Kang Quintus’ Nganu wins top prize at Eko Film Festival in Nigeria

By Daniel D.

Cameroonian Producer and Actor, Kang Quintus, grabbed two awards at the Eko International Film Festival (EKOIFF) held in Lagos, Nigeria, from April 22 to 27.

The Producer of the famous Fisherman’s Diary movie won the Best Actor award for his remarkable performance, and his movie, ”Nganu,” received the prestigious award for Best Feature Film.

Following the accolades, Cameroon’s Ministry of Arts and Culture (MINAS) congratulated Quintus for his achievements, acknowledging the spotlight it has accorded the Cameroon Film Industry.

The EKOIFF, held in Lagos, Nigeria’s largest city, showcased the prowess of Cameroon’s film industry, outperforming many countries renowned for their cinematic excellence.

The festival featured various categories including animation films, indigenous films, feature movies, and feature documentaries.

Among stiff competition, Nganu emerged victorious as the Best Feature Film, surpassing entries from countries such as the USA, China, the Netherlands, Nigeria, and Morocco.

Nganu, with a runtime of 1 hour, 42 minutes, and 7 seconds, tells the story of an abusive husband advised by villagers to join the army, where he must confront his violent tendencies.

Kang Quintus, who produced and directed Nganu, was also celebrated as the Best Actor at the festival.

He competed and triumphed over actors from China, the USA, Nigeria, and Italy. Quintus is renowned for his work as the producer of Fisherman’s Diary, an award-winning 2020 movie that became Cameroon’s first movie to be bought by Netflix.

The movie, which features renowned Nollywood actor Ramsey Nouah, that advocates for the education of the girl child.

The Ministry of Arts and Culture expressed pride in Cameroon’s cinema industry, highlighting the country’s success on the international stage.

The annual Eko International Film Festival, founded by Hope Obioma Opara in 2009, aims to promote appreciation of arts and culture through cinematic arts and sciences, as well as to boost tourism in Nigeria.

Meanwhile, the EKOIFF coincided with the Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF), which took place in Buea, in the Southwest Region of the country, from April 22 to 27.

Although some Nigerian actors and actresses participated at CAMIFF, prominent Cameroonian movie figures like Kang Quintus, Syndy Emade, Otia Vitalis, among others, were notably absent.

©Mimi Mefo Info