This July, the city of Accra will host a major creative economy program launch for filmmakers under the auspices of the African Creative Television.
Developed and led by Dorina Amina Abubakar, a Ghanaian-British producer, film programmer and creative industries strategist, the 2026 Ghana Creative Economy Initiative will convene international filmmakers, investors and technology firms for a directing workshop focused on the creative economy and professional networking.
Speaking ahead of the event, Abubakar said Africa possesses extraordinary filmmaking talent, but elevating creatives requires developing globally competitive projects and building pathways to investment and international collaboration.
“As a Ghanaian, I have seen firsthand that Ghana has all the ingredients to become a leading creative economy hub.This initiative is about bringing together the people, ideas and partnerships that can help accelerate that future. This is more than a one-off summit or event.” she said. “It is a platform for long-term collaboration between global experts and African creators, industry leaders, technology companies, investors and institutions. We want creatives to leave not only inspired, but better connected, better equipped and better positioned to compete on the global stage.”
The program features African talent including Nicole Amarteifio, Maame Adjei, Princess Nkrumah, Gene Adu, Judith Audu, Uyoyou Adia, Adeniyi Joseph Omobulejo, Precious Okpala, Brian Munene, Likarion Wainaina, Mkamzee Mwatela, Louiza Wanjiku, Phuthi Nakene, Vivek Mehta, Nomusa Nzima and Athi Petela.
The event follows a three-point structure. It begins with an intensive Directing Lab for directors and producers, followed by a public masterclass for Ghanaian creatives, and ends with a Creative Economy Summit for investors and creators.
From July 14 to 23, the Directing Lab will host eight teams of directors and producers from Nigeria, Kenya and South Africa for a 10-day workshop. Sessions will cover new directing methodologies, visual storytelling, on-set leadership and producer-director collaboration. The workshop ends with a live production day. Participating directors must have credits on films available on Netflix, Showmax or Amazon Prime.
The Directing Lab will be led by television director Rachel Raimist, whose credits include Elsbeth, Bel-Air, Queen Sugar and CSI: Vegas, alongside award-winning writer, producer and creator Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, known for creating the CBS drama S.W.A.T. and for his work on Friday Night Lights, The Get Down and Sleepy Hollow.
From July 20 to 24, public masterclasses will take place at venues including Google Accra, Silverbird Cinemas, Akuna Pod and the American Spaces Library. These sessions, led by Quan Phung, Paul Garnes and Sidra Smith, will cover development, pitching, packaging, micro-dramas, mobile cinema and pathways to market. The masterclasses are open to Ghanaian filmmakers, producers, writers and emerging media professionals.
The centrepiece of the program is the Creative Economy Summit on July 22 at Google Accra. The summit will bring together filmmakers, investors, technology companies, corporate leaders, and cultural institutions to discuss how storytelling, digital innovation and strategic investment can accelerate Ghana’s creative economy.
Supporting organizations include Google, Akuna Group, MultiChoice (a Canal+ Company), MTN, AfroFuture, The Black Star Experience, Ghana Tourism Authority, Ghana’s National Film Authority, Sahihi Africa and Global Media Alliance.