A journey that began with young people being given an opportunity to learn filmmaking through the Ghana YMCA has reached another remarkable milestone.
Sesime, directed by Eunice Dake, co-written by Dake and Goddy Nana Mens, and produced by Mens, has won Overall Best Film at the 2026 Black Star International Film Festival (BSIFF). The film also won the Ghanaian Showcase category.For the Ghana YMCA, the achievement represents far more than two new awards.
It is evidence of what sustained investment in young people can become.
Two Generations, One Film
Goddy Nana Mens emerged from the first generation of beneficiaries of Ghana YMCA’s filmmaking interventions. From beneficiary, he progressed into filmmaking and subsequently became a trainer, helping other young people acquire the skills and opportunities that had helped shape his own journey.
Eunice Dake represents a second generation of that investment. She entered the YMCA filmmaking programme as a beneficiary, developed her craft and subsequently became a trainer herself.
Eventually, those two generations became creative collaborators.
Together, Eunice and Goddy co-wrote Sesime. Eunice directed the film, while Goddy produced it.
The Ghana YMCA also connected the filmmakers to the YWCA-YMCA Sweden Fund for Youth and Peace, through which the production received funding.
The result is a powerful illustration of the multiplier effect at the heart of YMCA youth development: beneficiaries becoming practitioners, practitioners becoming trainers, and different generations eventually meeting as collaborators capable of producing award-winning work.
Part of a Longer YMCA Film Legacy
Sesime does not stand alone.
Over the years, films and filmmakers emerging from Ghana YMCA’s filmmaking interventions have earned recognition on international festival stages.
Kwabena Eddie Mankata’s Picturing My Life won Best Film/Video by a Black Filmmaker at Black International Cinema Berlin in 2018. He followed it a year later with Carrying Dreams, which won the same category in 2019.
In 2019, Goddy Nana Mens’ Up in Alms won Best Documentary at the Emergence Film Festival in Togo, continuing the growing record of films emerging from the YMCA filmmaking ecosystem.
Then in 2020, Shakiru Akinyemi’s Life on the Road won Best Film/Video by a Black Filmmaker at Black International Cinema Berlin. The film formed part of MAKE A DIFFERENCE, itself embedded in the long-term filmmaking collaboration with Ghana YMCA.
These successes demonstrate a pattern: young people receiving opportunities to learn, creating films of their own, gaining international recognition and transferring their knowledge to others.
And Then Came Sesime
Sesime took that progression into feature filmmaking.
Director Eunice taking an actor through his lines.
The film tells the story of an ex-convict released through a presidential pardon who attempts to rebuild his life while confronting stigma and rejection. It explores reintegration, forgiveness, dignity and the possibility of a second chance.
Its success did not begin at BSIFF. In 2024, Sesime swept four awards at the Renaissance Film Festival. Now, two years later, it has added Ghanaian Showcase and Overall Best Film at BSIFF 2026. Behind those awards, however, is perhaps an even more important YMCA story. Goddy was given an opportunity. He became a trainer. Eunice was given an opportunity. She became a trainer. And today, the people who once received opportunities through the YMCA are themselves creating opportunities for the filmmakers coming after them. That is the story behind Sesime: from beneficiaries to trainers, from trainers to collaborators, and from opportunity to impact across generations.
Eunice Directing Crew on Sesime set.
Reflecting on the win, Eunice Dake, Director of Sesime, said, “Winning the Ghanaian Showcase and Overall Best Film awards at BSIFF 2026 for Sesime is deeply humbling. As a director, this recognition means that the story we poured our hearts into has truly connected with audiences. I am especially grateful to Ghana YMCA for believing in my journey as a director. This recognition belongs to God and the entire cast and crew of Sesime, who brought this vision to life. Sesime has sparked an important conversation about giving ex-convicts a second chance in our society, and I hope this recognition amplifies that message. I am grateful to BSIFF for this incredible honour.”
The Ghana YMCA congratulates Eunice Dake, Goddy Nana Mens, the cast and crew of Sesime and all the partners, trainers and young filmmakers who have contributed to building this filmmaking journey over the years.The victory belongs to the filmmakers. But it also demonstrates something the YMCA has believed for generations:
When young people are given the opportunity, skills and space to lead, the impact does not end with them.
