Betty (Founder) and Claudia (Actress & EVA Coach) of the Empowered VoiceOver Academy (EVA), headed to Develop Conference 2026 in Brighton this year with one clear mission: to grow the voice acting network and keep the conversations flowing between everyone who makes voice work in games and animation possible – game developers, casting directors, agents, voice actors, and composers.
And what a few days it was.
Why EVA Went to Develop Conference
Develop Conference is one of the UK’s biggest gatherings for game development talent, and for EVA, it was the perfect place to keep building on our core belief: the voice acting industry thrives when every part of it is connected. Game devs to agents. Agents to talent. Talent to casting directors. Casting directors to composers. And beyond.
We’re not here to compete with anyone in this space – we’re here to add to it. An empowered industry isn’t a competitive one; it’s one where everyone is lifted up together, working at the same frequency. That’s the energy EVA brought to Brighton, and it’s the energy we felt reflected back at us by so many brilliant people we met along the way.
Big News: The Video Game & Animation Summit is Coming
We’re thrilled to share that EVA already has something incredible in the works: the Video Game and Animation Summit, happening online on 29th September. Watch this space – we can’t wait to bring the voice acting community together for this one.
Day One: Coastal Runs, Casting Conversations and Free Ice Cream
Day one kicked off with a long coastal run along Brighton’s seafront before diving straight into back-to-back meetings, all focused on finding incredible people for the upcoming Summit.
We had the pleasure of meeting some incredible names and companies making waves in the space, including Liquid Violet, Passion Pictures, Miami Avalon, Claraty Voices, and the ever-inspiring Emily Dean of Voice Fox – alongside so many more brilliant people we simply can’t list them all.
Other highlights from the day included:
- Meeting EVA members in person – always a delight, and a reminder of why we do what we do.
- Free ice cream courtesy of Develop Conference – small joys, big smiles.
- Watching Voice Fox’s Voice Actors get “papped” during Emily Dean’s Voice Fox Fox Hunt – a brilliant, playful way to put voice talent in the spotlight.
- Vegan delights at Food for Friends – a Brighton institution and a very well-earned lunch.
- Connecting with inspiring voice actors doing genuinely wonderful things across the industry.
Day Two: Championing Indies and Emerging Talent
Day two shifted focus to indie developers – matching emerging talent with emerging voice actors, and supporting veteran voice actors making the pivot into games.
The day included:
- A well-deserved burger at The Salt Shed
- More meetings with game developers, casting directors, and actors
- A surprise cameo on the EVA Coaching lunch call, just to say hello to our incredible members
Feeling the Fear – and Choosing Hope Anyway
We’ll be honest: not everyone we spoke to met us with open arms. There was fear in some of the conversations we had – understandable, in an industry that can sometimes feel like it’s lost a bit of its empowering edge.
But here’s what we know to be true: an empowered space doesn’t breed competition. It breeds connection. It lifts everyone in it, together, at the same frequency. That’s what EVA stands for, and that’s what we’ll keep standing for.
We believe in hope. We believe in humanity. And we believe the voice acting industry is stronger when we build bridges instead of walls.
What’s Next for EVA
Develop Conference 2026 reminded us exactly why this work matters. Every conversation, every introduction, every connection made in Brighton is another thread in the network EVA is building – one that brings game developers, agents, casting directors, composers, and voice actors closer together than ever before.
We’re heading into the next chapter with more energy, more connections, and more hope than ever. The Video Game and Animation Summit on 29th September is just the beginning of what’s to come, and we cannot wait to share it with this incredible community.
Thank you to everyone who took the time to meet with us, share a coffee (or an ice cream), and be part of these conversations. This industry is better when we’re in it together – and EVA is here, adding a little extra sparkle, every step of the way.
Want to be part of what’s next? Keep an eye on EVA for more details on the Video Game and Animation Summit, and join us in growing a voice acting industry built on hope, humanity, and empowerment for all.
Empowered VoiceOver Academy (EVA) is dedicated to connecting and empowering every corner of the voice acting industry — from game developers and casting directors to agents, composers, and voice talent. Follow EVA for updates on the Video Game and Animation Summit, coming online on 29th September 2026.
