The Jury

Jim Fara Awindor

Head of Jury

Jim Fara Awindor

JIM FARA AWINDOR is President of the Ghana Academy of Film and Television Arts (GAFTA) and Dean of the School of Communications at the African University of Communications and Business (AUCB). A Fulbright scholar, researcher, and filmmaker, he has worked extensively as a television producer-director and film director, producing both fiction and non-fiction films. His works have received several awards, including international Grand Prix and Gold Awards, in Lausanne and Berlin, respectively. Fara has nearly three decades of experience teaching film and television courses at several institutions, including the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI), now part of the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC-IFT); the University of Cape Coast; Central University; and New York University’s Accra campus. He has also served on the juries of two international awards: the German Humboldt Prize for science films and the Japan Prize. Fara holds an MFA in Film Production (USA) and a PhD in Endogenous Communication and Development (Ghana).

Veronica Nai

Assistant Head of Jury

Veronica Nai

Veronica Nai is a pioneering film director, producer and screenwriter who has left an indelible mark on Ghana’s cinematic landscape. With a career spanning over three decades, Veronica Nai has been instrumental in challenging traditional narratives and redefining the roles of women in Ghanaian storytelling. Her contributions to Ghanaian cinema are a testament to her dedication, passion, and innovative spirit. One of her most significant contributions to Ghanaian cinema is her portrayal of strong, empowered women who own their space and drive the narrative. Her films have been credited with helping to shift the narrative of women in Ghanaian storytelling from one of obscurity and stereotyping to one of agency and complexity.

Veronica Nai’s journey in film began with her graduation from the prestigious National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) in 1992, where she majored in Film Directing. She won the award for Best Directing with her graduating student film, “Action Plan” (1992) at the NAFTI Student Film Festival in 1992.

Her early work, including her first commercial film “Twin Lovers” (1994), showcased her talent and vision. This was followed by a string of successful films, including “Tears of Joy” (1995), “Come Back Lucy” (1996), “A Stab in the Dark” (1999), and “Ripples” (2000). These works have not gone unnoticed. She has won numerous awards for her films, including the Best Student Directing Award at NAFTI in 1992, and Best Film Directing Awards at the Ghana Film Awards in 2001 and 2002.

Apart from numerous commercial film projects, Veronica Nai has also collaborated with governmental and non-governmental institutions such as Danida, Department of Feeder Roads, World Bank, the Ghana Revenue Authority (GRA), TV Africa, Film Africa Limited, on a number of film projects. Her legacy as a trailblazer in Ghanaian cinema continues to inspire a new generation of filmmakers.