National Film Authority

What National Film Authority does

The National Film Authority (NFA) is the Government of Ghana's statutory regulator for the film industry, established in December 2019 under the Development and Classification of Film Act 935. Mandated to regulate, license, classify, and develop Ghana's film ecosystem, NFA requires all film producers, studios, exhibitors, distributors, television broadcasters, rental operators, and VOD streaming platforms to obtain category-based licences (subcategories A1 Premium through D) before operating in Ghana. The agency also enforces mandatory content classification, assigning age-based ratings (Universal, Parental Guidance, 12+, 15+, 18+, NS) to all audio-visual content prior to public exhibition, with a new May 1, 2025 requirement that only licensed producers may access the classification process.

NFA's revenue model is fee-based but heavily subsidized by government appropriations. Direct revenue streams include Film Production Permits (GHC 200 local / $100 foreign), Film Work Permits ($100 per foreign cast/crew per production), licensing fees by category, and content registration/classification fees. The agency operates from a single headquarters in Accra and processes applications through Google Forms-based online portals and in-person office visits. With roughly 20 employees, NFA is a small regulatory body whose direct revenue capture is modest relative to its industry-development mandate.

Beyond core regulation, NFA is the convening body for Ghana's film industry ecosystem, organizing flagship events including the annual Africa Cinema Summit (launched November 2023, second edition October 2024), Ghana Cinema Week, and NFA Meets stakeholder forums. The 'Shoot in Ghana' campaign attracts international productions — anchored by 2024's 20% tax rebate policy announced by President Nana Akufo-Addo — and has secured major wins including Netflix's Aníkúlápó Season 2 (200+ Ghanaian cast/crew) and the NFL Super Bowl 'Born to Play' ad (500M+ views). Strategic distribution partnerships span VOX Cinemas (Middle East), Silverbird Cinemas (West Africa), and FilmHouse Group (Nigeria), and the agency has partnered with World Bank, the French Embassy, and the International Writers Lab for capacity-building programs. Under new leadership (Executive Secretary Kafui Danku-Pitcher; Governing Board Chairperson Ivan Quashigah, both 2025), NFA has set a public target to engage 1% of Ghana's population (350,000 people) in the film sector.

Name

National Film Authority

Legal name

National Film Authority

Website

https://nfa.gov.gh

Company type

Private

Founded year

2019

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

National Film Authority (NFA) is the Government of Ghana's statutory regulator for the film industry, established in 2019 under Act 935. It licenses, classifies, and permits all film practitioners domestically while running the Shoot in Ghana campaign and Africa Cinema Summit to attract international productions.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Film Industry Regulation

NAICS

Regulation, Licensing, and Inspection of Miscellaneous Commercial Sectors (926150)

SIC

Services-Motion Picture Theaters (7830)

akta.pro primary industry

Royalty, Reporting & Revenue Share Administration (MPADALAJ)

Keywords

• Film industry regulation
• Film licensing services
• Film content classification
• Film production permits
• Audio-visual content registration

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Licensing Fees: The NFA issues various categories of licences to film practitioners including Film Production Company/Producer, Film Studio, Film Exhibitor, Film Distributor/Marketer, Television Broadcaster, Film Rental Company, and VOD Streaming Platform. Each licence category has subcategories (A1 Premium, A1, A, B, C, D) determining the type of licence issued based on qualifications and experience.
2. Film Production Permit Fees: Fees charged for film production permits - Local Production Ghc 200, Foreign Production $100. Additional permits may be required for specific locations ('Permits within Permit') and drone filming (through Ghana Civil Aviation Authority).
3. Film Work Permit Fees: Film Work Permit fees for foreign nationals working on film productions in Ghana - $100 per foreign cast or crew per production. Foreign nationals resident in Ghana may apply for annual Film Work Permit.
4. Content Registration and Classification Fees: Fees for registering audiovisual content and obtaining film classification certificates. Right owners submit content for classification before public exhibition.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The National Film Authority (NFA) is the Government of Ghana's regulatory body for the film industry, established under the Development and Classification of Film Act, 2016 (Act 935). It issues film licences to producers, studios, exhibitors, distributors, broadcasters and rental operators; classifies audio-visual content for public exhibition; and processes film production permits and work permits for local and foreign productions. The Authority also runs industry development initiatives such as the Africa Cinema Summit, Ghana Cinema Week and the Shoot in Ghana campaign to position Ghana as a premier African filming destination.

Product overview

The National Film Authority operates as a regulatory body for Ghana's film industry under Development and Classification of Film Act 935, offering a portfolio of interconnected services centered on film regulation and industry development. Core regulatory products include Film Classification (rating audio-visual content), Audio-visual Content Registration, Film Licences (for producers, studios, exhibitors, distributors, broadcasters), Film Accreditation (for institutions, guilds, events), and various permit services (Film Production Permits, Film Work Permits). Industry development initiatives include the Africa Cinema Summit (annual continental cinema event), Ghana Cinema Week (showcasing local content), NFA Meets (stakeholder forums), the Shoot in Ghana campaign (attracting international productions), and the Presidential Film Pitch Series. All services operate through the regulatory framework established under Act 935, with fees varying by licence category and permit type.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Africa Cinema Summit: Annual summit bringing together film industry stakeholders from across Africa to discuss cinema development and collaboration.
• Ghana Cinema Week
• NFA Meets
• Shoot in Ghana

Products and services

• Film Classification A regulatory service that examines and classifies audio-visual content (feature films, short films, TV series, documentaries, advertisements, music videos) for public exhibition in Ghana, assigning age-based ratings such as Universal, Parental Guidance, 12+, 15+, 18+, or NS to ensure conformity to national moral and cultural standards.
• Audio-visual Content Registration Service enabling right owners or rights holders to register their audio-visual content with the National Film Authority in accordance with the Development and Classification of Film Act 935.
• Film Licences Licensing services for film industry practitioners including Film Production Companies/Producers, Film Studios, Film Exhibitors, Film Distributors/Marketers, Television Broadcasters, Film Rental Companies, and VOD Streaming Platforms, with subcategories (A1 Premium, A1, A, B, C, D) based on qualifications and experience.
• Film Accreditation Accreditation service for film institutions, guilds and associations, film educational programs, film events, and film practitioners to ensure standards of quality and continual improvement in the film industry.
• Film Production Permit Permit required for filming in Ghana, covering feature films, short films, TV series, documentaries, music videos, and television commercials; fees of GHC 200 for local production and $100 for foreign production.
• Film Work Permit Permit for foreign nationals working on film productions in Ghana, with annual permits available for foreign residents and per-production fees of $100 per foreign cast or crew.
• Africa Cinema Summit Annual continental cinema summit organized by NFA in partnership with Silverbird Cinemas and FilmHouse Group, bringing together film authorities, filmmakers, cinema investors, and stakeholders to address cinema infrastructure gaps and promote African film industry growth.
• Ghana Cinema Week Annual event showcasing Ghanaian filmmakers' works and promoting cinema-going culture in Ghana, organized in collaboration with Afrocinemaplus.
• NFA Meets Stakeholder engagement forum for film guilds, associations, and industry practitioners to discuss industry development and regulatory matters.
• Presidential Film Pitch Series Pitch competition showcasing Ghanaian film projects with potential for investment and production support.

Quantifiable outcome

• 500 million views for NFL Super Bowl ad 'Born to Play' shot in Ghana by TD Afrique Films
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

14 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• Idris ElbaflagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2024Golden Globe winner and chairman of IE7 and The Akuna Group headlined Africa Cinema Summit 2024. Emphasis on African storytelling and cinema ecosystem development.
• Fiona Lamptey (Juno Studios)flagshipGTM or Marketing Partner · 30 September 2024Former Netflix executive and co-founder of Juno Studios joined top billing at Africa Cinema Summit 2024.
• Kunle Afolayan / NetflixflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 18 September 2024Renowned Nigerian filmmaker shooting Netflix series Aníkúlápó Season 2 in Ghana. Over 200 Ghanaian talents employed. KAP Academy has trained over 10,000 students across Africa.
• Silverbird CinemasflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 June 2024Strategic partner for Africa Cinema Summit and Ghana Cinema Week. Country Manager Funmi Onuma serves on the executive steering committee. Pledged to incorporate local snacks into cinema foods in Ghana.
• FilmHouse Group / Nile Media Entertainment GroupflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 November 2023Co-founder and former Group Managing Director Moses Babatope serves on the executive steering committee. Committed to distributing Ghanaian films across Nigeria and partner nations. Organizing partner for inaugural Africa Cinema Summit.
• International Writers Lab (IWL)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2023Partnership with IWL accelerator program to showcase Ghana film industry to Hollywood studios and streamers. Three Ghanaian fellows selected for 16-week program with mentorship from Hollywood writers, agents, and studio executives.
• PMF Media GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2023Founded by Pauline Fischer (former Netflix executive). Creator of IWL accelerator program combining writers lab, mentorship, and pitch-fest for African writers.
• VentureLift AfricacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2023Co-founder of IWL. Helps African companies grow through connections with economic partners, focusing on Diaspora. Media and entertainment efforts engage film, TV, gaming sectors.
• The Blackhouse FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 July 2023Co-founder of IWL supporting African episodic writers through partnership with StoryBoard Collective and Realness Institute.
• Gobelins Paris / French Embassy / European UnionminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 May 2023Partnership to host first off-site Gobelins Summer School in 3D Character Animation in Accra. Tuition fees 90% sponsored by French Embassy and EU delegation.
• Icon ManncoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 April 2023Africa 2 America round table sessions partnering to place Ghana in Hollywood for bilateral exchange. CEO Juliet Asante participated as African delegate at Icon Mann awards week in USA.
• Annecy International Animation Film FestivalminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 27 March 2023Five Ghanaian animation studios selected to exhibit and pitch at Annecy Festival 2023 in France through MIFA Campus International Talents workshop partnership with French Embassy.
• VOX CinemascoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 26 October 2022Strategic partnership to distribute and show Ghanaian films in cinemas across the Middle East. First Ghanaian film 'Single Not Searching' premiered in Deira Mall, Dubai on November 3, 2022.
• Pixel Ray Studios LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 June 2022Landmark partnership signed at Africon in Los Angeles to construct full-service world-class film studio in Ghana, West Africa.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• British Film Institute (BFI): UK's lead organization for film, combining funding, regulation, heritage preservation, and education. Broad incumbent with a wider portfolio than NFA's regulatory focus, but comparable in mission to develop and steward national film culture and infrastructure.
• Centre national du cinéma et de l'image animée (CNC): France's national film regulator and funding body overseeing cinema policy, production support, and distribution regulation. Broad incumbent established model for state-led film industry development and a potential reference framework for African film commissions.

Direct peers

• Tanzania Film Board: Tanzania's national film regulatory body handling film classification, censorship, and licensing. Direct peer as an East African national authority with comparable regulatory scope and a neighbouring competitor for international productions.
• National Film Board of Canada (NFB): Canadian government agency that produces and distributes films as a public-sector national film organization. Direct peer as a publicly funded national film body, though with a production-distribution focus rather than purely regulatory.
• National Film and Video Foundation of South Africa (NFVF): South African government agency tasked with developing and promoting the film industry. Direct peer as a national agency combining industry development and producer support, complementary to the more regulatory-focused FPB in the same market.
• Kenya Film Commission: Kenya's national film commission focused on promoting Kenya as a filming destination and supporting local film industry growth. Direct peer in industry development mandate, complementary to KFCB's regulatory role.
• South African Film and Publication Board (FPB): South Africa's national film classification and content regulation body. Direct peer as an African national authority handling film classification, licensing, and content standards enforcement with comparable mandate scope.
• Kenya Film Classification Board (KFCB): Kenya's statutory body responsible for film classification and licensing. Direct peer as an East African national film regulator with a similar mandate for content classification and exhibition regulation.
• National Film and Video Censors Board of Nigeria (NFVCB): Nigeria's federal agency responsible for film and video censorship, classification, and licensing. Most direct peer as a fellow West African national film regulator operating under a similar statutory mandate to license, classify, and regulate the film industry, and a key competing destination for international productions.
• Nigeria Film Corporation: Nigerian federal film production and development corporation. Direct peer as a West African state-owned film industry entity with both production and development mandates, and a competitor for film ecosystem leadership.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nfaghana
• Facebookfacebook.com/NationalFilmAuthorityGhana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nfagh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about National Film Authority