Young Filmmaker Days 2021 : 3 intense days of exchanges of experience

The CinéCamer association team has once again taken up the challenge of organising the Young Filmmaker Days (YFD) in Yaoundé. Three days of activities devoted to cinema and the actors of this milieu which has been booming in Cameroon for several years. After several weeks of assiduous communication on social networks and in the media, the YFD effectively started on February 11, 2021 at the Sita Bella theatre in Yaounde with an opening ceremony full of emotion. The programme of this evening included a red carpet, a People photo shoot and the presence of several personalities from the Cameroonian cinema and cultural and media universe such as Bassek Ba Kobhion, Narcisse Kouokam, Celine Victoria Fosto, etc.. But the highlight of the opening night was the screening of two short films that conquered the audience: One Week by Rostand Wandja and Into The Den by Joseph Akama.

Ateliers et échanges

Several activities marked this 4th edition of the Young Filmmaker Days. In addition to film screenings, the festival team placed particular emphasis on workshops led by film professionals for young people who want to get into the profession. From the script workshop led by Esthéline Fomat to the Personal Branding workshop led by Celine Victoria Fotso, through acting, production and distribution workshops led by Cynthia Elisabeth Ngono and Flavienne Tchatat respectively, the public was spoilt for choice. The workshop that certainly made the biggest impression on the audience was the one led by the sponsor of the event, director Cyrille Masso. A workshop during which the filmmaker shared his experience of more than 30 years in the film industry and made specific contributions to the various issues raised.

Although the festival did not put much emphasis on the promotion of the selected films, giving priority to other activities, the public present nevertheless had the opportunity to discover good films. Apart from the two opening films which were well received, other films also seduced the public, such as Cuisine Mondiale by Steve Kamdeu, a film which has already won awards in several other festivals, Karma by Laura Targha, l’Hôpital by Stella Tchuisseu. A series of films that try to fit into the daily lives of their audiences but which demonstrate the constant progression of young local filmmakers and their desire to propose new approaches to the way stories are told.

Récompenses

The YFD ended on 13 February with a rain of awards. The company Waves Film Production, led by filmmaker Simon William Kum who had launched a competition during the festival, committed to producing two short films by two young directors. The same company has committed to distribute the two opening films. The sponsor of the event decided to offer two grants. A training grant in directing awarded to Oumarou Sanda, director of the short film Le Gestionnaire. He will be trained for 10 days by director Françoise Ellong and will receive full support for the making of his first feature film.    The second bursary was awarded to actress Thérèse Ayoung, who will receive training in driving. The appointment has therefore been made for next year.

AYILA