Ghana’s Sci-Fi Film Breaks Barriers with Global Festival Nomination
Ghana’s film industry is experiencing a resurgence, with its latest achievement being the nomination of The B.A.T.U. Project: ADAM THE FIRST at the Miami International Science Fiction Film Festival (MiSciFi). This groundbreaking film, directed by Majeed Sayibu, marks Ghana’s first foray into the science fiction genre and has been nominated for the prestigious BEACON Award, putting Ghana on the global filmmaking map.
The B.A.T.U. Project: ADAM THE FIRST stars Agbeko “Bex” Mortty, Naa Ashorkor, Majeed Suhuyini, and Akorfa Edjeani as the Chairperson of the United African Federation. The story follows Adam (Bex), a man tasked with repopulating a new planet after an apocalyptic event on Earth. He faces a mysterious earth entity that threatens the survival of humanity on the new planet.
Shot on the scenic salt fields of Sege and the landscapes of Bolgatanga in Ghana, the film beautifully transforms these locations into an alien world, showcasing the country’s natural beauty while addressing themes of climate change, Afrofuturism, STEM, and space exploration. It’s a bold step for Ghanaian cinema, reflecting a desire to tell unique African stories on a global scale.
The nomination at MiSciFi is significant, as it positions Ghana as a competitor in the international science fiction scene. If The B.A.T.U. Project: ADAM THE FIRST wins the BEACON Award, Ghana will gain global recognition for its creative excellence in filmmaking. The awards ceremony is set for January 18-19, 2025, in Miami, Florida, USA.
This success builds on a recent wave of Ghanaian films making international strides, such as Shirley Frimpong-Manso’s Two of a Kind and Peter Sedufia’s One Night Guests. With The B.A.T.U. Project, Ghanaian filmmakers are demonstrating their ability to innovate and push boundaries in storytelling.