The Ghanaian film industry is witnessing a historic moment at the Palms Convention Centre, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, as the Regal Film Festival and Awards 2025 (REFFA 2025) officially unfolds in Accra.
The opening ceremony was graced by the Minister of Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Hon. Ablah Dzifa Gomashie, and marked by an inspiring welcome address from the festival’s creator and convener, renowned Ghanaian actress and film executive Selassie Ibrahim. She expressed strong optimism about the future of Ghana’s film industry, describing REFFA as a vital platform for growth, collaboration, and global recognition.
REFFA 2025 features a rich programme of film screenings, workshops, masterclasses, and panel discussions, facilitated by respected industry professionals. These include Chris Odeh, Founder of Sozo Films, and Joy Odiete, CEO of Blue Pictures Entertainment, both from Nigeria, as well as Ghanaian filmmakers Peter Sedufia of OldFilm Productions and Shirley Frimpong-Manso of Sparrow Productions.
The festival has attracted several prominent actors, including Fred Amugi, Ken Fiati, Pascaline Edwards, Portia Asare, Roselyn Ngissah, Gloria Safo, and Bill Asamoah from Ghana, alongside Nigerian stars Ruth Kadiri and Osas Ighodaro.
REFFA 2025 has also drawn participation from film industry stakeholders across Morocco, Ethiopia, Nigeria, Uganda, South Africa, the United Kingdom, and the United States, reinforcing its growing international appeal.
Speaking in an interview with Julius Anyaele, filmmaker and producer at Bullet TV, a subsidiary of the Tobinco Media Group, veteran actor Adjetey Annan highlighted the urgent need to bridge the gap between film academia and the mainstream film industry.
According to him, stronger collaboration between academic institutions and practitioners is key to achieving sustainable growth in Ghana’s film sector.
The festival will climax with a strictly-by-invitation awards ceremony scheduled for Saturday, 13th December at 6:00 PM, celebrating excellence in African and diaspora cinema.
