Entertainment
REFFA AWARDS 2025; A night of glitz, glamour and a celebration of African stories
The powerful and vibrant landscape of African filmmaking received a regal celebration on Saturday, December 13, 2025, as the maiden edition of Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) held its grand awards night gala at the magnificent Palms Convention Centre, located within the La Palm Royal Beach Hotel.
The event, which was preceded by a four-day festival of film screenings, masterclasses, and networking, lived up to its promise as a major pan-African platform, drawing a massive turnout of incredible filmmakers, actors, industry professionals and stakeholders from across African countries and the diaspora.
The red carpet was a dazzling display of African fashion and glamour, setting the stage for an evening dedicated to honouring cinematic excellence.
Attendees hailed from key film hubs like Nigeria, Mauritius, Ghana, Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Morroco and beyond, underscoring REFFA’s commitment to continental unity and collaboration in the arts.
The Executive Director, Selassie Ibrahim and the REFFA team were praised for successfully launching a platform that not only recognizes outstanding talent but also provides vital opportunities for creative exchange and industry growth.
The overwhelming presence of both established and emerging talents highlighted the festival’s immediate impact in bridging the gap between creativity, technology, and financing in Africa’s film ecosystem.
The awards ceremony recognized achievements across numerous categories, celebrating the diversity and quality of films submitted from over 21 countries.
The movie ‘3 Cold Dishes’ directed by Oluseyi Asurf Amuwa and produced by Grammy award-wining artiste, Burna Boy won big on the night including Best Actress, Most Promising actor, Achievement in Production Design, Achievement in Sound, Best Cinematography.
They also walked away with a brand new car for winning the Best Picture award.
The event was attended by high-profile dignitaries which included the Second Lady of the Republic of Ghana, H.E Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang, the Chief of Staff of the Republic of Ghana, Hon. Julius Debrah, the archbishop Nicholas Duncan Williams, Deputy Chief of Staff, Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, the minister for Tourism, Culture and Creative Arts, Abla Dzifa Gomashie, Mr Ibrahim Mahama and a host of others including a representation from the Ga Mantse, King Tackie Teiko Tsuru II and His Royal Majesty Otumfour Osei Tutu II.
There were performances from Sonnie Badu, Diana Hamilton, King Promise, Kizz Daniel, Empress Gifty, Nene Narh, Parrot Mouth, Kwan Pa Band and Patchbay Band.
The maiden REFFA Awards concluded with a strong message: African cinema is a rapidly thriving industry with stories that resonate globally. The success of the festival in Accra signals a powerful new chapter for regional collaboration and international recognition of African film.
Some of the winners were
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, Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes
Best Pictures – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
Best Ghanaian Film – The Fisherman (Ghana) Best African Language Film — Karamoja (Uganda), Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Male) – Clemento Suarez (Ghana).
Award-winning Ghanaian musician, Wendy Asiamah Addo, known in showbiz circles as Wendy Shay, is poised for Artiste of the Year crown this year.
Through her hard work last year, the musician has earned about seven nominations for this year’s Telecel Ghana Music Awards.
Wendy Shay was nominated for Artiste of the Year, Album of the Year, Afrobeats Song of the Year, Afrobeats/Afropop Artiste of the Year, International Collaboration of the Year, Collaboration of the Year and Most Popular Song of the Year.
Speaking exclusively to her management, they said Wendy Shay last year graced over 40 shows, including her successful Shay Concert held at the West Hills Mall in Accra on November 22, 2025.
Additionally, they noted that through her hard work, she had international features with Movado (Apology), Phina (Too Late Remix), Bedjine (Too Late Remix), Guchi (Too Late Remix) and Niggy Boy (Weed & Wine).
They further told the paper that her ‘Ready’ album garnered over 25 million streams across all platforms, including massive airplays, adding that most of the songs featured prominently at parties and diverse events in Ghana and beyond.
Her management concluded that the hard work made her brand very attractive for Corporate Ghana, a feat which led Wendy Shay to secure ambassadorial deals with Peeva and Hisense.
Against this backdrop, they are optimistic that Wendy Shay is in pole position to win the coveted Artiste of the Year crown this year, and therefore called on industry players, all and sundry to vote for her.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
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Ghanaian highlife and Afrobeat musician Berima Amo has signed a new international recording deal with UK-based world music label ARC Music, a move seen as another boost for the global recognition of West African music.
Known for blending traditional highlife with Afrobeat, jazz and other global influences, Amo has become a strong advocate for preserving and promoting authentic African musical heritage while introducing it to new audiences around the world.
The announcement comes ahead of the release of his much-anticipated album “Rhythms of Love,” recorded live at Studio 150 Bethlehemkerk in Amsterdam. The album will be released worldwide on May 24, preceded by two singles: “Fake Flowers” on May 1 and “Yaba” featuring Tallulah Rose on May 8, 2026.
The new project is expected to expand Amo’s reputation as both a cultural preserver and musical innovator, pushing the boundaries of African sound through powerful rhythms and cross-genre fusion.
With five albums, two EPs and ten singles already available across major streaming platforms, Berima Amo continues to grow his global audience.
Berima Amo, a singer, trumpeter, composer and bandleader originally from Ghana and now active in Europe, has built a reputation for preserving the roots of highlife while reimagining it for modern audiences. Through performances, collaborations and educational initiatives, he has championed traditional African rhythms and instruments while blending them with Afrobeat, jazz, soul and orchestral music.
Many in the industry now view Amo as a torchbearer for authentic West African music, continuing the legacy of legendary figures such as E. T. Mensah, The Ramblers International Band, Rex Lawson, Ebo Taylor, Nana Ampadu, King Onyina, Osibisa and Fela Kuti, helping to carry the sound of West Africa to the world.
