This year’s submissions showcased a rich diversity of storytelling, culture, and creativity
The organisers of the Regal Film Festival and Awards (REFFA) have officially announced the nominees for the 2025 edition of the festival, following an extensive screening process of 121 film entries received from 21 countries across Africa and beyond.
This year’s submissions showcased a rich diversity of storytelling, culture, and creativity, reflecting the vibrant pulse of Africa’s growing film industry and its global connections.
After weeks of rigorous evaluation by the Academy of Screeners, the list was narrowed down to 64 outstanding films, representing categories such as Feature Films, Short Films, Documentaries, Animation, and African Language Films.
Speaking at the nomination announcement event held in Accra, the Festival Director commended the filmmakers for their exceptional works and expressed appreciation for the international participation that continues to position the Regal Film Festival as a truly continental platform for creative excellence.
“We are proud of the caliber of films submitted this year — works that tell authentic African stories with creativity and technical depth.
“The diversity of voices and themes demonstrates how far our continent’s film industry has evolved,” said Selassie Ibrahim the Executive Director.
The Regal Film Festival and Awards serves as a hub for creative exchange, film appreciation, and recognition of cinematic talent across Africa and the Diaspora.
The nominated films will compete in various award categories, culminating in the Awards Night scheduled for December 13, 2025, in Accra, Ghana.
Beyond the competition, this year’s festival program will also feature industry master classes, panel discussions, and networking events aimed at bridging the gap between creativity, technology, and financing in Africa’s film ecosystem.
FULL NOMINEES LIST
Category Nominees
Best Short Film/b>
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 Actor in a Supporting Role (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 Actor in a Supporting Role (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 (Morroco) 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) Best Film 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 Ghanaian Film
The Funeral of Kwadae The Fisherman Last Stop Look Taste of Sin Best African Language Film KARAMOJA (UGANADA)
