Regal Film Festival and Awards unveils 314 entries for 2026 edition

The Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) has officially announced its nominees for the 2026 edition, marking a significant milestone with 314 entries submitted from 36 countries. The announcement, made during a ceremony at the Accra Marriott Hotel, sets the stage for the four-day festival scheduled to run from December 8 to 11, 2026. The event attracted prominent industry figures, including actresses Joselyn Dumas and Eunice Banini, highlighting the growing prestige of the festival founded by producer Selassie Ibrahim.

Speaking at the unveiling, Ms. Ibrahim emphasized that REFFA is designed to be more than just an awards ceremony; it is a platform for building a sustainable film industry in Ghana and across Africa. To achieve this, the 2026 festival will incorporate an extensive program featuring panel discussions, scriptwriting sessions, and marketing workshops. These initiatives are intended to foster professional connections and provide a content market where filmmakers can engage with investors and distributors to secure global visibility for their work.

The competition for the 2026 honours features a diverse array of local and international productions. In the prestigious Best Picture category, the Ghanaian film "No Man of God" will compete against Kenya’s "Nawi – Dear Future Me." Other notable nominations include "Shadows of the Past" and "Fiashidi" in the Best Student Documentary category, while "Almost Forever" and the Ghana-US co-production "Dictatrix" are vying for Best Short Film. International recognition is also a key component, with films like "The Border" (Italy) and "Blind Pursuit" (United States) listed among the nominees.

Beyond the competitive awards, the festival aims to ensure that African stories are told authentically and meet international quality standards. Ms. Ibrahim expressed her commitment to promoting indigenous content on the world stage, asserting that the festival serves as a bridge for African narratives to reach broader audiences. The 2026 REFFA will culminate in a final gala ceremony on December 12, celebrating the achievements of filmmakers who are pushing the boundaries of cinematic storytelling.