South West: MINAC wants local stakeholders to accompany CAMIFF
The Director of Cinematography at the Ministry of Arts and Culture(MINAC), Prof. Fai Donaltus, urged filmmakers and subsidiary stakeholders to fully take advantage of the Cameroon International Film Festival, CAMIFF.
He made the clarion call at the behest of Minister Bidoung Kpwatt, MINAC, on April 21, in Buea during the opening ceremony of the ninth edition of Cameroon International Film Festival, CAMIFF. In attendance at the night were the South West Regional Delegate of Arts and Culture – Itoe Doris Angoula, D.O for Buea – Dr Abba Abdouraman, Head of Department for Performance and Visual Arts at the University of Buea – Prof. Taku Victor, amongst film-makers like Onyama Laura, Enow Bismarck, Mbeng Lilian, and other film lovers. The weeklong event was said to bring together filmmakers from over fifteen countries.
The MINAC representative, Prof. Fai, was appreciative of the will of the organisers, which had weathered the storm in almost a decade. He saluted their bravery and acknowledged their determination to revolutionise the Cameroon film space. The lecturer of theatre and drama, Prof. Fai, expressed distress as to what the Regional Assembly and Buea Council were doing to accompany the vision of arts nurtured through CAMIFF at their doorsteps.
“Here we are once again at that event, which the Mayor of Buea should take advantage of. Here we are at an event which the Regional Assembly should take advantage of …” Prof. Fai sustained.
Further regretted that the filmmakers and sponsors had not fully seized the opportunity. “I am yet to understand why all filmmakers in this country are not taking advantage of this singular platform. Why are the huge partners we have in this region not taking advantage of this cultural platform to make it bigger?” He wondered aloud. He then moved on to urge them to come on board and make the dream a reality faster.
CAMIFF, the Chinese Bamboo
The Divisional Officer of Buea, Abba Abdouraman, corroborated with Prof Fai and likened the future of CAMIFF to the anecdote of the Chinese bamboo. He assured that it will blossom to sky heights ultimately as organisers keep putting in the work. The civil administrator who officially opened the festival saluted the efforts of the organisers while encouraging them not to relent. He charged the filmmakers to tell stories that reflect the rich history, the complex present, and the valuable future of Cameroon. The opening night also featured the screening of the 2024 Nollywood film, “Conversations in Transit”.
Transformative innovations
In an earlier word of welcome, one of the CAMIFF executives, Chief Fred Takum, had announced that the ninth edition was special as during it, the entertainment Wall of Fame was to be unveiled. He highlighted that it marked a new epoch of recognition and celebration of significant contributions to the entertainment industry in Cameroon.
The opening night was one of red carpet moments and a spill of expectations which were sky-hitting. The rest of the week will be filled with acting, directing, cinematography and screenwriting masterclasses alongside workshops on digital marketing and film business and film projection. Nights of the festival will be animated with distinct parties ranging from white, cultural, and mask. It will be concluded with an award ceremony on April 26, 2025.
