Woman Crush Wednesday: Spotlight on Shirley Frimpong Manso

Shirley Frimpong Manso is a powerhouse in the Ghanaian movie industry, celebrated for her exceptional skills in scriptwriting, producing, and creative directing.

From a young age, Shirley showed interest in organising stage plays rather than playing with dolls, a passion that quickly evolved into a career path she discovered early in life.

In 2000, she graduated from the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and later worked as a presenter at Radio Gold before establishing her production company, Sparrow Productions, in 2003. The company specializes in film, television, and advertising.

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Shirley’s films are renowned for their fierce female leads, often portraying African women in bold and empowering roles.

Some of her popular films include ‘Life and Living It’, ‘Scorned’, ‘The Perfect Picture’, ‘A Sting in a Tale’, ‘Checkmate’, and ‘Potato Potahto’, which premiered on Netflix in 2019, and ‘Perfect Picture 10 Years Later’ that won award at the AMVCAs, among others.

Awards and Recognition

• Best Director of the Year – 6th Africa Movie Academy Awards (2010)

• A Sting in a Tale – Best Soundtrack, Africa Movie Academy Awards (2010)

• A Sting in a Tale – Audience Favorite-Narrative Feature, 18th Pan African Film & Arts

• Africa Magic Viewers’ Choice Awards (2014): Best Movie Director, Best Video Editor (with Hertey Owusu), Best Writer (Drama), and Best Movie (Contract)

• Film Director of the Year – Citi TV Entertainment Achievement Awards (2021)

PAT/EB