By Paul Mamattah
The European Union Film Festival Ghana 2026 has ended in Accra with the recognition of outstanding filmmakers and emerging storytellers, following a seven-day celebration of cinema, cultural exchange and creative collaboration between Ghana and Europe.
The closing ceremony, held on October 11, 2026, marked the end of the festival, which showcased 21 films under the theme, “Peace, Tolerance and Inclusivity.”
A major highlight of the event was the EU Ghana Pitch Café competition, which provided a platform for emerging Ghanaian writers to present their film projects and receive support to develop their ideas.
Kwaku Edusei Acquah won the first prize of GH¢10,000 for his animation project, Obonsam Cartoons. Dela Duvi, whose project was titled Unfinished Business, took the second prize, while Adwoa Safoa Oppong-Nyarko placed third with I See You.
In addition to the awards, the National Film Authority (NFA) announced plans to provide further development support to two other writers who participated in the pitching competition to help nurture their creative potential.
The festival also recognised completed films, with Aburokyire Abroad, directed by Kimberly Agyarko Obeng and represented at the ceremony by Nana Farm, taking first prize.
Addressing the gathering, the EU Ambassador to Ghana, Rune Skinnebach, said the festival had brought Ghanaian and European filmmakers closer through creativity, knowledge-sharing and the exploration of stories that transcended national boundaries.
He said the seven-day event had enabled participants to discover new perspectives, exchange ideas and explore opportunities for talent development and international collaboration.
Amb. Skinnebach said the festival’s theme was particularly relevant in the current global environment, where peace, tolerance and inclusivity remained important values.
Although films could not solve every problem, he said, they could help audiences move beyond stereotypes, listen to unfamiliar voices and recognise their shared humanity.
He also commended the filmmakers, emerging talents who pitched their projects at the EU Ghana Pitch Café, festival organisers, partners and volunteers for contributing to the success of the event.
The Executive Secretary of the National Film Authority, Kafui Danku-Pitcher, congratulated the organisers and participants in the pitching competition, particularly the writers who demonstrated the courage to present their ideas for consideration.
She expressed optimism that the projects would develop beyond the competition and encouraged the writers to continue working towards bringing their stories to audiences.
Madam Danku-Pitcher also expressed appreciation to President John Dramani Mahama for his continued support for Ghana’s film industry, saying such support strengthened efforts to create opportunities for practitioners.
Beyond the film screenings, the festival featured masterclasses and panel discussions that brought together industry professionals to share knowledge and experience on different aspects of filmmaking.
Sessions covered the role of sound in listening and storytelling, animation education and storytelling for young people, the possibilities of vertical filmmaking, and the contribution of costume, makeup and appearance to character development and representation.
Participants also explored intellectual property protection in the audiovisual industry, an area considered important for protecting creative works and supporting the commercial development of the film sector.
The festival was organised to strengthen cultural diplomacy through the creative arts, using cinema as a platform to deepen relations between Ghana and Europe while creating opportunities for filmmakers to exchange ideas, develop skills and explore partnerships.
The closing ceremony climaxed with a film screening, bringing the week-long programme of cinematic exhibitions, professional engagements and cultural exchange to an end.
The organisers expressed hope that the connections established during the festival would lead to further collaboration and provide Ghanaian filmmakers with greater opportunities to develop their stories and reach international audiences.
