[Industry news] London Games Festival 2026 unveils its 2026 Ensemble cohort

This is a press release posted in addition to our usual editorial content.

London Games Festival is proud to announce this year’s Ensemble cohort, celebrating some of the exceptional talent shaping the future of video games. A flagship feature of the London Games Festival, Ensemble puts the spotlight on Black, Asian and underrepresented ethnic creatives making their mark across the industry.

Ensemble champions the full breadth of what it means to work in games, from directors and concept artists to writers, audio designers, producers and beyond. Curated by award-winning, bestselling author, Artistic Director Shara Jackson, this year’s line-up brings together some of the most exciting voices across the creative spectrum.

This year’s eight-strong cohort is brought to life on the streets of the capital on day one of LGF, Monday 13 April, with the exhibition’s signature installation at Trafalgar Square. Later in the festival, cohort members will be featured at New Game Plus on Thursday 16 April. After that the Ensemble exhibition will tour other sites and venues across the country.

Justine Simons OBE, Deputy Mayor for Culture and the Creative Industries, said: “The London Games Festival has played a major role in establishing London as a global games capital. The festival is a wonderful showcase of talent and Ensemble plays a vital role championing creators from underrepresented groups – ensuring the rich diversity of our capital is reflected in the industry. Year on year, these creators inspire and pave the way for future generations, helping us build a better London for everyone.”

Sharna Jackson, Curator of Ensemble, said: “Ensemble is eight! I’m delighted to be once again curating another cohort of extremely bright, bold and brilliant talent across different roles in the UK games industry. Once again, we forefront the importance of a diverse industry, by demonstrating its significance in the creation of rich and intoxicating worlds and experiences for everyone.

“Vibrant and essential work is being created by Black, Asian and minority ethnic talent in the UK’s games industry each and every day. That needs to be celebrated – and it’s imperative that talent is attracted, developed, and crucially retained by the sector. Not as a gesture, but as a fundamental requirement for building a stronger, more imaginative and more globally relevant industry.”

Led by Games London and supported by the Mayor of London, Ensemble exists to tell the stories that shift perceptions, amplify new voices, and inspire the next generation of diverse talent in games.

The eight creatives selected for Ensemble 2026 are:

HaZ Dulull is a game director and founder of Beyond The Pixels, known for his pioneering work in virtual production with Unreal Engine. His credits span film, television, and games, including Dune Awakening (Cinematics Director), The Rap Game UK Fortnite experience, and a Disney series. Featured by Epic Games and the recipient of multiple Epic Mega Grants, he is also an indie developer with his latest title Astro Burn.

Charlie Webb is a writer and narrative designer with 20 years of experience in game development. His credits include Mafia III, Civilization VI, Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice Leage, and Gears of War: Judgment. He is a BAFTA-nominated and New York Game Critics’ Circle award-winning narrative designer, and a longtime advocate for workers’ rights and early-career developers through mentorship and union organising.

Charmie Kim is a game lead currently working on an unannounced project at Supercell. She led the Beatstar team from initial pitch through launch and live operations, achieving both commercial success and critical acclaim. With a background spanning mobile, console, and social games, she is a passionate advocate for collaborative creative leadership and women in the games industry.

Deanne Pierre-Pacquette is a content creator, Twitch Ambassador, YouTube Partner, and founder of Beyond, a global content creator agency that has supported over 280 creators since launching in March 2025. She began her career as a QA tester at SEGA and has since worked with companies including Sony, EA, Bethesda, and Square Enix. She is also the lead events organiser for Link Up London, a community programme powered by Twitch.

Sara Veal is a community and culture producer, Chair of GamesAid, and founder of studio huhbub. Her career spans journalism, publishing, and games, with roles at Failbetter Games and Uplift Games, where she helped lead a successful Kickstarter and contributed to Best Places to Work recognition. She was awarded the Unsung Hero award at Game Dev Heroes 2025 and works with partners including the British Library and Black to the Future.

Harun Ali is a game development tutor, Head of Training at Limit Break Mentorship, and indie developer. His industry credits include Lego Dimensions, Star Citizen, and Human Fall Flat 2, and he is the author of The Pocket Mentor For Video Game Testing (CRC Press). He is committed to supporting aspiring developers through education, mentorship, and his own indie work, including his debut title It’s Grim Up North.

Jennifer Estaris is a Creative Director and founder of Estaris Works, a consultancy and game studio focused on transformative play, sustainability, and civic storytelling. She has held senior creative roles at ustwo and SYBO, directing titles including Monument Valley 3 and Subway Surfers. A creative of Filipino heritage, her work integrates purpose-driven design with commercial reach, exploring themes of climate resilience and collective care.

Christopher White is the Managing Director of Sharks Swim Backwards and a games audio specialist whose career spans outsourcing, VR, and studio leadership. His credits include Jurassic World Aftermath, Funko Fusion, Phogs!, and Kingdom Two Crowns. He previously led audio at 10:10 Games and worked on cutting-edge VR projects at Coatsink, and is known for his commitment to community and mentorship within the industry.