The National Film Authority (NFA) of Ghana has received nearly 100 applications for its Film Development Fund, seeking almost GH¢100 million, according to MyJoyOnline. Fifty-six applicants are currently pitching their projects in person to a panel of evaluators. These sessions began on Monday, 9 November, and conclude on Friday, 13 November 2026. The panel will finalize the list of projects eligible for the GH¢20 million seed fund based on these presentations and written submissions.
The combined project budgets amount to nearly GH¢1 billion, approximately fifty times the fund’s size. Kafui Danku-Pitcher, Executive Secretary of the NFA, told MyJoyOnline the response has been remarkable, noting the industry has waited for structured support. She emphasized that the selection process must be rigorous and fair, stating that selected filmmakers should move quickly to production rather than waiting on paperwork. Mawuko Afadzinu, Chairman of the Fund Management Committee, added that the committee views itself as stewards of a public resource, seeking projects with credible plans and clear routes to revenue.
Under the Film Development and Classification Act, 2016, the fund can cover up to 60 per cent of an eligible project’s budget. This structure leverages private investment, requiring applicants to raise the remaining funds. More than 66 per cent of applications target the Production Window, indicating strong demand for financing finished films. The fund is organized into ten windows, including five core areas like Distribution and Cinema Infrastructure, and five enabling areas such as Training and Regional Development. The NFA aims to disburse funds from late November into early December, allowing projects to begin execution before the year ends.
The fund’s launch addresses a significant gap in Ghana’s film industry, which has historically lacked permanent financing mechanisms and comprehensive data tracking. Industry commentators note that Ghana has fewer than 20 functional cinema screens for a population of over 33 million. To complement the funding, the NFA launched the Cinema Train Initiative on 31 October 2026. This program aims to widen access to cinema and create sustainable revenue for filmmakers by connecting them with communities across the country. Danku-Pitcher described the fund and the cinema initiative as two halves of one strategy, designed to finance stories and build the audiences to receive them. The NFA is now seeking partners from the corporate and financial sectors to expand the fund’s capital base.