Accra Hosts Historic First Edition of REFFA Awards 2025

The African film industry stepped into a defining moment on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as the maiden edition of the Regal Film Festival and Awards, REFFA 2025, hosted its grand awards night in Accra, Ghana.

The prestigious event took place at the Palms Convention Centre within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel, setting the tone for a night filled with pride, recognition, culture, and bold storytelling. From the atmosphere to the lineup of guests, REFFA 2025 announced itself as a serious new force in African cinema.

The awards night marked the high point of a four-day festival that brought together film screenings, masterclasses, industry conversations, and networking sessions. For filmmakers and creatives across the continent, REFFA 2025 offered more than applause and trophies. It created a space for learning, collaboration, and connection. The festival drew an impressive mix of directors, actors, producers, writers, investors, and stakeholders from Africa and the diaspora, all united by a shared passion for African stories.

As guests arrived, the red carpet delivered a striking visual statement. African fashion took center stage in bold silhouettes, cultural details, and confident styling. Fashion designers and creatives used fabric, color, and form to express heritage and modern identity. The red carpet was not just about glamour. It reflected self-expression, pride, and the growing confidence of Africa’s creative industries.

The diversity of attendees reinforced REFFA’s pan-African vision. Filmmakers and industry professionals traveled from major creative hubs across Africa, including Nigeria, Ghana, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mauritius, Morocco, and more. This wide representation highlighted the festival’s commitment to unity and cross-border collaboration. The energy in the room showed what is possible when African creatives come together without limits.

The Executive Director, Selassie Ibrahim, alongside the REFFA team, received widespread praise for successfully delivering such a strong first edition. Launching a festival of this scale requires clear vision, discipline, and dedication, all of which were evident throughout the event. Beyond celebrating finished films, REFFA positioned itself as a platform that addresses key challenges within the African film industry, including access to funding, technical skills, innovation, and global exposure.

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One of the most powerful aspects of the night was the presence of both established names and rising talents. Seasoned professionals shared space with emerging filmmakers, creating an environment that felt inclusive and forward-looking. This balance reflected REFFA’s mission to support growth across all levels of the industry, ensuring that new voices are not only seen but encouraged.

The awards ceremony itself celebrated excellence across a wide range of categories, reflecting the depth and quality of films submitted from over 21 countries. Each award told a story of creativity, discipline, and cultural expression. The audience responded with excitement as winners were announced, recognizing the effort behind every project.

The standout film of the night was “3 Cold Dishes,” directed by Oluseyi Asurf Amuwa and produced by Grammy Award-winning artist Burna Boy. The film dominated the awards, earning multiple wins and emerging as the evening’s biggest success. Its achievements highlighted the power of strong storytelling supported by solid production and creative vision.

“3 Cold Dishes” won Best Actress, Most Promising Actor, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Sound, and Achievement in Cinematography. The film also claimed the highly coveted Best Picture award, which came with a brand new car. The moment was met with loud applause, marking a major milestone for the film and its creators.

Other films across the continent also received well-deserved recognition. “Rise” from Zimbabwe won Best Film, showing the strength of storytelling coming from Southern Africa. Nigeria’s “Beyond Olympic Glory” earned Best Documentary, emphasizing the impact of real-life narratives and social themes. Ghana’s “The Guardians — The Chosen Ones” took home Best Animation, signaling steady growth in the animation space within African cinema.

Student filmmakers were celebrated as “Ebu” from Ghana won Best Student Film, reinforcing the importance of supporting young creatives. Acting categories highlighted powerful performances that brought stories to life. Ricky Adelayitar won Best Actor Male for “The Fisherman,” while Fat Toure, Osas Ighodaro, and Maud Guerard shared the Best Actress award for their roles in “3 Cold Dishes.”

Supporting performances also stood out. Clemento Suarez won Best Supporting Actor Male, while Mercy Aigbe claimed Best Supporting Actor Female for her role in “My Mother Is A Witch.” These wins reflected the importance of depth and balance in storytelling.

Technical excellence received strong attention throughout the night. Awards for costume design, makeup, sound, visual effects, editing, and cinematography highlighted the growing professionalism of African film production. These categories showcased the behind-the-scenes talent shaping the visual and emotional quality of African films.

Creative leadership was also recognized. “My Mother Is A Witch” won Achievement in Screenplay, while Asurf Oluseyi earned Achievement in Directing for “3 Cold Dishes.” These awards honored the creative minds responsible for shaping stories from script to screen.

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Cultural authenticity played a major role in the awards. “The Fisherman” won Best Ghanaian Film, celebrating local storytelling, while Uganda’s “Karamoja” received Best African Language Film, highlighting the importance of native language cinema across the continent.

The REFFA 2025 was further elevated by the presence of high-profile dignitaries. Guests included the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, Chief of Staff Hon. Julius Debrah, Archbishop Nicholas Duncan-Williams, Deputy Chief of Staff Hon. Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts Hon. Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Mr. Ibrahim Mahama, and respected traditional leaders, including representatives of the Ga Mantse and His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu II.

Their attendance sent a clear message of support for the creative sector. It emphasized the role of film in cultural promotion, national identity, and economic development. The presence of leadership added weight to the festival’s impact and future potential.

Live performances added energy and excitement to the celebration. Artists such as Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Empress Gifty, Nene Narh, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa Band, and Patchbay Band delivered engaging performances that kept the audience entertained throughout the night. The blend of music and film created a full cultural experience.

As the event came to a close, the message was clear. African cinema is thriving, confident, and ready for global audiences. The success of the maiden REFFA 2025 in Accra marked the beginning of a new chapter in African filmmaking, built on collaboration, recognition, and belief in African stories.

Here are some of the best-dressed celebrities from the REFFA 2025, where fashion, culture, and confidence came together to complete an unforgettable celebration of African film.