Its CAMIFF season in Buea Cameroon and it’s that period of the year where the famous and rising stars of the country’s movie and entertainment industry make the highest costume investment as they battle with each other in a weekly display of star power, fashion taste and well, maybe money.
The Cameroons International Film festival CAMIFF is a forum which brings together Actors, Filmmakers, Film critics, comedians and other celebrities.
Over the years, the festival has flown into the country famous movie names like ;Ramsey Noah, Zack Orji, Nadia Buhari and hosts of other high profile African celebrities.
Film makers in the United States, Canada and other western countries have also been in attendance and this year is not very different.
While this year doesn’t particularly feature any identifiable household name in the continent’s movie industry, this edition is still filled with some International guests
However, it may seem that the local celebrities stealing the show.
Amidst endless tears from organizers about not getting the necessary financial support from government as it should, Anglophone celebrities are still relishing the moment.
Rising comedians Aunti Feli, Caro, Dorcas, Bloggers like Laura Brown, CLaris and many other movie executives like;Stephanie Tum; Famous actors like Laura and a host of others are gracing the event in style.
The festival provides rare moments for celebrities to come together. This year is particularly different because Anglophone celebrities are gradually winning hearts at home and abroad.
Anglophone celebrities have been displaying opulence, outlandish fashion and enjoying their rising popularity as the few guests who recognized them scramble for photos.
However, behind those beautiful faces, impressive fashion display and rising star power, the existential financial woes which CAMIFF is facing is a reflection of the country’s struggling entertainment industry.
While most of those people in the hall can easily be identified in the streets of Buea, their celebrity status has failed to bring them the kind of riches their counterparts in other countries enjoy.
While some blame the government for lack of support, entertainment in the country and its online restrictions have made content creators to struggle over monetizing their social media handles and earning from their craft.
Rising and fierce competition from established industries like; Nigeria and Ghana means Cameroonian entertainers have a steep slope to climb if they wish to enjoy the benefits of their star power.
While they cannot boast of a healthy bank account or brand new Bentley or attractive mansions of their own, many of them like organizers of CAMIFF are hoping some day they too can be considered as “A” list celebrities at the level of the continent.
