The organisers of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) have opened submissions for the 2026 edition of the festival, while urging filmmakers to take advantage of training, networking and screening opportunities aimed at strengthening Ghana’s film industry.
The call was made during a REFFA masterclass held at the SG Mall at Top High , Oforikrom , where aspiring and established filmmakers received training from industry professionals ahead of the festival scheduled for December 8 to 12, 2026.
Speaking at the event, Founder and Executive Director of RIFA, Mrs.Selassie Ibrahim, said the annual festival is designed not only to celebrate excellence in filmmaking but also to build the capacity of filmmakers through workshops, masterclasses, networking sessions and industry discussions.
This year’s festival is said to run from December 8 to 11, featuring film screenings, a film market, cultural activities, panel discussions, workshops and networking events, while the awards ceremony will take place on December 12.
According to Mrs. Ibrahim, REFFA brings together filmmakers, producers, industry veterans and international professionals to share knowledge and create opportunities for collaboration across the film industry.
She stressed the importance of originality and professionalism, saying the industry continues to seek filmmakers who demonstrate genuine creativity and commitment to quality storytelling.
Ms. Ibrahim also expressed concern over what she described as the limited promotion of Ghanaian productions on local television stations.
She argued that the frequent airing of foreign films, particularly Nigerian productions, reduces the visibility of locally produced content and slows the growth of Ghana’s film industry.
Unlike Ghana, she said, “television stations in Nigeria give greater prominence to their local productions, helping to strengthen their domestic film market”.
Film practitioner Faustina Paintsil also called for what she described as “a revamp, a paradigm shift and a new direction” for Ghana’s film industry.
She said the sector is not necessarily in decline but requires renewed commitment from both industry players and emerging filmmakers to unlock its full potential.
According to her, while film education in Ghana continues to improve, students and aspiring filmmakers must take personal responsibility for developing their skills and pursuing excellence.
She noted that some professionals already working in the industry have returned to school to further their education after recognising the value of formal training in filmmaking.
Ms. Paintsil also raised concerns about information gatekeeping within the industry, saying greater collaboration and knowledge-sharing would help develop the next generation of filmmakers.
Meanwhile, REFFA organisers announced that submissions for the 2026 festival remain open until August 3, 2026.
Filmmakers are encouraged to submit feature films, short films, documentaries, scripts and other eligible projects through FilmFreeway, accessible via the festival’s official website.
Submitted works will undergo an initial screening process by academy screeners before being reviewed by an international jury, which will determine nominations across various award categories.
The nominees are expected to be announced in October, ahead of the festival and awards ceremony in December.
Organisers explained that selected films may be screened during the festival even if they are not ultimately nominated for an award.
The annual REFFA festival was launched in December 2025 and has since positioned itself as a platform for celebrating African cinema while promoting skills development, networking and international collaboration within the film industry.
