African Film Industry Gets Major Boost as Desmond Elliot, Queen Blessing Ebigieson Grace Launch of Regal Film Festival in Accra
Accra, Ghana – June 2025
The city of Accra came alive with glamour and creative energy as it played host to the official launch of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) — a new pan-African film initiative founded by celebrated Ghanaian filmmaker, Selassie Ibrahim.
Held at the prestigious Marriott Hotel, the event attracted a constellation of African film and cultural icons including Nigerian lawmaker and actor Hon. Desmond Elliot, President of the Association of Movie Producers of Nigeria Amb. Queen Blessing Ebigieson, Ghanaian director Shirley Frimpong Manso, artist and entrepreneur Ibrahim Mahama, business mogul Sir Sam Jonah, Nana Prah, Prince Kofi Amoabeng, Joselyn Dumas, Kalsoume Sinare, Fred Amugi, and several other industry leaders and creatives.
REFFA is envisioned as a premier platform for celebrating and amplifying African and Diaspora storytelling, with a strong emphasis on authenticity, collaboration, and industry development.
> “REFFA is not just a festival; it is a call to action — a movement that celebrates the regal spirit, resilience, and creativity of African storytellers,” said Selassie Ibrahim, Executive Director of REFFA. “We are telling our stories with authenticity, pride, and global excellence.”
Nigeria Pledges Support
Amb. Queen Blessing Ebigieson hailed the initiative as timely and essential, pledging full support from Nigeria’s vibrant film sector.
Hon. Desmond Elliot echoed similar sentiments, describing REFFA as a visionary project with the potential to reshape global narratives about Africa. “This is the kind of platform we need to elevate African cinema and assert control over our own stories,” he said.
Festival Dates and Highlights
The inaugural edition of REFFA is set to take place from December 17 to 20, 2025, featuring a rich schedule that includes:
Curated screenings of African and Diaspora films across genres
Masterclasses with renowned filmmakers
Industry panels, leadership forums, and investor roundtables
A star-studded awards gala honoring excellence in African filmmaking
Award Categories
REFFA will spotlight outstanding works in the following categories:
Best Feature Film
Best Short Film
Best Documentary
Best Animation
Best Diaspora Film
Technical and performance-based categories
Submissions Open July 10
Filmmakers across the continent and the African Diaspora are invited to submit their works starting July 10, 2025, via FilmFreeway. Categories include feature films, short films, documentaries, comedies, and animations.
Beyond recognition, REFFA aims to become a catalyst for sustainable growth within Africa’s creative industries. Plans are underway to introduce talent incubation programs, cross-border collaborations, and initiatives to attract local and international investment into African filmmaking.
> “This is just the beginning,” Ibrahim concluded. “REFFA will set a new benchmark for excellence in African cinema and become a global spectacle where our voices are celebrated and our stories shine.”
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