The much anticipated event was attended by Mrs. Samira Bawumia, the wife of Vice President Dr. Mahamadu Bawumia, as well as filmmakers and supporters from the continent and beyond.

Mrs. Bawumia pledged her continued support for the festival and encouraged filmmakers to continue telling stories from Ghana to catapult the nation to “where it is supposed to be”.

This year’s opening film is British crime-drama “Yardie”, a film based on a novel of the same name written by Victor Headley a Jamaican-born British author.

The film marks a directorial debut for actor Idris Elba , a British born actor with Ghanaian and Sierra Leonean decent.

The festival will continue until the Friday 18th of August 2018, with events ranging from daily film screenings, to workshops and panel discussions.

BSIFF is a nonprofit organisation creating global connections through film and helping to bridge the gap between African cinema and the world.

It is a festival focused on the Business of film and advocacy in the region. Its goal is to create a platform where filmmakers can learn, network, do business and celebrate their craft within an African context.