The AREEL Awards, presented by Acheampong Magazine, is an international annual cinema award ceremony held in Kumasi, Ghana. It aims to honor and celebrate filmmakers and projects with significant African content for their outstanding achievements in the film industry.
Over the years, the AREEL Awards have featured remarkable performances by talented casts, including actors such as Michael Ward, Jasmine Jobson, Prince Agortey, Benjamin Sarpong, Anna Roser, Bless Fortune, and Fiifi Neizer, among others. The event has also showcased visionary directors such as Anthony Nti, Tomisin Adepeju, Amartei Arma, Joseph Akwasi, Carl Earl-Ocran, Johannes Krug, Jumic Anderson, Peter Sedufia, and Pascal Aka.
The AREEL Award Statuette symbolizes artistic excellence, represented by the founder’s name with the letter “A” intersected by a film reel. It stands 11.25 inches tall, weighs 3.856 kg, and is made of Mica, Aluco, and Wood, produced by Acheampong Studios Ltd. in Kumasi, Ghana. The award is the property of Acheampong Studios Ltd. but remains in the care of the recipient or their next of kin. It may not be reproduced or used in any commercial manner without prior permission from AREEL.
VOTING & NOMINATIONS
The preliminary long list for the AREEL Shorts & Animation category is decided by the AREEL Film Committee, a jury of artists, filmmakers, and executives. The final shortlisted films have the chance to be nominated for an AREEL Award.
Each year, new membership is open for voting on nominees. Nominees are categorized for the AREEL Awards, and the resulting nominees and categories are announced. Winners, chosen by subsequent voting, are revealed at the annual AREEL Awards ceremony. All award winners receive an AREEL and a Winner’s Certificate.
AREEL Awards are also given out to safeguard the Ghana film industry and encourage better representation and inclusivity. Categories include “Best Actor of the Year,” “Best Actress of the Year,” “Best Picture,” “Mmoroma Award” (honoring a short local language film of pure Ghanaian descent focusing on societal issues), “Honorary Award” (given to distinguished icons for their immense contributions to the Ghana Cinema and Film Industry), and the “AREEL Rising Star Award” (honoring performers in the Ghanaian film industry who have shown outstanding talent on the big screen).
COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIP AND SPONSORSHIP
The AREEL Awards seek collaborative partnerships and sponsorships to expand their support and celebration of outstanding filmmakers with African content. They aim to recruit industry-wide support for this mission. Inquiries can be directed here.