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).
Multiple award-winning dancehall artiste Emmanuel Andrew Samini popularly known as Samini is set to return to his Dansoman base with the much-anticipated Samini Experience on December 24.
The musician, who has nurtured top talents from the community in the past, says this year’s edition will be held in collaboration with the Dansoman Homecoming Carnival, to make the event bigger.
Speaking to the media at Kegali Hotel during a press launch on Friday, October 16, Samini said activities including a clean-up exercise, health walk, Children’s Day and games will take place from December 18 ahead of the main event.
According to him, the choice of Dansoman is to give back to the community where it all started.
He added that the event was also aimed at nurturing future talents by giving them a platform to showcase their abilities.
He disclosed that some music legends from Dansoman and other big names in the music industry will be on the bill to thrill patrons.
Samini also revealed that the Dansoman Exhibition streets will be blocked to make way for the unforgettable night of music.
He expressed appreciation to the Ablekuma West Municipal Assembly for their collaboration to ensure the success of the programme.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
Read Daily News
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Buy Maps
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
Ghanaian musician Darlington Agyekum, popularly known as Dr Cryme, says he believes leadership is about making a lasting impact rather than holding office.
In an interview after graduating with a Bachelor of Business Administration in Management Studies at the Methodist University’s 2026 graduating class, Dr Cryme reflected on his student leadership journey and highlighted some of the initiatives he spearheaded while serving the university community.
“I always say this position is not a possession. People will come and go, but how you made a mark and who you helped is what we’re here for and how we’ll be remembered. Do your best, let God handle the rest,” he stated.
The rapper, who served as SRC President for the 2025/26 academic year, said his administration championed inclusiveness across the university’s three campuses under the motto, “For us, by us.”
“My motto, ‘For us, by us,’ brought inclusiveness and familiarity with all three campuses together in common goals and activities like education, health, sportsmanship and debates, which all projected the school to higher grounds and above,” he said.
According to him, the vision brought students together while strengthening unity and raising the profile of the university. He also served as a Council Member, Head of Entertainment and a face and brand ambassador for Methodist University Ghana.
Dr Cryme recounted that he was SRC President when the university celebrated its 25th anniversary and said his administration also revamped a legacy canteen project while improving seating facilities for students in classrooms and recreational areas.
He further disclosed that his administration introduced VOMUG (Voice of Methodist University Ghana), a communication platform designed to improve the dissemination of information through emails, bulk SMS, flyers and audio-visual content.
“I enhanced sitting materials for students both in the classrooms and outside for leisure and socialising. I also introduced VOMUG, which has helped in the dissemination of information through email, bulk SMS, flyers and audiovisuals, just to mention a few,” he added.
Although he and his team received citations from the university’s Tema administration in recognition of their service, Dr Cryme was quick to credit the wider university community for the achievements.
“Although we were presented with citations, myself and my team, by the administration in Tema, all these milestones wouldn’t have been attained without the support, involvement and indulgence of the beautiful people and stakeholders of Methodist University Ghana,” he said.
Beyond his academic achievement, Dr Cryme also announced that he has released a new single titled “Heat.”
SKIP THE QUEUE, TAP THE NEWS
You can now read the Ghanaian Times and The Spectator newspapers from the comfort of your device via TimesNewsPlus.
Buy Maps
Join our WhatsApp Channel: https://whatsapp.com/channel/0029VbBElzjInlqHhl1aTU27
