THERE is no doubt the Palms Convention Centre at La Palm Royal Beach, Accra, will shine brightly as it hosts a gathering of stars at the inaugural Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) tonight.
The award ceremony, which marks the culmination of the three-day film festival, will not only unite the crème de la crème of Africa’s film industry but also honour the achievements of deserving individuals from the year under review.
For many years, African film industries have produced movies and shows that have captivated audiences across the continent and beyond.
Despite limited resources, they have demonstrated remarkable creativity and speed in storytelling that resonates with viewers.
Various awards such as the Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (AMVCAs) have provided a platform to celebrate African filmmakers and their works. REFFA is also set to celebrate cinematic excellence by recognising outstanding films, filmmakers, and industry professionals.
Following a thorough screening process after the call for entries in September, the official nomination list for 2025 REFFA was released last month, featuring 112 nominees across 23 categories.
The nominations include 64 outstanding films from 21 countries across Africa and beyond.
The nominated films cover various categories, including Best Actor (Male), Best Actor (Female), Best Child Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Animation, and Films in African Languages.
“The 2025 REFFA nominees represent the finest creative voices currently redefining African cinema. Industry professionals, including established directors, emerging talents, and celebrated technical artists, will gather to see who wins the coveted trophies.
“Key categories feature fierce competition, with films like RISE (Zimbabwe) and Murder In Mind (Ghana) vying for Best Short Film, and actors such as Ikechukwu Onunaku (Nigeria) and Roselyn Ngissah (Ghana) competing for individual awards.
“We are proud of the calibre of submissions this year, works that tell genuine African stories with creativity and technical depth. The diversity of voices and themes shows how much our continent’s film industry has evolved,” said Selassie Ibrahim, Executive Director of REFFA.
Ghana has a strong presence on the inaugural nomination list. James Gardiner and Saani Ahmed were nominated in the Best Actor (Male) category, while Jackie Appiah is contending for Best Actor (Female). She faces competition from Nigeria’s Linda Ejiofor Suleiman, Osas Ighodaro, and Uche Montana.
Roselyn Ngissah earned a nomination for Best Actress in a Supporting Role for Red Carpet, while Jelilu Alhassan is in the running for Best Actor.
The three-day film festival, which commenced on Wednesday, 10 December, features master classes, panel discussions, and networking events aimed at bridging the gap between creativity, technology, and financing within Africa’s film industry.
Saturday’s event, which will be attended by President John Mahama as Guest of Honour, will also feature musical performances by Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, Empress Gifty, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa Band, and Patchbay Band.
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