Categories
The categories of African excellence.
Core list · 2027–2028
Proposed core categories
- Full recordGAH-01Competitive
Best Picture / Best Film
The highest honour for an outstanding African film of the cycle.
- Full recordGAH-02Competitive
Best Director
Recognises exceptional directorial vision and execution.
- Full recordGAH-03Competitive
Best Actor in a Leading Role
Recognises an outstanding leading performance by an actor.
- Full recordGAH-04Competitive
Best Actress in a Leading Role
Recognises an outstanding leading performance by an actress.
- Full recordGAH-05Competitive
Best Supporting Actor
Recognises an outstanding supporting performance by an actor.
- Full recordGAH-06Competitive
Best Supporting Actress
Recognises an outstanding supporting performance by an actress.
- Full recordGAH-07Competitive
Best Screenplay
Recognises excellence in screenwriting.
- Full recordGAH-08Competitive
Best Cinematography
Recognises outstanding visual storytelling through the camera.
- Full recordGAH-09Competitive
Best Editing
Recognises excellence in film editing.
- Full recordGAH-10Competitive
Best Sound Design
Recognises outstanding sound design and mixing.
- Full recordGAH-11Competitive
Best Costume Design
Recognises costume design that strengthens character, period and cultural identity.
- Full recordGAH-12Competitive
Best Production Design
Recognises outstanding production design and art direction.
- Full recordGAH-13Competitive
Best Story
Recognises the strength and originality of the underlying story.
- Full recordGAH-14Competitive
Best New Talent
Recognises a breakthrough creative talent.
- Full recordGAH-15Competitive
Discovery Talent of the Year
Celebrates a newly discovered talent whose work signals Africa's creative future.
- Full recordGAH-16Competitive
Best Indigenous Language Film
Celebrates excellence in a film made primarily in an African indigenous language.
- Full recordGAH-17Honorary
Lifetime Achievement
Honours a lifetime of distinguished contribution to African creative industries.
- Full recordGAH-18Special recognition
Special Recognition Awards
Special recognitions approved by the authorised Golden Arc Honors governance structure.
Proposed future framework
The wider Pan-African framework
Categories across every creative discipline, identified as proposed. They require approval before any is officially announced.
- HON-01 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionGolden Arc Lifetime Achievement Award
- HON-02 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionGolden Arc Legend Award
- HON-03 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionPan-African Cultural Icon Award
- HON-04 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionOutstanding Contribution to African Cinema
- HON-05 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionOutstanding Contribution to African Fashion
- HON-06 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionOutstanding Contribution to African Music
- HON-07 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionOutstanding Contribution to African Arts and Culture
- HON-08 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionPan-African Creative Leadership Award
- HON-09 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionAfrican Cultural Heritage Preservation Award
- HON-10 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionAfrican Creative Industry Pioneer Award
- HON-11 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionDistinguished Humanitarian Contribution to the Arts
- HON-12 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionAfrican Creative Education and Mentorship Award
- HON-13 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionOutstanding Service to African Creative Industries
- HON-14 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionSpecial Recognition for Continental Unity
- HON-15 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionPosthumous Honorary Recognition
- HON-16 · Honorary & Distinguished RecognitionFounder's Special Recognition