NEW STRIDES FOR CFI

The Cameroon Film Industry had an Elective General Assembly on Saturday 6th August 2022 at Mountain Hotel Buea, Southwest Region, Cameroon. The theme for this year 2022 is UNITING CFI FOR A SUSTAINABLE INDUSTRY. The meeting was originally scheduled to hold in June 2022, but was pushed forward to August for reasons not disclosed to the public. It is worth noting that they had due Authorizations from the Divisional Officer to carry out their manifestation. The last election took place in Limbe, Southwest Region, Cameroon three years ago (2019).

Some aspects in the agenda included, welcoming the Chief of Cinematography and Audiovisual Productions at the Delegation of Arts and Culture for the Southwest Region, representing the Minister, opening prayers, a refrain of the National Anthem, a speech presented by the interim president of the CFI, reading of the minutes of the last General Assembly, reports from various Guilds by their presidents or representatives, a deliberative session, lunch, the election phase, closing prayers, and the After Party. The agenda was divided into two phases; Part One contained all the fore mentioned activities except the Election phase, and Closing Prayers which were the articles in Part Two of the Agenda.

Of major interests were the reports from Guilds Leaders, the deliberative session, and the crux of the day, the Elective phase. The reports read out by various Guilds provoked questions and opinions from members of the Guilds as well as those who showed up only as observers. A case in point was when a member of the Directors Guild Agbor Leonard – Director of Not At My Funeral spoke about the way Cameroonian Actors are treated while on set with Nigerian Actors on a Cameroonian Set. He said the Nigerian actors always receive luxurious treatments, living in pump and splendor; all living expenses paid while they worked on set while Cameroonian Actors had to “find their way”, taking care of their welfare; feeding, hotel/Inn bills. He out rightly expressed his dislike for such discriminatory behaviour practiced by Directors and Producers in the CFI. The acting chair lady, Mme. Elung Brenda addressed his worry, assuring the audience present that it would be looked into.

Another interesting question was why some Guilds for instance the notoriety of the Marketers/Distributors Guild was never addressed by the board. In the words of an observer “why is it that some Guilds, for example the Marketers Guild always bring up Plan of Action to every GA, without showing or reporting on the previous year’s Action carried out from the plan of Action? And would they still show forth a plan of action for the coming year without implementing the actions to produce results?”

This question was sort of a lemon in the mouths of many members of the Guilds as it indeed cut deep. The Chair lady assured everyone that the issue was being addressed.

It is worth stating that the Script Writers Guild as well as that of the Marketers/Distributors are both babies in the CFI as they have had multiple issues which in one way or the other impeded their growth. However, an assurance was issued from both leaders of both Guilds to work harder and in total collaboration with the other Guilds to build their Guilds up.

Another poking ember was raised by Popular Comedian MC Mola who stated the need for a local base for the CFI. One which would be responsible for making available to the general public copies of CFI Movies. It is no news that most Movies end at their Premiers, the common man hardly ever gets to watch movies from the CFI. Apart from those which made the Netflix deals, which still inhibits many Cameroonians (a vast majority of the population are unable to afford Netflix Accounts for various reasons) from enjoying movies made on home soil by Cameroonians, all others remained unseen to the population which is supposed to consume, appreciate the works of the various Guilds and the CFI.

The bone of contention for this General Assembly held was to elect new board members for the CFI, who would have a three year term of office, which is renewable. A point to take home would be the resignation of the President Emeritus sometime last year due to multiple responsibilities he had on his plate. As per the CFI Constitution, the Vice President had to take over effective immediate.

The Guilds presented their delegates who would represent them at the board and then the delegates went into conclave to vote those who will handle the different posts of responsibility. The various Guilds elect their delegates beforehand and then present them to the General Assembly

The results of the election was well welcomed by all present as the believe in the capacity of the new “government” greatly outweighed any doubt in the choices made. Mme. Elung Brenda was reelected Board Chair, which was highly celebrated. The choice of new Board members was very much appreciated and accepted by everyone, it was a blend of old and new faces in the CFI. The Chief of Cinematography and Audiovisual Productions congratulated them for their new offices. It is hoped that the new board of CFI can tackle pertinent issues which act as drawbacks in the Industry, to help it grow and expand.

NEWLY INSTALLED CFI BOARD MEMBERS AND THEIR POSITIONS

1) Chair person: Mme Brenda Elung

2) Vice chair: Mr. Billy Bob Ndive Lifongo

3) Secretary General: Mr. Alasambom Nyincho

4) Assistant Secretary General: Mr. Palmer Ngale Mbua

5) Financial Secretary: Mme Elizo Lumnwi

6) Treasurer: Mme Itambi Delphine

7) Organizing Secretary: Mr. Tanwi Elvis

8) Communication Secretary: Mr. Ivan Elive Namme

9) Public Relations Officer 1: Mr. Godlove Neba Nyambi Junior

10) Public Relations Officer 2: Mr. Anurin Nwunembom

11) Public Relations Officer 3: Mme Stephanie Daniella

12) Protocol Officer: Mr. Etoh Benata

13) 1st Adviser : Mme Juliette Siri

14) 2nd Adviser: Mr. Takong Delvis

DIASPORA REPRESENTATIVES

15) North America: Mr. Claudio Oben

16) North America: Pending.

17) Europe: Mme Roseline Fonkwa

A stimulating exercise was put in place by the Chair Lady; everyone who wished to would write a suitable theme for the CFI to be used in the year 2023 and the winner would have a cash prize at the end of the day. Two people emerged winner as their themes were joined together to form one powerful theme: Rebranding the Film Industry for Better Visibility, Tackling the Dynamics of a Global Digital Evolution. ‘A’ list actor Epule Jeffery and Star Comedian MC Mola both went home with the cash prize worth 20,000CFA split equally.

Pin down points

This was the 5th Electoral General Assembly. The last General Assembly held in Douala on the 1st of August 2021, and had over 51 atrendees.

The President of the Actors Guild Mr. Takum Fred gave a reminder of the Guild’s General Assembly which is to be held on 26th November 2022. He equally stated that the Guild has 125 registered actors, whereas there are many more out there. He urged every actor still to be registered under the Guild to do so.

The Board charged every Guild to hold Masterclasses for their Members at least twice a year.

The President of the Directors Guild Mr. Musing Derrick also put out a reminder for their General Assembly which would go down on the 21st of August 2022 in Limbe.

An important rock hit at the meeting was the elimination of the issue of disrespect within the Industry. This has repeatedly prescribed the CFI as a body which does not have hierarchy, mutual respect, and discipline guarding and guiding their actions. As a result of many instances which hve painted a bad picture to the masses, as well as newbies in the Industry who go in with little to no respect for the experienced, and veterans. The President of the Board, harped on the importance of mutual respect, and the respect for hierarchy, as it is one of the ways which would Foster the CFI, and the Entertainment Industry as a whole.

Madam Elung Brenda also talked about the institution of fines, sanctions, suspensions, on defaulters who failed to work in line with the tenets of the CFI. She also made it known to the Assembly, that in far reaching cases the Delegation of Cinematography and Audiovisual productions would be alerted and due action taken, this includes suspension, cancellation, and withdrawal of permits, sending the forces of law and order on those who falter.

The production of good quality movies, not just for Netflix, or any other broad marketing avenue but also for local consumption. This would build a solid base for the CFI in Cameroon, the audience would be able to consume, and enjoy Cameroonian films, and this would give a better face to the CFI as it would be properly known at home and abroad that Cameroonian Movies are indeed good, and worth viewing.

The various Guilds talked of working more collaboratively with each other to alleviate the issues laid down by the Script Writers Guild and the Marketers/Distributors Guild, hence build the CFI to a more solid state. The Script Writers Guild brought up issues plaguing them such Producers purchasing Scripts from non Guild members which in turn does not Foster the growth of the Guild, as it gives them no reference and no revenue.