AREEL Awards - AREEL Shorts & Animation

AREEL Shorts & Animation is open to films under-40-minutes featuring African filmmakers and projects with significant African Content.

The AREEL is an Annual International Cinema Award event presented by Acheampong Magazine held in Kumasi, Ghana every March; to honor and celebrate African filmmakers and projects with significant African Content for their outstanding achievements. In its maiden edition, AREEL received over 57 entries, which were categorized into different award categories.

Additionally, throughout the year, AREEL host "AREEL Shorts & Animation" screenings and discussions to entertain the audience, facilitate networking, and generate funding to support young talents in kick-starting their filmmaking careers. The very first film we produced with this funding is “Victim – short film”.

To further support the development of young actor’s craft and branding, AREEL has established the “Actors Studio”, providing selected actors with opportunities to learn from top Casting Directors, Filmmakers, and industry executives.

Over the years, AREEL has hosted remarkable performances by talented casts, including actors like 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. It is represented by the name of the founder with the letter "A" intersected by a film reel. It stands 12 inches tall, and weighs of 8.5 lb. (3.856 kg) and is made out of iron and silver and produced by the Acheampong Studios Ltd. in Kumasi, Ghana. The award may not be reproduced or used in any commercial manner unless prior permission has been obtained from the AREEL. The AREEL award is the property of Acheampong Studios Ltd. but remains in the care of the recipient or his/her next of kin. Should the award leave the care of the recipient or his/her next of kin, AREEL reserves the right back. The award must not be sold on to any third party. Award winners unable to collect their AREEL on the night of the ceremony must arrange collection from the AREEL within 12 months of the event.

VOTING & NOMINATIONS

The preliminary long list for the AREEL Shorts & Animation is decided by the AREEL Film Committee. This member committee jury of Artists, Filmmakers and Executives pick the films after viewing the eligible submissions. The final shortlisted films stand the chance to be nominated for the AREEL.

Each year new membership is open to be available to vote on nominees. Nominees are set into categories for the AREEL and the resulting Nominees and Categories are announced. The winners chosen by subsequent voting are revealed at the Annual AREEL Awards. All individuals named as award winners will receive an AREEL and a Winner’s Certificate.