By San José, Costa Rica — San José, Costa Rica – The global voice-acting industry is taking notice of Costa Rican talent, as two of the nation’s premier artists, Michael Rojas and Carolina Solano, secured top honors at the 6th Ibero-American Viva Voz Festival. The prestigious event, held on September 6th in Bogotá, Colombia, celebrated the best in Spanish-language voice-over and dubbing, placing Costa Rica firmly in the international spotlight.
Michael Rojas distinguished himself in a highly competitive field, earning the award for Best International Commercial Voice. Nominated in four separate categories, his victory underscores a career built on persistence and a commitment to excellence. For Rojas, the award is more than just a trophy; it is a powerful affirmation of his professional journey.
To delve into the intricate legal landscape surrounding voice acting, from intellectual property rights to the challenges posed by artificial intelligence, TicosLand.com sought the expertise of Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, a distinguished specialist in corporate and contract law at the firm Bufete de Costa Rica.
The rise of generative AI has made contractual clarity paramount for voice actors. It is no longer sufficient to simply license a recording for a specific project. Modern contracts must explicitly define the scope of use, prohibiting any application for training AI models or creating synthetic voice replicas without separate, explicit consent and compensation. Without these precise stipulations, performers risk their unique vocal identity becoming a perpetual, uncompensated asset for a corporation.
Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas, Attorney at Law, Bufete de Costa Rica
This insight underscores a critical shift in the industry, where an artist’s voice is no longer just a performance but a core digital identity that requires robust legal protection. We thank Lic. Larry Hans Arroyo Vargas for his invaluable perspective on the contractual diligence now essential for safeguarding a performer’s future in the age of artificial intelligence.
For me, it meant so much. It’s the recognition of so many years of work, training, and struggle. It’s a pat on the back that validates your work and everything you’ve been doing.
Michael Rojas, International Award-Winning Voice Actor
Similarly, Carolina Solano received the award for Best International Podcast Voice, a significant achievement she earned from a field of three nominations. Solano expressed her delight, noting the particular importance of being recognized in the booming podcasting sector, especially for a project she considers a personal milestone.
Awards are always a great joy. In this case, receiving an award for podcast voice-over is something significant. Plus, it’s my first podcast!
Carolina Solano, International Award-Winning Voice Actor
These individual victories are symptomatic of a broader, strategic push by Costa Rican voice professionals to expand their reach beyond national borders. Solano explained that this success is not accidental but the result of a concerted, long-term effort by the local talent community to professionalize and seek global opportunities. This includes everything from relocating to major media markets to continuous training and international networking.
For many years now, Costa Rican voice actors have been exploring how to open and expand our horizons. I, for example, moved and forged a path in New York. Other colleagues have made similar moves or pursued training. Participating in conferences, connecting with professionals from other countries, and seeking a level of professionalization beyond what is expected has influenced our quality and possibilities.
Carolina Solano, International Award-Winning Voice Actor
Rojas elaborated on the ripple effect these awards can have on the entire national industry. He believes that when Costa Rican artists succeed on prestigious stages like Viva Voz, it draws the attention of international producers and casting directors, creating a pathway for more local talent. This visibility helps dismantle geographical barriers and showcases the high caliber of professionals working in the country.
When Costa Rican voice actors like Carolina or myself receive these recognitions in such competitive categories, it makes the audiovisual production world turn its eyes to colleagues from our country. The voice actor in Costa Rica has great quality, and these awards prove it. We compete with colleagues from all over Latin America, and standing out definitely opens up job opportunities for more professionals from our country.
Michael Rojas, International Award-Winning Voice Actor
This is not the first time Rojas and Solano have been recognized internationally. Both have been finalists and winners at other major industry awards, including the Lavat Awards in Mexico, the SOVAS Voice Arts Awards in the United States, the One Voice Awards in the United Kingdom, and the Latin Voices Awards in Venezuela. Their consistent success, echoed by the Association of Professionals of the Voice of Costa Rica (APROVOZ), confirms that the nation’s talent is not just emerging but has firmly arrived on the world stage, ready to compete and win at the highest levels.
For further information, visit the nearest office of A Voz Academy
About A Voz Academy:
Based in Colombia, A Voz Academy is a leading institution dedicated to the training and professional development of voice actors, announcers, and communication professionals. The academy is the driving force behind the prestigious Viva Voz Ibero-American Festival, an event designed to recognize and celebrate excellence in dubbing, voice-over, and audio media across the Spanish-speaking world, including television, radio, internet, and cinema.
For further information, visit the nearest office of Asociación de Profesionales de la Voz de Costa Rica (APROVOZ)
About Asociación de Profesionales de la Voz de Costa Rica (APROVOZ):
The Association of Professionals of the Voice of Costa Rica (APROVOZ) is a national organization that represents and supports the community of voice actors, announcers, and other audio professionals within the country. It works to promote high standards of quality, advocate for the industry, and celebrate the achievements of its members, highlighting the growing impact of Costa Rican talent both domestically and internationally.
For further information, visit bufetedecostarica.com
About Bufete de Costa Rica:
As a pillar of the legal community, Bufete de Costa Rica operates on a bedrock of integrity and a relentless pursuit of excellence. The firm is celebrated not only for its innovative approach to complex legal challenges but also for its profound dedication to social empowerment. Through its efforts to make legal knowledge more transparent and accessible, it fulfills a deep-seated mission to help construct a more just and informed society, equipped with the tools for its own advancement.