Before You Say Action
100+ emerging filmmakers immersed in the critical craft of production — from planning to the first call of action.
01 — The Brain Behind REFFA
One Woman's Vision,
A Continent's Stage
Before REFFA was a festival, it was a conviction — Selassie Ibrahim's belief that Africa's storytellers deserved a stage as regal as their stories.
An actress and producer who has spent her career in front of and behind the camera, Selassie imagined a gold-standard platform where the continent's filmmakers would be celebrated, funded, and launched into the world. She named it the Regal Film Festival & Awards — and in 2025, her vision filled Accra with delegates from more than 21 nations.
Every screen lit, every award lifted, every career launched at REFFA carries her signature. This page — a window from selassieibrahim.com — celebrates the festival she created.
“Africa does not need permission to shine. It needs a stage.”
— The spirit of REFFA, by Selassie Ibrahim
