Cameroon International Film Festival ends with awards to outstanding movies, filmmakers

The sixth edition of the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF), ended in Buea on Saturday, April 29, with awards to several outstanding movies and persons, including distinguished Cameroonian Actress, Stephanie Tum.

She received the Best Cameroonian Actress Award for her role in the recently-released Cameroonian film, “When the Levees Broke”.

The film directed by Musing Derick also won the Best Screenplay Award at CAMIFF.

Meanwhile, the Best Cameroonian film went to “The Planter’s Plantation”, an attention-grabbing movie featuring renowned Nollywood Actor, Nkem Owoh (aka Ukwa).

The Best Cameroonian Actor award was offered to Duala Duala; Best Cameroonian Short Film was “Dibumbe”; Best Cameroonian Film Director was Nkeng Stephen; and Best Online Content Creator was “Aunty Felicia”, a character played by Cameroonian comedian Kwoh Elonge.

Several persons received special recognition, among them the former South West Regional Delegate for Arts and Culture, Grace Ngoh Ewang, who was recognised for her contribution to arts and culture in the Region.

The Life Time Achievement Award was handed to the popular veteran actor Vugar Sampson Vibimi, while the Fallen Hero Award went to young Cameroonian filmmaker, Ayukachem Stephen Agbor, who died this April.

Special recognitions were also given to Prince Enobi Mykel and Souleyman Penda, while Tchegnebe Jean De Dieu received the Honorary Award.

The CAMIFF closing ceremony and award night was graced by several dignitaries, among them the Minister of Arts and Culture, Narcise Mouele Kombi; the Governor of the South West Region, Bernard Okalia Bilai; the Mayor of Buea, David Mafani Namange, the Divisional Officer, Abba Abdourahman, among others.

Stephanie Tum’s first award

The Best Actress award made much meaning to Stephanie Tum because it was her first ever award as an actress.

She took to her Facebook page to express her excitement and gratitude for the recognition.

“This is my first award as an Actress,” she said.

“I have won several awards as a producer but this means everything to me as acting is my first love and winning Best Cameroonian Actress at the Cameroon International Film Festival is the icing on the cake,” Stephanie Tum wrote.

She dedicated the award to her late mother, her children, her family, and online fans who have stood by her.

Foreign films grab prestigious awards

Dozens of foreign movies were submitted at CAMIFF to compete in three categories.

The Best CAMIFF Feature Film award went to “Detective Knight: Rogue”, an American movie directed by Edward Drake.

Other awards included the Best Short Film Award won by the Canadian film, “Operation Lights Out”, while Best Documentary Film went to the Egyptian documentary film “Ikinji’s Stories”.

The Best Overall Actor award at CAMIFF was Haitian-American Actor, Jimmy Jean Louis, while Cameroonian, Actress Nimo Loveline, won Best Overall Actress for her role in the movie, “The Planter’s Plantation”.

By Tata Mbunwe