Room 8 Voices: Meet Yana (Yanina) Kartun 

Welcome to Room 8 Voices, a series about the people behind the projects. With Voices, we’ll strive to highlight the unique journeys and experiences of our specialists—those whose creativity and dedication powers everything we do.   

All month long, we’re celebrating International Women’s Day—a day dedicated to equality, empowerment, and opportunity. At Room 8 Group, we believe in empowering women and fostering an inclusive environment where everyone can thrive. Throughout March, we’ll be publishing special editions of Voices, each spotlighting one of our female experts. We’ll ask them a series of questions about their dreams, achievements, biggest inspirations and more to celebrate the considerable female talent in our company—and in the industry as a whole. Today’s voice is Yana Kartun, Senior Trailers & Cinematics Manager at Heroic by Room 8 Group! 

With two decades of experience in visual storytelling, Yana manages the creative team at Heroic, our Trailers & Cinematics studio. After establishing herself as a powerhouse in Kyiv’s film industry, where her production company made award-winning content for global brands, she transitioned to the games industry, where she now applies the same creative vision and producer’s precision.  

She has helped produce gorgeous cinematics for many games, including RoboCop: Rogue City (Nacon), Superior (Gala Games), Project Drone Galaxy (Playground Labs), and Hotel Galactic (Antient Forge), blending cinematic storytelling with gameplay in fresh, engaging ways. 

Her academic foundation in sound direction adds another dimension to her multidisciplinary approach. Yana’s journey from film to games represents her core philosophy: that great storytelling transcends medium, and that adaptation is the ultimate creative strength. 

When you were a child, what did you imagine you’d be doing as an adult? 

I had so many different dreams about the future, but when I saw the Cartoon Network TV channel and realized I had misspelled my own surname (epic fail!), I knew for sure my future belonged in the creative industry. I wavered between sound design and filmmaking and then destiny brought me into game development. 

What first sparked your interest in the gaming industry, and how did you break in? 

My father was an engineer, and he built our first computer with his own hands. My brother and I would play games that magically appeared on a black-and-white TV screen, right after the strange sounds of a cassette recorder, which was how games were loaded back then. It felt like magic. Later, my brother and I spent hours playing Mortal Kombat, studying secret codes and combos from various sources. That curiosity stuck with me. 

What is the biggest challenge you’ve overcome in your career so far?

 Switching from a real-life film set to a virtual space was the hardest part. Storytelling, composition, camera work, lighting—they follow the same principles, but in a completely different dimension. 

Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your professional journey? 

The evolution of software, tools and AI, all of which have challenged traditional approaches to content creation. It has been both scary and incredibly inspiring. And it still is. 

Is there a personal story you’ve encountered in a game that truly inspired or moved you? 

Not long ago, I watched The Remarkable Life of Ibelin—a documentary about a disabled boy who lived most of his life in the virtual world of World of Warcraft. That’s where he found happiness and fulfillment. It gave me a completely new perspective on the role games play in people’s lives. 

How do you stay creative and motivated, especially when facing tight deadlines? 

People! The people I work with are incredibly talented and inspiring. I know that with this team, we can overcome any challenge. They support one another and always go the extra mile to deliver on time without compromising quality. The people in this industry are exceptional. 

What’s your proudest achievement or ‘wow’ moment in your current role? 

Every time a partner gives positive feedback, compliments the team, or brings us a new project—I feel proud to be part of that success. And when I read feedback like “She is great!” from my artists after a performance review, it confirms I’m in the right place, doing the right thing. 

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be? 

Change your surname spelling from Kartun to Cartoon 😁 

Do you believe games can influence people on a deeper level? If so, how? 

In a digital space people are not afraid to be themselves, or the opposite, to be someone they are not in a real life. Games give the opportunity to try both. They give us insights that help us to connect with and understand ourselves better, and also to connect with and understand others, without being afraid of judgement or failure. 

What’s one crucial skill in game development that is often underrated?

Communication. We often focus too much on hard skills, but the ability to express ideas clearly, explain your vision, and collaborate effectively is far more important in the long run. 

Is there a skill or passion outside of work that you’ve found unexpectedly useful in your role? 

Definitely my film industry background. Knowing how things work on a real film set gives me valuable insights, especially in relation to our Trailers & Cinematics solution, where that experience is directly relevant. 

What advice would you give to women aspiring to join the gaming industry? 

Women have a superpower: multitasking. While there are many amazing men in the industry, when it comes to juggling multiple things at once, women truly shine. I love working with women—their attention to detail, empathy, sense of control, lightness, and warmth are inspiring.