Apply for Film Licence

The National Film Authority is the Authority mandated by the Development and Classification of Film Act 935 to regulate, streamline and develop the film industry in Ghana.

As part of the processes to regulate the ecosystem, the following practitioners are prohibited to operate unless they have been issued a renewable licence by the National Film Authority:

1. Film Production Company / Producer
2. Film Studio
3. Film Exhibitor
4. Film Distributor and Marketer
5. Television Broadcaster
6. Film Rental Company
7. VOD Streaming Platform / Film Library

Each licence category has subcategories that determines what type of licence can be issued to an applicant according to their level of qualifications.

For Instance:

(1) A film production company / producer applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film/TV Producers Licence’ ‘A1 Premium’, ‘A1’, ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘C’, or ‘D’ depending on his or her qualifications mainly based on level of practicing experience and other factors. Students producing audiovisual content for academic or other purposes may also apply for ‘Student Film/TV Producers Licence’

(2) A film studio applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film Studio Licence’ ‘A1 Premium’, ‘A1’, ‘A’, or ‘B’ depending on the nature of business, number of sound stages and other factors.

(3) A film exhibitor applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film Exhibitors Licence’ ‘A2’, ‘A1’, ‘A’, ‘B1’, ‘B’, ‘C’, ‘D1’ or ‘D’ depending on nature of the business, number of screens and other factors. Applicants who fall under the film exhibitor category includes: Cinema Operators, Movie Houses, Hotels, Restaurants, Pubs, Commercial Vehicles, Avant-Garde exhibitors (open air, schools, churches etc). A Television Broadcaster applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Television Broadcasters Licence.

(4) A film distributor and marketer applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film Distributors and Marketers Licence’ ‘A’, ‘B1-B16’, ‘C’, or ‘D’ depending on nature of the business, territories reached, importation and exportation of audiovisual content etc.

(5) A Film Equipment or Prop rental company applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film Rental Licence’

(6) A Film Library or VOD streaming platform operating from Ghana and applying for a licence may be issued a ‘Film Library/ Streaming Licence’

Kindly note that applications for some categories may require the following before the licence can be issued:

(a) Insurance : Film Studio, Film Exhibitors, Television Broadcasters
(b) Inspection: Film Studio, Film Exhibitors, Film Rentals, Television Broadcasters. (This shall come at additional fees).

Please note under Section 17 (Revocation or suspension of licence) of the Development and Classification of Film Act 935—The Authority shall revoke or suspend a licence if satisfied that
(a) the holder of the licence has contravened or failed to comply with the conditions of the licence;
(b) the holder of the licence has been convicted of an offence under this Act or under the Copyright
Act, 2005 (Act 690); or
(c) it is in the public interest to do so.

To apply for a licence, kindly click ‘next’ to fill the form below with the required information. The office will contact you through email and phone to confirm your application and issue you an invoice with the prescribed fees for payment based on your qualifying sub category.

Please email licence@nfa.gov.gh or info@nfa.gov.gh if you need any assistance.