REFFA Awards 2025 Celebrates African Stories

Accra played host to a dazzling celebration of African cinema on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as the inaugural Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) culminated in a grand awards night gala at the Palms Convention Centre, La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.

The four-day festival, featuring film screenings, masterclasses, and networking sessions, proved a resounding success, attracting a significant turnout of filmmakers, actors, and industry stakeholders from across the continent and its diaspora.

The red carpet was a vibrant showcase of African fashion and style, setting a glamorous tone for an evening dedicated to recognizing cinematic achievements. Representatives from key film industries in Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco, and beyond attended, highlighting REFFA’s pan-African vision.

Selassie Ibrahim, Executive Director, and the entire REFFA team received commendation for establishing a platform that not only celebrates talent but also fosters crucial creative and financial connections within the African film sector.

The festival’s impact was immediately felt, bridging the gap between creativity, technology, and funding for both established and emerging filmmakers. The awards ceremony itself honoured excellence across a diverse range of categories, reflecting the quality and variety of submissions from over 21 countries.

‘3 Cold Dishes’, directed by Oluseyi Asurf Amuwa and produced by Grammy award-winning artist Burna Boy, was the night’s biggest winner, taking home awards for Best Actress, Most Promising Actor, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Sound, and Best Cinematography. The film also received a brand new car for winning the coveted Best Picture award.

The event drew a distinguished guest list including 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, and businessman Ibrahim Mahama. Representatives from the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu II were also in attendance.

Performances by Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Empress Gifty, Nene Narh, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa Band and Patchbay Band added to the evening’s entertainment.

REFFA’s inaugural awards concluded with a powerful message: African cinema is a thriving industry with stories that resonate globally. The festival’s success in Accra marks a significant step forward for regional collaboration and international recognition of African film.

Full List of Winners:

• Best Film – RISE (Zimbabwe)
• Best Documentary – Beyond Olympic Glory (Nigeria)
• Best Animation – The Guardians —The Chosen Ones (Ghana)
• Best Student Film – Ebu (Ghana)
• Best Actor (Male) – Ricky Adelayitar – The Fisherman (Ghana)
• Best Actor (Female) – Fat Toure / Osas Ighodaro / Maud Guerard – 3 Cold Dishes
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) – Clemento Suarez (Ghana)
• Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female) – Mercy Aigbe – My Mother Is A Witch (Nigeria)
• Most Promising Actor – Maud Guerard – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
• Best Child Actor — Sikhanyiso Ngwenya — Rise (Zimbabwe)
• Achievement in Costume Design – Joan Nantege – Karamoja(Uganda)
• Achievement in Production Design – Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
• Achievement in Make Up – Alakpa Uduoghene – My Mother Is A Witch (Nigeria)
• Achievement in Sound – Andrew Ahuura – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
• Achievement in Visual Effects – Darie Amai Shelton / Nurudeen Tahiru – The Fisherman (Ghana)
• Achievement in Cinematography – KC. Obiajulu – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
• Achievement in Editing – Jasmin Way – The Fisherman (Ghana)
• Achievement in Screenplay – My Mother Is A Witch (Nigeria)
• Achievement in Directing – Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
• Best Pictures – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
• Best Ghanaian Film – The Fisherman (Ghana)
• Best African Language Film — Karamoja (Uganda)

Image Source: MYJOYONLINE