The powerful environmental documentary ATEWA has taken the spotlight at this year’s Accra Indie Film Festival (AIFF 2025), winning the coveted award for Best Documentary.
Produced by Edem Srem and directed by Richardson Daniel, the film captures the urgency of protecting the Atewa Forest — one of Ghana’s last remaining upland evergreen forests, home to extraordinary biodiversity and the source of clean water for over five million people.
A Story of People and Nature
ATEWA follows the journey of campaigners, scientists, and local communities who are standing up against mining threats to safeguard the forest. This powerful documentary captures the unwavering resistance of a local community against government forces and international investors. Their mission? To stop the transformation of their precious forest and water bodies into a bauxite mine and to push for the forest to be made a National Park.
Through stunning visuals and deeply personal stories, the film highlights not only the ecological importance of Atewa but also the human determination to see it protected for future generations.
A Special Pre-Festival Screening
Ahead of the awards night, ATEWA was screened at Alliance Française in Accra on August 6, 2025. The special showing drew together people from diverse backgrounds — students, policymakers, activists, faith leaders, and members of the general public — all eager to engage with the story of Atewa.
The screening sparked heartfelt reactions:
“I never knew Atewa was this important. Watching this makes me feel responsible to speak up,” said a university student in attendance.
“The film brought tears to my eyes. This is not just about a forest; it’s about our future,” shared a civil society participant.
“Seeing the courage of the communities fighting for Atewa inspires me. It shows that ordinary people can stand up against powerful forces,” remarked an audience member from the creative arts sector.
The strong response at Alliance Française reflected the film’s ability to transcend environmental advocacy and touch people at a deeply personal level.
A Win Beyond the Screen
Receiving the Best Film award, Edem Srem, producer of the film, dedicated the honor to the communities of Atewa and to every Ghanaian fighting for the forest’s survival.
According to Srem, “This award is not just for the film, but for the people and nature of Atewa. It affirms that our story resonates beyond borders, inspiring action for conservation and justice.”
“We produced Atewa because we don’t want the forest to be mined for bauxite. It was supposed to be given to a Chinese company for $2 billion, but the forest holds more than $2 billion if it is turned into a National Park,” he added.
For the producers of the documentary, this recognition is more than cinematic success; it is a moment that amplifies the call for Atewa Forest to be permanently protected as a National Park and potentially recognized as a World Heritage Site.
Why This Matters
The Atewa Forest is a natural treasure. Beyond being a biodiversity hotspot, home to rare and endemic species, it provides essential water sources to millions, sustains livelihoods, and safeguards cultural heritage.
Ghana’s Atewa Forest is home to more than 1,000 species of plants, 230 species of birds, 570 butterfly species, and at least 50 species of mammals. It is a Key Biodiversity Area, meaning that it is critical to the persistence of global biodiversity and the overall health of the planet.
Winning Best Film at AIFF 2025, coupled with the planned September premiere, places Atewa’s story on a global stage, reminding us all that the fight for environmental justice concerns every person who values life, nature, and a sustainable future.