The National Film Authority (NFA) has officially opened applications for the GH¢20 million Film Development Fund (FDF), offering financial grants to support and elevate the Ghanaian film industry.
Established under Section 29 of the Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016 (Act 935), the film fund will provides capital to filmmakers, producers, distributors, and cinema developers. It aims to finance film projects, theatre arts, and job creation across the creative filmmaking ecosystem.
According to the NFA, the fund is financed through government budgetary allocations, grants and donations, service charges, industry contributions, and strategic partnerships. The board states that the funding operates on a revolving basis: financing is disbursed to successful applicants’ projects, recovered after the projects generate revenue or on other agreed terms, and then reinvested to support future applicants.
Applicants must be registered with the Ghana Revenue Authority, hold a valid Tax Identification Number (TIN), and be tax compliant. Deadline for application is 31st August 2026.
The fund operates under 10 windows. Applicants will be assessed according to the provisional criteria for each window.
Development Funding
This window covers research in cinema and the arts, proof-of-concept projects, project packaging, story development, and scriptwriting. Eligible applicants include writers, producers, and creative entrepreneurs.
Production Funding
Support is available for quality Ghanaian animations, games, television series, feature films, and documentaries. Film production houses, directors, and animators may apply.
Distribution and Marketing
This window finances distribution and marketing strategies, including publicity campaigns, cinema releases, film festival participation, digital distribution, subtitling, and language dubbing to help Ghanaian films reach wider audiences. Producers, distributors, sale agents, and production companies can apply.
Cinema Infrastructure
Cinema Operators can apply for assistance to establish new cinema centres, refurbish existing or abandoned cinemas, and purchase state-of-the-art equipment for high-definition viewing experiences across the country. Investors, PPPs, exhibition companies and cinema developers can apply.
Training and Capacity Development
Educational institutions, industry associations, and training providers can seek funding for workshops, masterclasses, apprenticeships, scholarships, fellowships, conferences, mentorship programmes, and professional certification, under this window.
Research and Innovation
This window supports audience studies, market intelligence, virtual production, AI animation, gaming and technology, and industry research. Research institutions, universities, production companies, and tech firms are eligible for application.
International Co-productions
Ghanaian producers, creative entrepreneurs, and international partners can apply for support related to international production projects, export promotion, market access, and treaty co-productions.
Strategic Industry Projects
National heritage productions, cultural diplomacy initiatives, and national campaign projects may receive funding. Only corporations, private companies, and entities approved by the board are eligible.
Public Education and Behaviour Change
Producers, NGOs, broadcasters, and production companies can apply for support to produce public education films, health campaigns, civic education content, and social behaviour change communications, in line with Act 935.
Regional Development and Inclusion
This window supports regional productions, indigenous language content, youth-focused projects, and work in underserved communities. Regional filmmakers, community organisations, youth groups, and women-led enterprises may apply.