The organisers of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) have officially unveiled the nominees for the 2025 edition after completing an extensive screening of 121 film submissions from 21 countries across Africa and beyond. This year’s entries brought together an impressive mix of storytelling innovation, cultural richness, and creative vision, highlighting the remarkable growth of Africa’s film industry and its deepening global influence.
After several weeks of rigorous assessment by the Academy of Screeners, the submissions were narrowed down to 64 outstanding films. These selected works represent major categories including Feature Film, Short Film, Documentary, Animation, and African Language Film, reinforcing the festival’s commitment to celebrating diverse cinematic voices.
During the nomination announcement in Accra, the Festival Director praised filmmakers for their dedication to producing exceptional work. He also emphasized the increasing international participation, which continues to position REFFA as a premier continental platform for creative excellence.
Executive Director Selassie Ibrahim further highlighted the significance of this year’s entries. “We are proud of the films submitted because they tell authentic African stories with creativity and technical depth,” she said. “Furthermore, the variety of themes shows how far our industry has progressed.”
The Regal Film Festival and Awards remains a vibrant hub for creative exchange, film appreciation, and the celebration of African and Diasporan talent. The nominated films are set to compete for top honours at the Awards Night on December 13, 2025, in Accra, Ghana.
Additionally, the 2025 festival will feature masterclasses, panel discussions, and networking sessions designed to bridge creativity, technology, and financing—offering valuable support to filmmakers across the continent.
2025 REFFA Nomination List
Best Short Film
- RISE (Zimbabwe)
- Murder In Mind (Ghana)
- Regret (Morocco)
- Behind The Lie (Ghana)
- Quiet (Ghana)
Best Documentary
- Beyond Olympic Glory (Nigeria)
- Children of Diaspora (France)
- The Good, The Bad & The Ugly of Afrobeat (Nigeria)
Best Animation
- United To Save the Environment (Uganda)
- The Guardians – The Chosen Ones (Ghana)
Best Student Film
- Ebu (Ghana)
- Dinner for Three (Uganda)
- Secret Beneath the Surface (South Africa)
- Mother Country (Ethiopia)
Acting Categories
Best Actor (Male)
- Ricky Adelayitar – The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Ikechukwu Onunaku – Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- Peter Odeke – JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
- James Gardiner – Taste of Sin (Ghana)
- Saani Ahmed – Look (Ghana)
Best Actor (Female)
- Linda Ejiofor Suleiman – To Love and to Protect (Nigeria)
- Fat Toure / Osas Ighodaro / Maud Guerard – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- Evelyn Atim – KARAMOJA (Uganda)
- Uche Montana – Test of Faith (Nigeria)
- Jackie Appiah – Taste of Sin (Ghana)
- Efe Irele – My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
Best Supporting Actor (Male)
- Desmond Elliot – Unknown Soja (Nigeria)
- Wale Ojo – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- Odong Martin – KARAMOJA (Uganda)
- Clemento Suarez – Last Stop (Ghana)
- Alele Sayub – JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
Best Supporting Actor (Female)
- Roselyn Ngissah – Red Carpet (Ghana)
- Amelie Mbaye – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- Mercy Aigbe – My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
- Bimbo Ademoye – Boss Down (Nigeria)
Most Promising Actor
- Maud Guerard – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- Endurance Dedzo – The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Andrew Tandoh Adote – Last Stop (Ghana)
- Alele Sayub – JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
- Sena Agbeko – Two of a Kind (Ghana)
- Nelima Mimi Koyabe – The Forbidden Mirror (Botswana)
Best Child Actor
- Sikhanyiso Ngwenya – Rise (Zimbabwe)
- Lilia Guennouni – Regret (Morocco)
- Jelilu Alhassan – Quiet (Ghana)
Achievement Categories
Achievement in Costume Design
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- KARAMOJA (Uganda)
- Black Wedding (Nigeria)
- JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
Achievement in Production Design
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- My Father (Mauritius)
- Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- Scar (Nigeria)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
Achievement in Make-Up
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
- Scar (Nigeria)
- JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
Achievement in Sound
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
- My Father (Mauritius)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- The Forbidden Mirror (Botswana)
Achievement in Visual Effects
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- The Forbidden Mirror (Botswana)
Achievement in Cinematography
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- KARAMOJA (Uganda)
- Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- Scar (Nigeria)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- The Funeral of Kwadae (Ghana)
- My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
Achievement in Editing
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Last Stop (Ghana)
- Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- The Funeral of Kwadae (Ghana)
Achievement in Screenplay
- JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- The Funeral of Kwadae (Ghana)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Last Stop (Ghana)
- My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
Achievement in Directing
- Zoey Martinson – The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Matthew Bishanga – JANANI: THE LAST STAND (Uganda)
- Asurf Oluseyi – 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- Niyi Akinmolayan – My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
- Kwabena Gyansah – Last Stop (Ghana)
- Soji Ogunnaike – Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- 3 Cold Dishes (Nigeria)
- The Fisherman (Ghana)
- Dead Tide (Nigeria)
- My Mother is a Witch (Nigeria)
- The Funeral of Kwadae (Ghana)
- Last Stop (Ghana)
Best Film
Best Ghanaian Film
- The Funeral of Kwadae
- The Fisherman
- Last Stop
- Look
- Taste of Sin
Best African Language Film
- KARAMOJA (Uganda)