Entertainment
Love makes history, wins maiden Kel Di Asa Xtra
• Mr. Albert Dwumfour presenting a cheque to Love.
It was a moment of tears of joy as Stella Appiah Newton, affectionately called Love, was crowned winner of maiden edition of Kel Di Asa Xtra held at the National Theatre on Sunday, July 10, 2022.
Kel Di Asa Xtra, consists of all finalists who have participated in the competition since its inception with the aim of reassembling all participants of the competition who reached the last 10 from its beginning, thus, Season One to Five.
For her prize, she was given GH₵50,000 in addition to other souvenirs from sponsors
Maame who occupied the second spot at the end of the event took home GH₵40,000. Dee Baby, received GH₵30,000 for being adjudged 3rd, whereas PM took home GH₵20,000 for placing fourth.
Also Borley who came 5th received cash prize of GH₵10,000 with Bene and Doris, who 6th and 7th respectively had GH₵5,000 cash prize together with other contestants, Maafia, Sapato, Pandy, Mercy, and Mimi.
In addition, all the contestants were given other products from sponsors for their amazing display.
Speaking at the ceremony, the President of Ghana Journalists Association (GJA) and Head of Corporate Affairs for Tobinco Group, Mr Kwabena Dwumfour used the opportunity to declare Season Six of Di Asa competition duly launched.
He said this time, they would go back to their roots where auditions would be held at various market places in 12 regions of Ghana.
On the night, there were some performances from Fancy Gadem, Akatakyie, Kwame Yogo and others.
The programme started in March with about 49 contestants, and after weeks of wonderful display on various stages, about 12 contestants made it to the final lap.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
Entertainment
Stonebwoy joins American recording artiste Mashanda Faust and Atlanta-based musical group
Ghanaian dancehall and Afrobeats artiste Stonebwoy has joined American recording artiste Mashanda Faust and Atlanta-based musical group Hero The Band on “Wrong Toes”, a song featured on the official soundtrack of the upcoming action comedy film Boyz Trip.
The collaboration brings together musical talents from Ghana and the United States, offering another opportunity to showcase Ghanaian music to international audiences through cinema.
The film, scheduled for worldwide theatrical release in 2027, is set in Cape Town, South Africa, and combines action, comedy and African cultural influences.
According to information released by KeyScott Entertainment, the production company behind the project, the official music video for “Wrong Toes” was filmed at Cape Town Film Studios in South Africa, under the creative direction of Warren Gray, an award-winning creative director.
The song was written by Alan Key and Faten El Sayed, with Key originating the concept and Kyle Scott overseeing its creative development and execution alongside Faust.
Stonebwoy, known for his blend of Afrobeats, reggae and dancehall, contributes his distinctive sound to the international production, which seeks to connect audiences across Africa, North America, Europe and Australia.
The song forms part of a collection of original music being developed for the film’s soundtrack through KeyScott Entertainment’s music division, which focuses on original film music, music publishing, artist development and international collaborations.
Boyz Trip stars Desi Banks, Rome Flynn, Algee Smith and South African actor Siv Ngesi.
The story follows four longtime college friends who reunite for an international vacation in Cape Town, only for their getaway to descend into a chaotic adventure after they become entangled in the dangerous world of a notorious criminal known as Le Serpent.
The film is executive produced by Alan Key and Kyle Scott, co-founders of KeyScott Entertainment, an international film, and television and music Production Company headquartered in Brisbane, Australia.
Scott also directs the film, with Autumn Bailey-Ford as lead producer and Sarsha Venord and Jamez T. serving as co-producers. Ama K. Abebrese, Lya Castillo and Shayla Hill are associate producers.
The production is planning international premiere events in Cape Town, Atlanta, London, Los Angeles and Brisbane, with further details on its theatrical distribution, soundtrack releases and promotional activities expected ahead of its 2027 launch.
Stonebwoy’s involvement in the project adds a Ghanaian musical dimension to the production’s international appeal, placing his sound alongside American performers in a film that draws on African locations and cultural influences.
By spectator reporter
The National Film Authority (NFA) on Saturday launched the Cinema Train Initiative to improve access to cinema, strengthen film exhibition and rebuild the culture of cinema-going in Ghana.
The initiative, expected to provide a common platform for film producers, distributors, exhibitors and audiences to connect and create a sustainable market for Ghanaian films.
The Executive Secretary of the NFA, Kafui Danku Pitcher who announced the initiative at the launch, said limited access to cinema facilities and exhibition opportunities remained a major challenge confronting the country’s film industry.
She noted that while filmmakers invested considerable time and resources in producing films, many of their works struggled to reach audiences because of the limited platforms available for exhibition.
” We cannot build a sustainable film industry if we produce films without creating pathways for people to watch them,” she said.
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She explained that the initiative went beyond screening films, describing it as an effort to build an ecosystem where producers could showcase their works, distributors could connect content to markets and exhibitors could attract audiences.
She further urged Ghanaians to support the initiative by purchasing tickets, watching local films and encouraging others to patronise Ghanaian cinema.
The Executive Secretary called on corporate organisations and potential sponsors to invest in the initiative, saying their support would help expand cinema access, strengthen the creative economy and connect brands with audiences across the country.
He stressed that the success of the initiative required a collective commitment from all stakeholders, adding that the NFA was prepared to facilitate the partnerships necessary to advance the vision.
NFA board board Chairman, Mr Ivan Quashigah further demonstrated the Authority’s commitment by announcing plans to purchase tickets through the platform to support films currently available for screening.
He added that the platform seeks to bring key groups in the film industry onto one track:producers, distributors exhibitors and audiences.
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