A new festival and awards dubbed Regal Film Festival and awards (REFFA) has been launched in Accra, Ghana in a landmark move to spotlight Africa's dynamic storytelling and cinematic celebration of excellence, the inaugural Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) has officially out doored, ushering in a new era for the continent's film and creative industry.

REFFA is set to become a flagship cultural event on the African calendar, the festival aims to celebrate outstanding achievements in African filmmaking, nurture emerging talents, and create a global platform for African stories to be seen, heard, and honored.

Speaking at the launch, the Festival Executive Director, Selassie Ibrahim, emphasized the importance of building a strong, united front to project African creativity to the world. “African cinema is thriving from Ghana to Nigeria, Senegal, Kenya to 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 said.

The festival will feature a 4-long program of film screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses, and cultural showcases, culminating in a prestigious awards ceremony that will recognize excellence in different categories and more.

Regal Film Festival and Awards is Open to filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora, the awards seek to create a unique space where culture, creativity, and commerce intersect. The festival also aims to foster partnerships between African filmmakers and international collaborators, investors, and distributors.

The launch event was attended by businessmen and women, industry stakeholders across Africa, government representatives, international organizations cultural institutions, media professionals, and film enthusiasts who expressed strong support for the initiative.

As African cinema continues to gain global attention, REFFA will serve as a powerful platform to honor its pioneers, celebrate its innovators, and inspire the next generation of storytellers.

Call for Entries

Submissions open for all categories on the 10th of July 2025 on the Film freeway portal. (Feature, Animation, Documentary, Comedy and Short Film) Filmmakers are encouraged to visit  www.reffaawards.com for guidelines and to submit their work before the deadline.