The richness and growing global influence of African cinema took centre stage on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as the maiden edition of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) crowned its inaugural winners at a glamorous ceremony held at the Palms Convention Centre inside the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.
The historic awards night followed an intensive four-day film festival that featured curated screenings, industry masterclasses, panel discussions, and high-level networking sessions, positioning REFFA as a bold new pan-African platform dedicated to storytelling, collaboration, and film industry development.
Filmmakers, actors, producers, distributors, and creative stakeholders from across the continent and the African diaspora turned out in large numbers, affirming the festival’s immediate relevance and appeal within the global film community.
A Night of Glamour and Continental Unity
The red carpet came alive with breathtaking African fashion, culture, and elegance, setting the tone for a night devoted to artistic excellence. Delegates and guests arrived from major film hubs including Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Morocco, Mauritius, and several other countries, underscoring REFFA’s commitment to fostering unity and cross-border collaboration in African filmmaking.
The Executive Director of REFFA, Selassie Ibrahim, together with his team, received widespread praise for successfully launching a platform that not only honours cinematic excellence but also bridges creativity, technology, and financing within Africa’s rapidly evolving film ecosystem.
The strong presence of both established industry icons and emerging talents highlighted the festival’s role in nurturing the next generation of African filmmakers while amplifying globally competitive storytelling.
‘3 Cold Dishes’ Dominates the Night
The night’s biggest winner was the critically acclaimed film 3 Cold Dishes, directed by Oluseyi Asurf Amuwa and produced by Grammy Award-winning artiste Burna Boy. The film swept multiple major categories, including Best Actress, Most Promising Actor, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Sound, and Best Cinematography.
Crowning its dominant performance, 3 Cold Dishes also secured the coveted Best Picture award, earning the production team a brand-new car in addition to the top honour.
Overall, the awards celebrated films submitted from more than 21 countries, reflecting the diversity, depth, and creative strength of African cinema across genres and languages.
Distinguished Guests and Star Performances
The event attracted a host of high-profile dignitaries, including the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang; the 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 business mogul Mr Ibrahim Mahama.
Royal representation was also present, with delegates from the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II, and His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu II, adding cultural gravitas to the occasion.
Musical performances lit up the night, with electrifying sets from Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Empress Gifty, Nene Narh, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa Band, and Patchbay Band, blending film and music into a vibrant celebration of African creativity.
A New Chapter for African Film
The successful conclusion of the maiden REFFA Awards sent a clear and powerful message: African cinema is thriving, competitive, and ready for the global stage. The festival’s debut in Accra marks the beginning of a new era of collaboration, recognition, and international visibility for African storytellers.
Full List of Winners – REFFA 2025
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 Supporting Actor (Male) – Clemento Suarez (Ghana)
Best Supporting Actor (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 Picture – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
Best Ghanaian Film – The Fisherman (Ghana)
Best African Language Film – Karamoja (Uganda)
 crowned its inaugural winners at a glamorous ceremony held at the Palms Convention Centre inside the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel in Accra.){kind=link}