Cameroon International Film Festival
 | |
| Location | Buea, Cameroon |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2016 |
| Founded by | Agbor Gilbert Ebot |
| Awards | Cameroon International Film Festival Award |
| Language | International |
| Website | camiff |
Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF) is an annual film festival in Buea, Cameroon.[1] created by actor and producer Agbor Gilbert Ebot in 2016.[2] The goals of the festival is to create a platform where African and Cameroonian films can be showcased, cross-cultural exchanges made, and the growth of the domestic film industry promoted.
In addition to film screenings and industry events, CAMIFF also serves as an awards platform, recognizing outstanding achievements in African filmmaking.[3]
History
The festival was publicly declared in a press conference in Yaoundé on 30th January, 2016. The Cameroon International Film Festival (CAMIFF), was founded by Agbor Gilbert Ebot and conducted its first edition in Buea, Cameroon, South-West Region from 24th to 30th April, 2016.[4][2]
The origin of the festival was motivated by a tour of the Africa International Film Festival in Calabar, Nigeria.[2] According to Ebot, during his time in Nigeria, he had the chance of observing the development of the film industry in Nigeria and was inspired to create a platform where international buyers would be attracted and create opportunities for English-speaking filmmakers in Cameroon. According to CAMIFF organizers, the purpose of the festival was to unite people from all film-related professions such as actors, directors, scriptwriters, cinematographers, sound engineers, editors, lighting technicians, and students, as well as manufacturers of cinematographic equipment and media people in general.[4]
CAMIFF's first edition was organized with the sponsorship of the Ministry of Arts and Culture of Cameroon and the Embassy of the United States of America in Cameroon. According to the organizers, the emergence of this festival was motivated by the lack of film festivals in Cameroon. The number of films submitted for the competition for the first edition was 600 films, and it went up to 1,215 films in the second edition. And went above 2,000 films in preparation for the third edition. Additionally, the festival faced some financial challenges due to lack of sponsorship from private firms and even government institutions.[4]
The festival’s first edition featured notable attendees including Cameroon’s Minister of Arts and Culture, Narcisse Mouelle Kombi, as well as actors Ramsey Nouah and Ruth Nkweti.[5] The third edition was held from April 23 to 28, 2018.
The fourth edition faced multiple postponements. Initially scheduled for April 22 to 27, 2019, in Buea,[6] it was cancelled due to heightened tensions related to the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon.[7] A second postponement occurred in 2020, with plans to reschedule in April 2021 disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[8][9] The ninth edition took place in April 2025.[10]
Format and activities
The week-long festival includes film screenings, panel discussions, masterclasses, workshops, and networking sessions. It welcomes entries in various categories including feature films, short films, documentaries, and student films. The festival also hosts red carpet events, award ceremonies, and cultural exhibitions that celebrate the diversity of African storytelling.[11]
Notable guests and collaborations
Over the years, CAMIFF has hosted several notable African and international filmmakers, actors, and producers. Guests have included Nollywood actors like Ramsey Nouah and Richard Mofe-Damijo,[12] as well as filmmakers from the United States, Europe, and other parts of Africa.[13][4]
The festival has also formed partnerships with film organizations such as the Pan African Film Festival (PAFF) in Los Angeles and the Zanzibar International Film Festival, aiming to promote cross-cultural collaborations.[14]
Awards categories
Each year, CAMIFF presents awards in categories such as:
- Best Feature Film
- Best Short Film
- Best Documentary
- Best Actor and Actress
- Best Director
- Best Student Film
The awards are intended to recognize excellence in filmmaking and acting, and to encourage young and emerging talent in Africa.
List of common film awards categories
2016 (CAMIFF) Awards
| Award | Winner |
|---|
2017 (CAMIFF) Awards
| Awards | Winners |
| Best feature film | Overnight Flies |
| Best short film | Enemy of Time |
| Best documentary film | Africa |
| Best Cameroon film | Kiss of Death |
| Best Actor | Thierry Ntamack |
| Best Actress | Onyama Laura |
| Best Director | Georg Tiller |
| Lifetime achievement Award | Tangyie Peter Suh-Nfor |
2024 (CAMIFF) Awards[15]
| Awards | Winners | Ref |
| Best Actor | Enyinna Nwigwe (Nigeria) | [16][17] |
2025 (CAMIFF) Awards
| Awards | Winners |
| Best feature International film | Conversations In Transit (Nigeria) |
| Best short International film | Superman Doesn't Steal (USA) |
| Best Documentary film | Godsterminal (Austria) |
| Best Online Social Content Creator | Akamba Comedia (Audienc Choice Award) |
| Best Overall Actor | Richard Mofe-Damijo |
| Best Overall Actress | Jeanne Benti |
| Best Cameroon Film | The Dead Man's Wish |
| Best Cameroon Actor | Otia Vitalise Suh - (The Dead Man's Wish) |
| Best Cameroon Actress | Lum Nora Neba |
| Best short film Cameroon | Kuma- Weight Of Silence |
| Best Film Director | Robert Peters (Conversation In Transit) |
| Best Screenplay | Kismet |
| Best Cinematographer | Takong Delvis (The Dead Man's Wish) |
| Honorary Awards | Chioma Ude (Nigeria) |
| Best Tv Series | Ewusu |
| Best Community Film | His Word (Douala Film Community) |
Impact
CAMIFF has significantly contributed to the growth of Cameroon’s film industry by attracting international attention, providing a space for professional development, and encouraging the production and distribution of high-quality films. It has also helped to position Buea as a cultural hub in the region.[18]
References
- ↑ "CAMIFF2017: Buea To Host Cameroon Film Festival". www.cameroon-tribune.cm. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- 1 2 3 ""2,228 Films For CAMIFF 2018"". www.cameroon-tribune.cm. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "Cameroon International Film Festival - CAMIFF". FilmFreeway. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- 1 2 3 4 "Mind-blowing film festival to take place in Buea". CamerounWeb (in French). 2016-02-08. Archived from the original on 2025-10-18. Retrieved 2026-05-24.
- ↑ "CAMIFF is heading for the sky – Minister's representative says at opening night". Cameroon News Agency. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "War-hit Cameroonian town holds film festival as movies get Netflix boost". Arab News. 2021-04-23. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "2019 Cameroon film festival cancelled over violence". The EastAfrican. 2020-08-18. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ Tombe, Louvier Kindo (2020-04-10). "CAMIFF Suffers Second Postponement". News Upfront. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "War-hit Cameroonian town holds film festival as movies get Netflix boost". Reuters. Archived from the original on 2021-05-18. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "Cameroon International Film Festival: 9thEdition Underway In Buea". www.cameroon-tribune.cm. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ Owolabi, Adekunle (2025-03-14). "CAMIFF 2025 to Showcase African Cinema in Buea". The Africa Daily Post. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ BellaNaija.com (2017-05-05). "Veteran Actor Ramsey Nouah Attends The Cameroon International Film Festival + See Full List of Winners". BellaNaija. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "CAMIFF 2017: Cameroon Film Festival Round-Up". www.cameroon-tribune.cm. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "United States (U.S.) Ambassador Reaffirms Commitment to Peace and Partnership in the Southwest Region - Africa.com". africa.com. 2025-05-03. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ Yuven, Benoit (2024-04-29). "DID CAMIFF 2024 LIVE UP TO THE HYPE?". The Premier Hub for News, Lifestyle, and Entertainment among African Diaspora. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ Kan, Toni (2024-05-07). "Enyinna Nwigwe emerges overall best actor at CAMIFF 2024". The Lagos Review. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ Abulude, Samuel (2024-05-11). "Nigerian Wins Outstanding Best Actor @ Cameroon International Film Festival". Leadership. Retrieved 2025-05-06.
- ↑ "CAMIFF: The International festival begging local attention - The Ultimate Media Group". 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2025-05-06.