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Kommune and Netflix India have officially launched the third edition of Voices of Tomorrow (VOT), a pivotal initiative under the Voice Equity Project. Aimed at diversifying the dubbing industry, VOT focuses on training and promoting voice talent from two underrepresented groups: individuals over 45 and members of the LGBTQIA+ community. The programme provides a comprehensive platform for aspiring voice artists to explore careers in dubbing and voice acting.
Set to run from September 2024 to January 2025, the five-month programme will collaborate with various queer collectives and NGOs working with senior citizens, as well as Mumbai-based artist organisations and talent agencies. The initiative aims to evaluate approximately 500 candidates, ultimately shortlisting 300 for in-person auditions.
As highlighted in the latest FICCI and EY media and entertainment report, OTT platforms are thriving, with vernacular content projected to comprise 55% of all productions. With the global e-learning market expected to reach USD 325 billion by 2025, new opportunities are emerging for voice-over artists. However, dubbing remains a lesser-known profession with limited pathways for aspiring talents. VOT seeks to change this by increasing representation in the Indian media landscape and fostering a culture of diversity and inclusion.
With ‘Authenticity of Voice’ as its guiding principle, VOT aims to create a safe environment for LGBTQIA+ participants and offer senior adults a second chance to pursue their passions. The initiative seeks to enrich the dubbing talent pool with trained artists from the queer community and those with backgrounds in acting, theatre, and performance arts.
The first edition of VOT successfully included LGBTQIA+ individuals and children from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Building on that success, the second edition focused on senior adults and LGBTQIA+ talents, selecting 25 participants for professional training. Many from these cohorts have since launched careers in dubbing, working on various projects across movies, series, audiobooks, and advertisements in Hindi and regional languages. Additionally, training has empowered participants to explore other fields such as podcasting and theatre.
Roshan Abbas, Founder of Kommune India, remarked, “We're thrilled to have Netflix's support for the third edition of ‘Voices of Tomorrow.’ Their backing is crucial in nurturing diverse voices and experiences, providing a platform for stories that resonate with everyone.”
Ashwini Kulkarni, Country Manager of International Dubbing at Netflix, added, “Voices of Tomorrow is a step towards fostering diversity in the talent pipeline. We are proud to support Kommune in creating and holding space for the dubbing community to ensure that our voices truly reflect our people.”
