Regal Film Festival and Awards Launched in Accra to Celebrate African Cinema
A major cultural milestone was reached in Ghana as the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) was officially launched in Accra. The newly introduced film festival and awards scheme is designed to promote Africa’s rich storytelling tradition and spotlight the continent’s growing influence in the global film industry.
REFFA is poised to become a premier cultural event on the African calendar celebrating outstanding achievements in filmmaking, nurturing new talent and offering a global stage for African voices and stories to be heard and honored.
At the launch event, Executive Director of the festival Selassie Ibrahim highlighted the importance of unity and collaboration in pushing African cinema forward.
African cinema is thriving from Ghana to Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya and South Africa and it’s time the world experiences the full power of our stories, our voices, and our talents. This festival is not just a celebration but a movement to elevate African film, she stated.
REFFA will run a four-day programme filled with film screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses and cultural showcases. The festival will conclude with a prestigious awards ceremony recognizing excellence across various filmmaking categories.
Open to filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora, REFFA aims to be more than a celebration it is designed to be a hub where creativity, culture and commerce meet. The festival seeks to encourage collaborations between African filmmakers and international producers, investors and distributors.
The launch event attracted a wide range of attendees including business leaders, government officials, film industry professionals, cultural organizations and media representatives. Their presence and support underscored the relevance and timeliness of this initiative.
As African films continue to gain recognition on global platforms, REFFA is expected to play a crucial role in honoring film pioneers uplifting today’s innovators and inspiring future generations of African storytellers.
Filmmakers are invited to submit their works starting July 10, 2025, via the FilmFreeway portal. Categories include:
• Feature Film
• Animation
• Documentary
• Comedy
• Short Film
Interested participants can visit the official website, www.reffaawards.com for full submission guidelines and deadlines.
The Regal Film Festival and Awards is more than just an event it is a call to action for African creatives to shine, collaborate and lead the way in global storytelling.