As the voiceover industry continues to thrive in Africa, it’s becoming increasingly important for talents to stay informed and connected with the latest developments and opportunities. The industry is not just limited to voiceovers, it’s a booming industry that covers a wide range of fields like business, branding, technology and so much more.
With that in mind, we’ve rounded up some of the top voiceover events Africa talents should be on the lookout for in 2023 to help you stay ahead of the curve.
- APVA Awards
- The voiceover conference
- VO Africa Conference
- The Nigerian Voice Acting Contest
- The Voice Act Awards
- VO Atlanta
- That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo
1. APVA Awards:
The APVA Awards is an annual event organized by the Association of African Podcasters and Voice Actors (APVA) with the aim to give recognition to excellent and underserved podcasters, spoken-word, and voice artists for their work. The APVA awards, which is the African Podcast and Voice Awards, is the first of its kind in Africa.
The awards aim to acknowledge, highlight and celebrate the achievements of African voice talents, educate the globe with industry insights in africa, motivate audio-creatives at all levels, develop a sense of pride in being an AVPA Nominee or Awardee, build self-confidence through rewards for excellence, provide role models and mentors for budding creatives to follow their achievements and the pursuit of excellence and encourage leadership on the continent.
The premiere virtual award ceremony, which received over 2000 nominations and 70,000 votes from over 20 countries in its first edition, became one of the most anticipated events in the audio industry, highlighting Africa’s voices and reimagining the African experience for the world to see.
The final winners were announced on September 25th, 2022 via the APVA Awards Show on their youtube channel.
This year’s edition is definitely one of the most anticipated events in the African voiceover industry and we can’t wait to share with you what we have in preparation.
2. The Voice Over Conference:
The Voiceover conference is Africa’s pioneer voice-over conference, established in 2020. It is an event that exposes youths in Africa to the possibilities in the voice-over acting and expression industry. The conference is a platform that connects like minds in voice-over, media entrepreneurs to help grow business, technical and artistic VO skills of Africans living in Africa and the diaspora for self-re-discovery for the global market.
The goal is to bring together bright minds to give talks that are idea-focused, and on a wide range of topics related to communication and voiceover, to foster learning, inspiration, and wonder, and to provoke conversations that matter to the global voiceover industry. The conference is organized by the Voiceover workshop and media, one of Nigeria’s foremost Voiceover institutions of learning based in Lagos.
The 2022 edition of the conference which was held on the 25th and 26th of May was a 2 day hybrid conference referred to by the organizers as the largest gathering of future thinking voiceover actors & creative entrepreneurs. It was themed: The future: Survive or Die. and it was the 3rd edition of the conference. With such impact and positive shift the conference had in Nigeria last year, we can only expect more in 2023.
3. VO Africa Conference:
This annual event brings together some of the most prominent and influential voiceover professionals from across the continent and beyond, providing a platform for networking, learning, and inspiration.
The conference features keynote speakers, panel discussions, and workshops on a wide range of topics related to the voiceover industry, including voice acting, podcasting, audio production, and more. It’s a great opportunity to connect with voiceover professionals and industry experts, learn new techniques, and expand your understanding of the voiceover industry.
The conference is also a great opportunity to network with other voiceover talents and professionals, as well as to discover new opportunities for growth and advancement in the field.
The theme of last year’s conference was ” Going Global” and was held as a 3 day virtual event from the 9th to 11th of September 2022.
4. The Nigerian Voice Acting Contest:
This annual competition, organized by the Voiceover workshop and media, is one of the most prestigious events in the Nigerian voiceover scene. It aims to discover and promote new talent in the industry, providing a platform for emerging voices to showcase their skills, gain recognition, and exposure.
The contest features a wide range of categories, including commercials, narration, animation, and more, providing a diverse range of opportunities for participants to showcase their talents. The contest is judged by a panel of industry experts, and the winners are awarded with prizes and recognition that can help launch their career in the voiceover industry.
It’s a great opportunity for new talents to gain recognition and exposure in the Nigerian voiceover industry, but also to learn from industry experts, network with other talents and professionals.
The event which started in 2021 did not run last year but we believe the organizers are planning bigger for it this year as it has been billed as an annual event from the debut edition.
5. The Voice Act Awards:
This annual awards ceremony is one of the most prestigious events in the voiceover industry globally, honoring the best in the field for their outstanding performances and contributions. The awards recognize achievements in a variety of categories, including animation, commercial, and narration, and are judged by a panel of industry experts.
The Voice Act Awards is not only an opportunity for voiceover talents and professionals to gain recognition for their hard work and dedication to the industry, but also a chance to network with other industry experts, learn from the best, and gain insights into new trends and technologies in the field.
The 2022 edition of the event which was held in California, USA, on the 18th of December featured for the first time categories for African talents. 11 African voiceover artists were nominated under 4 categories and a special recognition award was given to Seun Shobo of Nigeria, founder of Voiceover Academy.
This is definitely an event to watch out for for african talents who stand a chance to be honored with an award recognition on the global stage. You just have to submit their works for consideration around the middle of this year when we expect that entries will be opened and announced by the organizers.
6. VO Atlanta:
This annual voiceover conference and expo is a must-attend event for voiceover talents and professionals, providing a platform for networking, learning, and growth. The conference features keynote speakers, workshops, and networking events, as well as a voiceover expo where attendees can learn about the latest products and services in the industry. With a diverse range of speakers and workshops that cover a wide range of topics, VO Atlanta is the perfect event to learn new techniques, expand your understanding of the voiceover industry, and discover new opportunities for growth and advancement.
The 2022 edition was held as an in-person and virtual event between the 31st of march to the 3rd of April. This year’s event will be held from March 23 – 26, 2023. The event costs between $350 to $550 to attend but the best part is that international voice actors can also Apply TO WIN ONE OF THREE SCHOLARSHIPS TO VO ATLANTA 2023.
Applications open on Monday, January 9th, 2023 and closes on Monday, January 30th, 2023. The Scholarship will be Awarded on Monday, February 13th, 2023 and only ONLY THE FIRST 50 SUBMISSIONS FOR EACH SCHOLARSHIP WILL BE ACCEPTED.
For more information on how to apply, visit www.vopeeps.com/post/apply-now-3-scholarships-to-vo-atlanta-2023.
7. That’s Voiceover!™ Career Expo:
This annual event is designed to help voiceover professionals and aspiring talents to connect with industry professionals, learn about the latest trends and technologies in the field, and discover new opportunities for growth and advancement.
The expo features a wide range of exhibitors and sponsors, showcasing the latest products and services in the voiceover industry, as well as providing attendees with the opportunity to learn from industry experts and network with other professionals. The event also offers a variety of workshops and seminars, covering a wide range of topics, from voice acting techniques to audio production and more.
The expo is not only a great opportunity to learn about the latest advancements in the field, but also a chance to network with other professionals, discover new opportunities for growth, and establish valuable connections in the industry.
The event is part of the week long voiceover event by SOVAS that celebrates the voiceover industry ending the week with the Voice arts awards.
More about this event can be found on the SOVAS website.
In conclusion, the voiceover industry in Africa is growing rapidly, and these events are a great opportunity for voiceover talents and professionals to connect, learn, and grow. Whether you’re just starting out or you’re a seasoned professional, these events provide valuable opportunities to connect, learn, and grow. So, be sure to mark your calendars and join us as we celebrate the power of the human voice and the role it plays in shaping our world.
Written by Toluope Kolade.
