Eric Abrefa Stars in Acclaimed Short Film Locked-IN
Eric Kofi Abrefa stars in and executive produces on the short film Locked-IN (also styled Locked In), which received its worldwide free release on YouTube on 31 August 2026.
Filmed in 2021 and running just over 11 minutes, the film follows two friends, Mike (Eric Kofi Abrefa) and Kwesi (Kwame Augustine), as they travel to Ghana in search of new opportunities. En route to closing a lucrative land deal, they face a series of challenges that test their plans, their trust in each other, and the deeper reasons that brought them “home.” Beneath the surface of what appears to be an adventure story lies a sharper examination of neocolonialism as it plays out through the diaspora asking who benefits, who is used, and what the true cost of “coming home” can be.
Locked-IN was co-created by Eric Kofi Abrefa and Kwame Augustine, written by Augustine, and directed by Stephanie Boateng. It was produced by Bunk Bed & Sofa Productions, with Abrefa also serving as executive producer alongside Augustine and Boateng. The film features strong supporting work and technical contributions, including cinematography by Joy Williams, editing by Eddie Palayblay, and a score by Tito Gomes.
The short has enjoyed a solid festival run, including official selection at events such as the Tampere Film Festival (one of Europe’s oldest and largest short film festivals and an Oscar- and BAFTA-qualifying event) and the London Short Film Festival. It has accumulated multiple nominations. A 2022 review praised the chemistry between Abrefa and Augustine, noting the film’s blend of humour, character work, and underlying themes, and describing it as “funny, clever, entertaining and leaves you wanting more.”
Co-creator and writer Kwame Augustine said: “We wanted to tell a story that looks like an adventure and lands like a reckoning. Locked-IN asks what exploitation looks like when it wears a familiar face, and we are proud to finally share it with the world.” The free global release on YouTube makes the film accessible to audiences everywhere for the first time.
