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What is it about?

Roots & Pixels is a unique two-week training program designed for female-identifying game developers, from juniors to experienced professionals, who want to level up their skills, creativity, and impact.

Bringing together 16 talented women from Belgium, South Africa, Kenya, and Uganda, this program offers an exclusive opportunity to collaborate, learn, and create across cultures. The focus? Designing games for social impact — games that tell meaningful stories, address real-world issues, and draw inspiration from your own roots and experiences.

Throughout the training, participants will receive guidance from top industry professionals and from Games for Change, a global organization specialized in impact-driven game design. There will be several masterclasses and workshops as well as an intensive game jam, where participants collaborate in international teams to create socially relevant games.

By the end of the program, you’ll have developed both technical and creative expertise — from ethical game design and programming to storytelling and entrepreneurship — and gained the soft skills that make great developers even greater: cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and confidence.

All further information can be found on the official website: rootspixels.be

For whom?

  • Are you a female-identifying game developer from Belgium (Flanders, Brussels, and/or Wallonia)?

  • Do you want to enhance your skills in digital storytelling, game design & development?

  • Do you want to collaborate with international peers, and participate in a game jam with inspiring devs from across the globe?

This is your chance!

Our African participants are already confirmed, and we’re now inviting 8 Belgian game developers to join the Roots & Pixels programme. With only 8 spots available, this is a rare opportunity to be part of a groundbreaking international collaboration between Belgium and Africa.

The deadline for applications is 28 November 2025. After applying, the participants will be selected by the training organizers in early December 2025.

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Who can apply?

Candidate participants should meet the following criteria:

  • Hold a recognized degree and/or certificate in a related field, such as Computer Science, Game Development, Interactive Media, Digital Arts, Animation, Visual Effects, Sound Design, or Game Design.
  • Have proficiency in English (minimum B2 level).
  • Possess previous experience in developing a game or game assets (recommended).
  • Have at least 1 year of experience in the game industry (junior developers are strongly encouraged to apply, though senior profiles are also welcome!).
  • Show a collaborative mindset and genuine enthusiasm for working with peers from different backgrounds and cultures.

Additional helpful experience (not mandatory):

For technical artists:

  • Familiarity with the following engines, tools and software: Autodesk Maya, Blender, 3DS Max, Z-Brush, Adobe Photoshop CC, Illustrator, After Effects, Unity, and Unreal Engine

For programmers:

  • Working knowledge of languages such as Java, Python, C++, or C#

Why?

While countries like South Africa, Uganda, and Kenya are seeing inspiring initiatives to empower women in games and digital entertainment, a significant gender gap remains — and true collaboration between these initiatives and those in Belgium and Europe is still rare. Roots & Pixels was created to bridge that gap and to spark long-term, meaningful connections between female game developers across continents.

The project’s mission is clear:

  • Empower talented female-identifying game developers.
  • Foster collaboration between European and African creators.
  • Shrink the digital divide through shared knowledge and experience.
  • Encourage authentic storytelling, rooted in each participant’s identity, background, and lived experiences.

Through this program, you’ll not only grow your technical and creative expertise, but also build a reinforced international network of peers who share your passion for impact and innovation.

Roots & Pixels isn’t just a training — it’s a movement toward a more equitable and inclusive game industry, where new voices and diverse perspectives shape the future of play. As the first-ever program bringing together female-identifying game developers from Belgium and Africa, it marks a groundbreaking step toward global collaboration — the first of its kind.

Programme

Week 1 (23-27 March 2026): Masterclasses week

The first week is all about learning, sharing, and exploring. Participants will take part in masterclasses and workshops led by industry professionals and Games for Change, a global organization specialized in designing games for social impact.

Expect an immersive week full of insights, creativity, and skill-building. The programme also includes a visit to a local game studio in Flanders, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how professionals bring ideas to life.

Week 2 (30 March-3 April): Game Jam

In week two, it’s time to put everything into practice. During an intensive international game jam, participants will team up across continents to create impact-driven games that address meaningful global themes — such as sustainability, inclusion, recycling, or accessible public transportation.

Topics during the program include:

  • Worldbuilding
  • Game design
  • Technical art & 3D modeling
  • Programming
  • Business development & marketing for independent game developers
  • Making games for impact (Games for Change)
  • User experience (UX)/ User interface (UI)
  • Narrative design

You’ll be learning from an inspiring lineup of professionals, including:

  • Jill Vanparys – CEO at LocaNest & UX Designer/Storyteller
  • Kasper Geeroms – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Robin Van Dijk – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Amber Fonteyne – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Luna Fierens – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Andy Hayes – Lecturer at WITS University (South Africa)
  • Dries Deryckere – Game Graphics Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Dave Van Verdegem – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Cedric Van der Kelen – Independent Game Production Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Fries Boury – Game Development Lecturer, Howest DAE
  • Tatiana Skliarenko – Games for Change (South Africa)
  • Brendon Trombley – Games for Change (South Africa)

Practical Information

Dates & Location

Duration

  • 2 weeks (5 days per week, 8 hours per day)
  • Total: 80 hours of training

Cost

Thanks to the support of the Flanders Audiovisual Fund (VAF), participants can take part in this €200 programme at no personal cost.

Learn more about the VAF

  • Personal data
  • Motivation
  • Stay informed
  • Completed
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Programme in pictures

A day in the life: DAE
Postzegels DAE
Digital Arts and Entertainment: Game Graphics Production
DAE Community
Camera
Slaapkamer game
Game landschap
Digital Arts and Entertainment: 3D Animation

Contact

If you would like more information or have any questions, reach out to our Programme Coordinator, we’re happy to help!

Allie Weis

Allie Weis

Programme Coordinator

Contact

Strengths of the programme

Links with the professional field

Throughout your course of study at Howest Academy, you will work on cases and challenges from the professional field. Howest's teaching team is further complemented by leading guest speakers and experts in the field, guaranteeing practical, real-life demonstration of the content being taught.

Strong teachers

Choosing Howest Academy, is choosing quality. Our teachers are not only experts in their field, they are also solid in their teaching, translating lesson content into practical learning experiences.

Beyond up-to-date

Not only does this programme respond to the changes and challenges of today, it remains one step ahead through its links to the practice-based research conducted at Howest.

Nieuws

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