Ghanaian casting director Mawuko Kuadzi, CEO of MK Casting, has won Best International Feature at the 41st Artios Awards, reinforcing Africa’s rising authority in global creative industries.

The awards ceremony took place on 26 February 2026 at The Edison Ballroom in New York, with simultaneous events at The Beverly Hilton in Los Angeles and One Moorgate Place in London. Kuadzi prevailed over strong international contenders, including Japan’s Masunobu Motokawa for Kokuho and Berlin’s Karimah El-Giamal for Sound of Falling, for his casting work on The Fisherman. 

The win positions Ghana among the world’s most respected creative markets.

Organised annually by the Casting Society of America (CSA), the Artios Awards honor excellence in casting across film, television, theatre, and commercials. This marks Kuadzi’s second consecutive Artios win.

 Last year, he made history as the first African to ever receive an Artios Award, taking home Best Casting for a Commercial for the NFL Super Bowl production Born to Play. That victory carried symbolic weight across the continent.

In his acceptance speech, Kuadzi expressed gratitude to the CSA and the film’s creative team:

"I am deeply grateful to the Almighty God for this award. Thank you to the Casting Society and the Artios Awards Committee for this honor. Thank you to all the members who voted for me. 

“Thank you to the Director of The Fisherman, Zoey Martinson, and the entire cast and crew. God bless everyone who continues to open this platform to voices from every part of the world. Your commitment to excellence and inclusivity gives professionals like me, working far from traditional industry centers, the opportunity to stand on a truly global stage."

He added: "If you put in the effort, remain faithful to your craft, and commit fully to excellence, even from the most remote corner of the world, your work can travel. The world will take notice."

Kuadzi’s first Artios win sparked widespread recognition across Africa, including courtesy visits to African embassies in Ghana and a reception at the United States Embassy in Accra, highlighting the cultural and diplomatic significance of the achievement. 

This year’s victory has already generated congratulations from industry leaders, filmmakers, actors, and young creatives across Africa, Europe, and the Americas.

Nana Dwomoh-Doyen Benjamin, President of the African Chamber of Content Producers, hailed Kuadzi’s achievement as a continental milestone:

"Mawuko’s achievement confirms that African storytelling is not peripheral to global cinema. He has set a benchmark. Young creatives across the continent can now see that excellence is rewarded and that authenticity has value on the world stage."

 The Fisherman, which earned Kuadzi his latest Artios win, had previously won Best Ghanaian Film at the REFFA Awards and secured the Lead Actor prize for Best Actor in Africa. The Artios recognition now solidifies the film’s global standing.

With upcoming projects in 2026—including Kismet in Nigeria, Echoes of Unity in Uganda, and the Africa Monologue Challenge in Ivory Coast—Kuadzi continues to raise the bar for African casting and production. His back-to-back Artios wins showcase that disciplined, visionary African creativity commands respect on the world’s most prestigious stage