

WHAT DOES THE APPLICATION PROCESS LOOK LIKE? 

Candidate participants should hold a recognized degree and/or certficiate in an adjacent/related field of study, including but not limited to: Computer Science, Game Development, Interactive Media, Digital Arts, Animation, Visual Effects, Sound Design, Game Design. Candidates chosen will be female-identifying, given the mission of the project.

 

Candidate-participants should hold the following skills:

  • Proficiency in the English language, minimum B2 level

  • Previous experience with developing a game and/or assets of a game is highly recommended

  • 1+ year in the industry (supporting junior developers, though senior developers are welcome to apply!)

  • Previous knowledge (not necessary, but helpful):

    • For technical artists: Previous knowledge of/ experience with the following engines, tools and software: Autodesk Maya, Blender, 3DS Max, Z-Brush, Adobe Photoshop CC, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe After Effects, Unity, Unreal Engine, etc.

    • For programmers: Previous knowledge of the following languages (not all necessary but helpful): Java, Python, C++, C#

  • Cooperative attitude and eager to work with others from other personal and professional backgrounds

 

The selection commission will consist of six members: the Project Lead of Roots & Pixels, one Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE) academic colleague, one game development professional in the Flemish ecosystem, and one representative from the games industry of each of the following countries: South Africa, Uganda and Kenya.

 

The selection criteria will be based on the following: Validity of provided documents, CV, portfolio submission, a motivational statement, and an online interview. The interview will be scored on the following: a) Motivation, b) Professional Excellence, c) Opportunity, d) Social Engagement, and e) Multiplier factor (capacity of the scholar to ‘multiply’ forth the message of the training within her local ecosystem).

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A pre-selection of candidates will occur (on the basis of validity of submitted materials) before final-round candidates are invited for a virtual interview. Decisions will be made on the basis of submitted documents and the interview process. 

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WHEN CAN I APPLY?

For South Africa, Kenyan, and Ugandan participants: The call for applications opened on Monday, 14 April 2025. 

For Belgian participants: The call for applications opened on Friday, 24 October 2025.

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WHEN DO APPLICATIONS CLOSE?
The call for applications for South African, Kenyan, and Ugandan participants closed on Friday, 15 August 2025. 

The call for Belgian participants will close on Friday, 28 November 2025.

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WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
For South Africa, Kenyan, and Ugandan applicants: First selections were made by early September. Finalists were chosen in mid-October.

For Belgian applicants: Finalists will be chosen by early-December.

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WHERE is the training?

The training will take place in Kortrijk, Belgium at the campuses of Howest University of Applied Sciences: Digital Arts & Entertainment. There are three campuses of Howest Digital Arts & Entertainment (DAE) that can be used for the training sessions: The Level, The Penta, and The Square. Further location details to follow.

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DO I HAVE TO PAY for the training?

  • For intercontinental participants: No! Many thanks to VLIRUOS. 

  • For Belgian participants: No! Many thanks to the VAF. (The 200 euro training fee has been sponsored!)

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DO I NEED A VISA if I am an intercontinental participant? 

Yes, you will need a visa. Once you have been selected as a participant, we will inform you further about the visa process. We will help you with this process, no worries!

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WHAT SHOULD I BRING for the training?

  • Comfortable clothes for 2 weeks (if arriving the weekend before the training, 15-16 days worth of clothing)​

    • Belgian participants will commute to the training, so no need to pack clothes if commuting :-)​

  • Rain jacket/umbrella (you never know when the sky will open here in Belgium)

  • For Week 1 (Masterclasses week):
    A notebook & pen or other tools to take notes. You are more than welcome to take notes using a laptop as well. During some workshops, it might be extra interesting to bring your laptop (more masterclass/workshop-specific information will be provided closer to the training).

  • For Week 2 (Game Jam week): 
    Notebook & pen (optional), laptop and laptop charger & other accessories (i.e. mouse, keyboard, drawing tablet).

  • IMPORTANT: Hardware (laptops) will be provided for intercontinental participants (Belgian participants are asked to bring their laptop for the training. We can safely store your laptop at our campus over the days if desired.)

  • A screen/monitor will be provided for each participant.

  • Any additional accessories (keyboard, mouse, drawing tablet) will not be provided and should be brought with you.

  • Note: Please do not use any software provided by your employer/workplace during the jam.​

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     ANY OTHER QUESTIONS? â€‹

Email Allie Weis (allie.weis@howest.be) for further information!

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We believe in diverse storytelling.
Diversity is what breathes life into the games industry. It's what is authentic, what is true to life, what creates unique content and content that evokes the kind of emotion and empathy that shows how powerful
games as a storytelling medium can be.

Our Mission

Joanna Oluoch

Kenya

Joanna Oluoch is a game designer, digital artist, and software developer from Kenya, with a background in Mechatronics Engineering, who leverages her diverse experience to merge technology, art, and storytelling. Inspired by a childhood spent in Oloolua Forest, Joanna created ARGO (Augmented Reality Guide: Oloolua), her first original game, that aims to foster a symbiotic relationship between visitors and nature.
Each game she creates is a love letter to the experiences, places, and people that have shaped her life. Ultimately, her goal is to create games that spark a sense of “sonder”; the realisation that every character, like every person, has a story as intricate as our own.

joanna photo.jpeg

Mergery Wanjiru

Kenya

Mergery is a game designer based in Kenya. She works as a junior Game Designer at Astrapuff and supports emerging African creatives through mentorship and community workshops.

Mijide Keeke

Kenya

Mijide Kemoli is a multidisciplinary designer and the founder of Keeke Art, a creative consultancy based in Nairobi, Kenya that aids non-profit organizations and socially-conscious companies in educating their audiences on a myriad of social issues in a fun and engaging way through art, design and gaming.

With a professional background in art education and community work, Mijide has had the opportunity to speak about the impact of artistic expression in marginalized Kenyan communities in international forums including the 2019 Annual Comparative and International Education Summit held in San Francisco, Humanity Rising 2020: Personal Empowerment and Leadership in Times of Crisis hosted by Ubiquity, and MCW Global’s 2021 Annual Fundraising Gala held in New York. She has also had her journey and work featured on various platforms including For Creative Girls, Youth Time magazine, People Daily, KTN News and Nation. 

Moreover, Mijide’s creative practice has enabled her to attend workshops, conferences and training programmes in Kenya, the USA and Europe, providing her with the skills that allowed her to found and successfully run her multidisciplinary creative consultancy practice. Her clients to date include Amnesty International, APHRC, UN Women, CARE International, Teach for All and The Freedom Fund, just to name a few. Her most notable game design and development projects to date include What Will You Do?, Mbeteza, Gutuka and Tamaduni.

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Princess Kabeya

South Africa

Princess Kabeya is a multimedia creative passionate about turning real stories and ideas into beautiful, purposeful visuals. With nine years of experience in the industry, she has discovered that good design is not only about looks but also about how it makes people feel.

princess photo.jpg

Ruby Walne

South Africa

Ruby Walne is a game developer and programmer based in Cape Town, South Africa.
Growing up she had a keen interest in problem solving and technology (all while desperately trying to get her favourite games to work on ancient hardware). Now, after a short stint in the tech industry, she's creating her own games as a programmer, both independently and in a team.
She is heavily invested in her local game dev community, attending events and game jams, even winning a few. Ruby strives to create a supportive space that encourages people to get involved in their local game dev communities.

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Sithe Ncube

South Africa

Sithe has been an active member of the African game development community since 2013, beginning with organizing community events in Lusaka, Zambia. She is passionate about advancing opportunities for games to be used as a medium of cultural expression and preservation for underrepresented voices. Her background in Computer Science informs her interest in the technical side of game development but she’s also taken a great interest in how people power our world of play. She is currently a producer at Nyamakop in South Africa working on the heist game Relooted."

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Kaatje Geerits

Belgium

Kaatje is a technical sound designer who recently graduated from Digital Arts and Entertainment. After completing a bachelor’s degree in Television and Film, she developed a strong interest in sound creation and implementation, alongside a growing curiosity for game development. This led her to pursue a second degree focused on game sound integration, allowing her to combine both fields.

Hannah Peeters

Belgium

Hannah Peeters is a freelance concept artist working in the indie game scene, as well as a teacher/content creator at Artwod and Syntra. As a kid she deeply loved stories and spent all her days drawing characters and places from imagination. Now that this is what she does for work and something she teaches others how to do, it is needless to say that it often doesn’t feel like “work” to her at all.

One of her favourite parts of her job has been meeting the creative community that comes with it. To be passionate about creating meaningful stories, characters and worlds, and finding that same passion in others has been the driving force behind everything she does. This is why she loves teaching too, because there is nothing else she would rather talk for hours about. If anything, she hopes enough of that passion rubs off on her students so they will tell their own stories one day.

hannah photo.jpg

Catharina Broes

Belgium

Catharina is a Game Artist, DAE graduate from Belgium with a special interest in environments and props. She got to that role due to a childhood filled with all kinds of art, playing video games and having many international travels that inspired her to create her own stories, experiences and environments. With a groundwork set in traditional art, architecture, art history, theatre and music, there isn't a form of expression she is unfamiliar with. Her goal is to create impactful, insightful experiences that inspire both the consumer and the creator to escape and appreciate life, whether that is through beauty, melancholy or something else entirely. During her studies, Catharina discovered a passion for community and has carried that over to later endeavours of her life, working on projects such as "Lesbian Simulator", a VR narrative experience detailing what it's like to be a queer woman in Northern Europe. Other projects involve "Station to Station", "Town To City" and "Drone Tanks", the debut title for the Belgian start-up Ludum Elite, where she currently volunteers as main 3D artist.

Ioanna Efthymiadou

Belgium / Greece

Ioanna Efthymiadou is an artist and game designer from Greece, currently residing in Belgium. She has a background in Philosophy and Education, and after completing her Master’s degree, she decided to become involved in game development as a way to share stories and ideas that resonate with her. Her academic background always informs her creative practices, and she enjoys challenging prevailing concepts and ideas we have of games as playful, yet culturally significant form of expression. As game development becomes more and more accessible, she believes this is an important moment for queer and female developers to contribute their own perspectives and narratives, while exploring alternative approaches to storytelling, worldbuilding, and immersion. From a young age, she has been inspired by any form of storytelling such as games, film, and literature and has experimented with various media. Currently, her primary interest lies in 3D graphics, specifically environment creation and prop design. She is working as a freelance 3D artist and designer in Brussels and is actively involved in the local indie game community.

ioanna photo.jpeg
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